​The Green Bay Packers began otas carrying questions about their offensive line after the offseason departures of Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker. Those losses, along with the departures of receivers Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, create a scenario where the offense will need some of its younger players to rise to the challenge this fall. Among the potential breakout performers for 2025 is Anthony Belton, the Packers’ 2025 second-round pick. ESPN’s Ben Solak labeled Belton a breakout candidate for Green Bay, emphasizing that his transition from offensive tackle to offensive guard was a smart move that could pay huge dividends. Solak believes Belton may have a promising future inside the line’s interior, describing the shift as a turning point that could unlock his best football.
“I never liked the idea of Belton as the developmental tackle — I just didn’t see enough foot speed there to survive against top-tier edge rushers,” Solak wrote. “But now that the Packers have finished experimenting with Belton as a swing tackle and committed to playing him at right guard, I see a rosy future.” Solak noted that Belton’s rookie-season performance at guard was uneven, which is understandable given that he played college left tackle and had limited interior-line reps before entering the regular season. “I’m willing to wash most of that down the drain,” he added, signaling belief that Belton’s transition could yield improved results in the interior.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has long trusted the running game as the offense’s foundation, though that approach could evolve this fall. It’s reasonable to anticipate the Packers leaning on Belton to anchor the right guard spot, potentially superseding Aaron Banks as the lineup’s interior fulcrum. Solak highlighted Belton’s combination of size, flexibility, and power as attributes that could make him a defining force in the Packers’ running game—an area the team clearly prioritizes, given its typical shotgun formations and the need for substantial vertical push to create running lanes.
In this outlook, Banks and Belton both face significant expectations. Banks, who entered free agency with questions about his 2023 performance, was anticipated to be a key linchpin for Green Bay. With Belton now in the mix and having spent a full offseason focusing on interior-line development, Solak suggested that Belton could emerge as the more impactful interior presence. The Packers will rely on both players to elevate the offense, especially in a season where the line’s stability remains a central concern.
As the regular season approaches, the offensive line remains a question mark for a team that believes it should be contending for a postseason berth. The Packers will need Banks and Belton to seize the opportunity and deliver a sturdier interior presence. The right guard position, in particular, could become a focal point of the offense’s success, with Belton’s development potentially reshaping the dynamic of Green Bay’s run game. If Belton can translate his interior versatility and physical traits into consistent performance, he could play a pivotal role in stabilizing the unit and enabling the team to sustain drives and generate more yardage on the ground. With the ongoing evaluation of the line and the ongoing pursuit of postseason contention, Belton’s progress will be a key storyline for Green Bay as OTAs transition into training camp and the regular season.