The Packers’ 2014 draft class was highly-regarded, and their first three picks all ended up making significant contributions to the team within three years of being drafted. That’s a great start. Now, it’s time to add in some new players to the mix, like Jake Ryan, who was selected in the fifth-round and is getting a chance to start next to Clay Matthews.
As everyone knows, Aaron Rodgers is a starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, and it’s no secret what a huge role he plays in the team’s success. But the Pack are going to need to find another long-term replacement for him at some point, and that’s where this year’s draft class comes in. While the Packers have picked up Eric Kendricks and Jaire Alexander in the first round, they’ve also picked up two more players in the fourth round, the likes of J’Mon Moore and Marquez Valdez-Scantling.
In the first round of the NFL’s draft, the Green Bay Packers selected running back Jamaal Williams, a three-down player who can contribute early and be a trusted back for Aaron Rodgers. It was a curious pick, given that the Packers already have Ty Montgomery, who led the team in rushing a year ago. But Williams has the talent to be a good NFL running back, so there’s a lot to be excited about.
Now that everything about Aaron Rodgers’ connection with the Green Bay Packers has been made public, it seems as though he can finally return to addressing regular, day-to-day football questions. At least for the time being. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in a few months. Anyway, one of those standard questions came up over the weekend when the reigning NFL MVP was asked to identify a player who may not be widely known but who might have a significant effect when the 2021 NFL season starts. And his decision to go with rookie center Josh Myers may surprise some.
At Ohio State, Josh Myers earned a two-time All-Big Ten pick.
Myers, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 310 pounds, was born and reared in Miamisburg, Ohio. He earned a Division II All-State pick as a junior and senior at Miamisburg High School, where he played guard. In 2016, Myers was named a USA Today All-American as a senior, and he was selected to play in the 2017 All-American Bowl with Chase Young, Tua Tagovailoa, and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
He enrolled at Ohio State after graduation and redshirted his rookie year as he transitioned from guard to center. Myers started 10 games as a redshirt freshman before moving to the starting lineup in 2019, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors while leading the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff.
On his route to leading Ohio State reach the national championship game, he was elected a team captain for the 2020 season and was awarded a First-Team All-Big 10 pick.
During Packers training camp, Myers made an impression on Aaron Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at training camp on July 29, 2021 | Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Myers decided to forego his last year of eligibility at Columbus in order to enter the 2021 NFL Draft, where he was selected 62nd overall by the Packers in the second round. As training camp progressed, he began to receive more repetitions and turned a few heads, including that of the guy to whom he’ll be snapping the ball.
“I’m going to go with the center, Josh Myers. It’s really remarkable for a draft choice to come in as a rookie and be that comfortable.”
Packers rookie center Aaron Rodgers Myers, Josh
Given that Rodgers has had some issues with the Packers’ draft choices in recent years, a remark like that had to make Myers feel good, particularly since he’s stepping into such large shoes.
He’ll be taking over for another Ohio State star.
The Packers selected Myers in the first round after losing their starting center for the previous seven years, Corey Linsley, who also attended Ohio State. Linsley was selected a First-Team All-Pro despite missing three weeks due to a knee injury late in the 2020 season, which benefited him in free agency, as he is now the highest-paid center in the NFL after signing a five-year, $62.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in the summer.
Thus, once again, Myers has huge shoes to fill, but it seems like he’s doing a decent job so far. Having a player like Aaron Rodgers on your side definitely helps. The Packers face the Houston Texans in their first preseason game on Saturday, August 14, and the New Orleans Saints in the league’s inaugural 17-game regular season on Sunday, September 12.
Cris Collinsworth was a huge fan of Aaron Rodgers’ press conference in which he vented his frustrations with the Packers.
With the 2016 NFL Draft in the books, the Green Bay Packers have snagged a pretty big deal. Wideout Taywan Taylor, picked up in the third round, is a big deal. Not because he’s a big receiver, but because he’s the heir apparent to Jordy Nelson as the Packers’ No. 1 receiver.. Read more about aaron rodgers ‘passive-aggressive and let us know what you think.
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