The League’s Newest Trend Could Fix the Packers’ Biggest Problem — If They’re Bold Enough to Act.QQ
Green Bay has the roster depth to make the most out of a personnel grouping that has been more common in the NFL this season.
Tucker Kraft can do everything. He is a good blocker, a solid receiver, and great at creating yards after the catch. So there’s no way around it, the Green Bay Packers will need different fronts of effort to overcome his absence for the rest of the season.
One recent NFL trend, however, might offer a solution to address part of the problem.
Personnel groupings with six o-linemen are en vogue around the NFL
Football analyst Tej Seth posted (on Twitter, X) the data with six-lineman personnel usage, which has gone significantly up this season — both in terms of rate and success.
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Compared to last year, the rate of offensive plays with six offensive linemen on the field jumped from 3.2 percent to 4.1 percent, and the success rate of those plays went from 39.6 percent to 43.8 percent. The leader in that regard is the Arizona Cardinals (78 plays), but 12 teams have at least 20 snaps with six linemen — the Packers have had one, with Anthony Belton at tight end during the Washington Commanders game in Week 2.
It’s still a relatively recent development, and there will be more time to evaluate its effectiveness and sustainability. But it’s a tool the Packers can use, mainly because the new starting tight end, Luke Musgrave, is not a reliable blocker.
Tools to play with six offensive linemen
So far this season, the Packers have played primarily with an 11 personnel — one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers. The rate is 55.62 percent, via Sumer Sports. However, the team used a lot of 12 personnel (37.83 percent), with two tight ends on the field.
That rate will likely decrease significantly without Kraft, even though it’s still possible to run it with Musgrave and John FitzPatrick.
The Packers even used 13 personnel on 2.86 percent of the plays, but that grouping will likely go away despite the promotion of Josh Whyle to the active roster.
To compensate for that, and to create those plays with an extra blocker, the Packers could enter the trend to use a sixth offensive lineman.
The Packers have had so many o-lineman injuries early in the season that eight different players have played significant snaps — Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, and Darian Kinnard. While the group hasn’t necessarily been impressive, those are all capable players. Kinnard, in particular among the backups, has been a solid run-blocker.
A formation where Kinnard or Rhyan enters the field to create extra push upfront could be an alternative to run the ball in must-have situations effectively. Belton could also be used, but more in pass-protection scenarios, and the Packers have the weapons to be effective with fewer players running routes down the field.
The Packers will need several layers to replace what Kraft does. Musgrave is the receiving tight end, John FitzPatrick can block and play special teams, and wide receiver Jayden Reed will help with yards after the catch when he’s back from a shoulder injury. But that new trend can help as well, and the Packers have the roster depth to do it.
