Matt LaFleur has a small problem along his offensive line. It could turn into a big problem if not properly addressed. The team has lost three veterans along the trenches during free agency, including five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari and starting guard Jon Runyan Jr. GM Brian Gutekunst will need to either address the offensive line depth problems in the latter stages of free agency or in April’s NFL Draft.

Taking a look down the free agency path, a guard like Laken Tomlinson would be a really solid addition for Gutekunst. Here is why the former Jet makes sense for Green Bay:

Experience

It’s hard to find established, trustworthy veterans on the market at this time. Tomlinson, 32, has played in the league for nine years and is a former Pro-Bowler. He has started 138 games out of the total 146 that he has played in. The former Duke star also has NFC North experience after getting drafted by the Lions in 2015. He is strictly a guard, which is why he’d be either a great replacement for Runyan or a great depth piece behind Rhyan or Elgton Jenkins.

Where He’d Fit

Speaking of being a replacement or playing in a reserve role, at minimum, Tomlinson would be in a battle with young guard Sean Rhyan come summertime. It would all come down to who LaFleur and Jordan Love feel most comfortable with. It would be hard to not name a nine-year veteran a starter over a raw offensive lineman in Rhyan, who has played in just 14 games over his first two seasons. He was also suspended for using PEDs as a rookie.

Keep in mind too that Tomlinson played for an offense that was coached by former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. A one-year deal for the 32-year-old is a safe deal for a player that is an established veteran that might not become a starter. But getting him on the roster would make diehard Packers fans feel a lot more comfortable heading into 2024.