Packers believe Zach Tom has Hall of Fame potential at center

Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Zach Tom (50) blocks Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns (0) as quarterback Jordan Love (10) attempts to pass in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers believe Zach Tom — who started all 17 games and was excellent at right tackle last season — has Hall of Fame potential at center, according to reporting from Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

“I was told by a couple of people within the organization, they think Zach Tom is a Pro Bowl right tackle, an All-Pro guard and a potential Hall of Fame center,” Demovsky said on the “Wilde and Tausch Show” on Friday.

Demovsky said it was a “direct quote” from someone in the building. The information arrived after Demovsky was asked if Josh Myers — who is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2024 — would be on the team in 2025. Demovsky answered no and then shared his belief that Tom would be the long-term answer at center.

Tom, 25, played all but four of his 1,068 snaps at right tackle last season (the other four came at center). As a rookie, Tom played snaps at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle. He has five-position ability along the offensive line, giving the Packers attractive options for building out the best five in front of Jordan Love.

If Tom does move to center full time, the Packers could have Myers switch to guard and compete with Sean Rhyan at right guard while likely using a draft pick — potentially one of the team’s five in the top 100 of this year’s draft — to find the new starting right tackle. The 2024 draft class is littered with options at offensive tackle, even towards the end of the first round and into Day 2. The Packers found Tom in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. Rasheed Walker, the expected starter at left tackle, was a seventh-round pick in 2022.

There would be risk in moving Tom, who was terrific at right tackle, a key position. Last season, Tom allowed only two sacks and two quarterback hits across almost 700 pass-blocking snaps. An elite athlete, he is excellent at mirroring rushers despite lacking elite size and length.

If Tom doesn’t move inside, the Packers would need to use the draft to add immediate competition at center and guard. Myers has been too inconsistent through his first three seasons and will be a free agent following the 2024 season, and Rhyan has limited experience and was only so-so as a rotational player in 2023.

Two big questions for the Packers: Is a Hall of Fame caliber center more valuable than a Pro Bowl caliber right tackle? And can they find a capable starting right tackle if Tom moves to center?

At Wake Forest, Tom started 23 games at left tackle and 14 games at center. The Packers took Tom with the 140th pick in the 2022 draft.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers believe Zach Tom has Hall of Fame potential at center