Green Bay Packers 2021 NFL Draft grades: Needs addressed very well
49. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive Line. Royce Newman. 142. Mississippi. player
The Green Bay Packers continued where they left off in 2020, throwing more picks at the offensive line on day three of the 2021 NFL Draft. In a year that deviated a lot athleticism-wise from Gutekunst’s trends, one thing stayed true. The Packers still value offensive linemen with tackle experience, and they got one in the fourth round in Mississippi’s Royce Newman.
Newman played in 43 games in his career at Ole Miss and started his last two seasons for the Rebels. In 2019, Newman started all 12 games at left guard and allowed just one sack in 416 pass-blocking reps. Newman made the move to right tackle in 2020 and allowed just two sacks in 430 pass-blocking snaps.
While he may not be an imposing player at the point of attack and won’t be the nasty finisher, Newman is as solid as they come in pass protection, using his fleet feet to mirror rushers and keep himself well-positioned.
The Packers will have healthy competition in training camp with all these young offensive linemen, where the cream of the crop will rise. The selection of Newman was a fine one. There’s a slight chance that he could end up being the long-term replacement for Billy Turner at right tackle, but at the very least he could end up a starting guard.
Grade: B-