Numbers show why Zach Tom contract extension should be top priority for Packers

Zach Tom has become the rock of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line in the last two years, developing into one of the best offensive tackles in the league and essentially allowing the Packers to “set it and forget it” at right tackle.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Tom should be awarded a lucrative long-term contract to keep him in Green Bay, and through three seasons, the stats suggest he will be worth every penny.

Strengths

The best and most simple way to describe Tom’s value, especially in the passing game, is that he very rarely gets his quarterback sacked.

He has allowed just seven sacks in three seasons and among qualified NFL tackles, ranks in the 80th percentile for sacks allowed per opportunity (SK/OPP), which are pass blocking snaps after removing spikes and penalties.

Tom also ranks in the 80th percentile for SK/OPP in true pass sets, meaning he is still equally effective without the comfort blanket of play action, screens or quick throws.

One of the most consistent pass protecting tackles in the league, Tom ranks in the 75th percentile in PFF’s pass block efficiency metric, and the same against true pass sets.

Keeping the QB upright is job number one for any offensive lineman, and Tom has been one of the NFL’s best at doing just that, seldom getting truly beaten by an opponent.

In the run game, Tom is right at the top of the league in terms of his ability to execute zone blocking schemes. He ranks in the 77th percentile in PFF’s zone block grade since 2022.

An underrated part of Tom’s game is that he rarely commits penalties, ranking in the 85th percentile in penalties per snap since entering the league.

Weaknesses

This is the part of the article usually reserved for the faults in a player’s game, but at least according to his statistical profile, Tom has no true weaknesses, which is essentially another strength.

Of the 11 different metrics used for this evaluation, Tom ranks at least in the 55th percentile or better in every single one.

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As well as preventing his quarterback from getting sacked, Tom has done a much better job in the last two years of stopping Jordan Love from being touched.

He ranked in the 84th percentile for QB hits allowed per opportunity (HIT/OPP) since 2023, after ranking in the 17th percentile as a rookie.

Tom played multiple positions in his first season, protecting Aaron Rodgers at that time, and has settled in excellently since then. He also improved from the 23rd percentile in HIT/OPP in true pass sets to the 85th percentile over the last two years.

In terms of his work in the run game, Tom has also made significant strides in every aspect. Due to his slimmer, athletic frame for an offensive linemen, he will always be more suited to zone runs, and this is where he has excelled most.

After ranking in the 45th percentile as a rookie in PFF’s zone block grade, he improved to the 90th percentile in 2023, and was graded as the NFL’s best zone-blocking tackle in 2024.

The Packers shifted more heavily to gap concepts last season to accommodate the skill set of star running back Josh Jacobs. This is something Tom is not as naturally suited to, but he has still been more than capable.

Tom ranked in the 34th percentile in PFF’s gap block grade in 2022, but over the last two years has ranked in the 77th percentile, showing his versatility and ability to execute any assignment in the run game.

According to PFF’s grading, he was the eighth-best overall run blocker among qualified NFL tackles in 2023, and the third-best last season.

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If there is an area for improvement in Tom’s game, it is that he has been more prone to allowing pressures, and more specifically hurries, in the last couple of years.

As a rookie, Tom ranked in the 81st percentile for hurries allowed per opportunity (HUR/OPP), but has been below average in that regard since 2023, ranking in the 43rd percentile.

It is nothing to worry about, as he has still been above average in his NFL career overall in preventing hurries, ranking in the 55th percentile, and he has actually fared better in true pass sets, which is usually a tougher assignment, ranking in the 64th percentile.

Jordan Love would rather be dealing with hurries than hits or sacks, but pressures matter in any shape or form, and can have a significant impact on a given play. This is something for Tom to continue to work on so Love is not looking at defenders out of the corner of his eye.

Overall, Tom has been an absolute home run of a fourth-round pick, transforming into one of the best offensive tackles in the league, both in the pass and run game.

Paying Tom and keeping him in Green Bay for the long haul should be priority number one for the Packers front office between now and next offseason, and they would be wise to get a contract done quickly before the market continues to balloon.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Numbers show why Zach Tom extension should be top priority for Packers