Here’s a name we hadn’t considered as a potential replacement for departed right guard T.J. Lang — Kyle Murphy.
Murphy was drafted as a right tackle, but he’s lighter than both Bryan Bulaga and Lang. Murphy is listed at 304 pounds, while Lang is listed at 318. He also has a little experience at right guard.
Although he barely played in 2016, the Packers moved Murphy inside during the latter part of the season after Lang injured his foot.
If the Packers don’t draft Lang’s replacement, we’ll likely be treated to a competition between Murphy, Don Barclay and perhaps Lucas Patrick.
We would still give the edge to Barclay in that competition. He has starting experience and has shown he’s much better at guard than he was at tackle.
The Packers re-signed him on the first day of free agency for this very reason — they thought they might lose Lang.
Still, Murphy has a shot. He has a stronger pedigree than Barclay, coming from Stanford, he says he’s bulking up to 315 and he’s motivated to earn playing time.
Just as important here is the fact that if the Packers think they have their guy in Barclay or Murphy, they can focus on other positions of need in the draft.