The Most Important Packers: No. 9 — Zach Tom

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Hardly. Try restock, reload and continue chasing greatness.

Green Bay traded away future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in April, 2023, then fielded the NFL’s youngest roster a year ago.

Most believed the Packers — who missed the postseason in 2022 — would take another step back in 2023. Instead, Green Bay reached the playoffs, upset Dallas in the Wild Card round and had eventual NFC champion San Francisco on the ropes before fading in the divisional playoffs.

Now, with the overwhelming majority of that ascending roster back, a gifted quarterback in Jordan Love, and some key offseason additions, the Packers will return as one of the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.

“My mindset is coming back 1% better so we can have the season that we want and that’s to be a championship team and go to the Super Bowl and hold the Lombardi,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “That’s our goal and the main thing.”

Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 22. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2024 campaign.

At No. 9 is right tackle Zach Tom.

No. 9

Zach Tom, RT

Last season

Tom beat out veteran Yosh Nijman for the starting right tackle job in training camp, then delivered a terrific season.

In 1,068 snaps last season, Tom allowed just two sacks, had only three penalties and ranked 18th out of 89 eligible offensive tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking efficiency metric.

Tom more than held his own against elite pass rushers such as Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson (twice), San Francisco’s Nick Bosa, Oakland’s Maxx Crosby, Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, the Chargers’ Khalil Mack and Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter.

Career to date

Tom, a fourth round draft pick in 2022, started five games and played in nine as a rookie. Four of Tom’s starts came at left tackle and the other was at left guard.

Tom gave up just one sack in 489 offensive snaps in 2022 and finished with a grade of 68.3 from Pro Football Focus.

“He’s versatile, like we like,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Tom. “I thought coming out that his best spot might be center. I think he could do that very well. The way he played at tackle and guard (in 2022) maybe opened my eyes that he’s got maybe more potential there, as well.”

Outlook

Tom suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights at the team’s facility in April.

“I was in here getting a lift and it just happened,” Tom said.

Tom had surgery in mid-April and doctors estimated his recovery time would be between eight and 12 weeks. Tom didn’t participate in OTA’s or mini-camp, but is expected to be cleared at the start — or early portion — of training camp.

“No long term concern,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “He will be a guy that we anticipate back for camp.”

When that happens, Tom is likely to resume his spot at right tackle, where he established himself as one of the NFL’s best at that position last year. There’s also a chance Tom could slide to center, a position the Packers believe might be his best.

“Even despite what I’ve already done, this isn’t an injury you want to rush back from,” Tom said. “You just want to take it day by day and, when I come back, I’ll be ready to go.”

Comments

“However many sacks I gave up (in 2023) is too many. This was really my first year starting and I was able to go up against some of those premier guys. Learned a lot. Now, this year, come back even better. I’ve got big goals in mind for this year.” — Tom on his 2023 season

“He played really well at right tackle (in 2023), you know what I mean, and so to move him around I think, on the coaching staff, will be hard. But at the same time he's probably a guy that can play all five spots and I think he could be really good at all five of 'em, so it'll be just dependent on what we have and where we need him.” — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on where Tom fits best

“He did a great job. He provides so much flexibility because he’s played multiple positions, so that really affords you the best opportunity to get the best five out there, wherever it may fall. So, we know what he can do obviously at right tackle. We’ve got a large sample size and we feel really good about that. It’ll sort itself out eventually down the road.” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on where to play Tom

THE TOP 30

• No. 30 — RB AJ Dillon

• No. 29 — LB Isaiah McDuffie

• No. 28 — CB Carrington Valentine

• No. 27 — TE Tucker Kraft

• No. 26 — LB Edgerrin Cooper

• No. 25 — DE Lukas Van Ness

• No. 24 — Keisean Nixon

• No. 23 — WR Dontayvion Wicks

• No. 22 — OL Jordan Morgan

• No. 21 — DL T.J. Slaton

• No. 20 — OL Sean Rhyan

• No. 19 — DL Devonte Wyatt

• No. 18 — OL Rasheed Walker

• No. 17 — S Javon Bullard

• No. 16 — CB Eric Stokes

• No. 15 — C Josh Myers

• No. 14 — TE Luke Musgrave

• No. 13 — LB Quay Walker

• No. 12 — DE Preston Smith

• No. 11 — WR Christian Watson

• No. 10 — WR Romeo Doubs