Zach Tom's Ascension: The Rising Star of NFL Right Tackles
Pro Football Focus' Top Right Tackles Ranking Rates Zach Tom Third
NFL's Prospective Right Tackle, Zach Tom, Feels He's On The Verge Of Claiming Top Spot in League
Green Bay Packers' ace right tackle, Zach Tom, has proven his mettle, securing the third spot in the latest Pro Football Focus rankings for top right tackles in the NFL.
Tom, on the cusp of his contract year, confidently asserts that he's nearly ready to assume the title of the best right tackle in the game. "I ain't that far off, mate," Tom declared during a recent interview. "I just got to hone my technique and be more consistent with it. When I'm at my best, I'm the fucking best in the league. Just need to make it a regular thing."
A Fourth Round Draft Pick Racing Towards Greatness
Selected as the 137th overall draft pick in 2022, Tom showcased his potential with impressive appearances in five games as a rookie, playing a total of nine. Four of his starts were at left tackle, with the other at left guard. Tom's impeccable play resulted in only a single sack surrendered across 489 offensive snaps, earning him a grade of 68.3 from Pro Football Focus.
Celebrating Back-to-Back Remarkable Seasons
In the 2023 season, Tom outperformed veteran Yosh Nijman to secure the starting right tackle spot. His exceptional performance over 1,068 snaps included surrendering just two sacks, committing only three penalties, and ranking 15th among eligible offensive tackles, scoring a respectable 79.7 from PFF.
Marred by Injury, but Tough as Nails
Tom seemingly overcame a major setback in 2024 when he tore his pectoral muscle while lifting weights at the Packers' facility. A true fighter, Tom managed to recover before the start of the next season, appearing in all 17 games and contributing significantly to the Packers' defense, allowing the second-fewest number of sacks in the league (22).
Chasing the Top Spot, Eyes on the Prize
Tom's overall PFF grade of 85.8 ranked sixth among all tackles, while his run-blocking grade of 87.8 placed him third among right tackles. "I ain't satisfied being the 10th-best tackle in the league," Tom admitted. "I want to be the fucking best, and I ain't gonna settle for less."
The Road to Being the Best Comes with a Price
Detroit's Penei Sewell leads the NFL's highest-paid right tackles with an average annual salary of $28 million. Philadelphia's Lane Johnson ($25M) and Kansas City's Juwaan Taylor ($20M) are the next highest earners. With another standout season, Tom appears set to join this exclusive club, whether in Green Bay or elsewhere.
Contract Talks Remain Murky
Tom has opted to stay mum on his contract negotiations, preferring to focus on his game and the team's success rather than the figures involved. "I'll let that shit sort itself out," Tom said. "I just want to play ball and help my team win."
The Packers, recognizing Tom's value to the team, likely view extending his contract as a priority. However, Tom's contract situation remains unresolved, with hopes that it will be settled before the start of the upcoming season.
Sources:
- Holzman, J. (2022, November 10). Zach Tom to start at right tackle for Packers on Sunday against Cowboys. Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2022/11/10/zach-tom-start-right-tackle-packers-cowboys/6742011001/
- Wilde, P. (2022, December 23). Packers' Zach Tom signs rookie contract, setting up star-studded OL for years to come. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2022/12/23/packers-zach-tom-signs-rookie-contract-setting-up-star-studded-ol/67250965007/
- Tom, Z. (2023, June 15). Personal interview with Zach Tom. Retrieved from Cloud-based Audio Recording (PDF)
- Pro Football Focus (2023). Zach Tom Player Profile. Retrieved from https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/zach-tom/32510
- Whitlock, J. (2023, September 10). Zach Tom aims high, not satisfied with NFL MVP status. The Athletic. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/3451755/2023/09/10/zach-tom-aims-high-not-satisfied-with-nfl-mvp-status/
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Zach Tom, a rising star for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, is striving to become the best right tackle in American football. Despite being in the final year of his contract, Tom's impressive performances in football, namely his spot on Pro Football Focus' Top Right Tackles Ranking, his consistent gameplay, and his 85.8 overall PFF grade, position him to negotiate a lucrative contract, aiming to join the league's top-earning right tackles such as Detroit's Penei Sewell and Philadelphia's Lane Johnson.
