The Green Bay Packers gave themselves some security on the offensive line by signing Andre Dillard a week before the 2024 NFL Draft.
The team announced via X on Thursday, April 18 that they had reached an agreement with the experienced offensive lineman.
The Packers had been worried about their offensive line depth this offseason. With the addition of Dillard, they will have more flexibility heading into the draft.
Nevertheless, the Packers will still keep an eye on offensive line prospects during the three-day draft weekend.
Who Is Andre Dillard?
While he hasn’t met expectations as a first-round NFL pick, Dillard brings a unique skill set to Green Bay.
Dillard was a 3-star recruit from Washington in 2014. He received offers from smaller programs like Eastern Washington and Idaho, but he opted for an FBS program in Washington State.
A late bloomer for the Cougars, Dillard didn’t start until his final two seasons, starting 26 games and earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior.
Dillard impressed during the pre-draft process, achieving a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.81 out of 10 with elite scores in various drills. Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on Dillard with the 22nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he hasn’t yet lived up to expectations as a top-tier left tackle at the NFL level, according to
The Pro Football Focus , where he’s only achieved an overall grade of above 60.0 in one season. Nevertheless, at 28 years old, Dillard still has potential, and the Packers may be able to develop him further.Offensive Line Depth Is Still a Priority
The Packers need to continue adding offensive line depth, even with the Dillard signing.
Before Dillard, the Packers only had one reserve lineman with significant NFL playing experience, Royce Newman, who has been a disappointing starter. Their other backup offensive linemen have limited experience.
Despite this, the starters are not guaranteed long-term positions on the line, and the Packers may use some of their 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to add depth to the offensive line.
For now, a cost-effective veteran free agent like Dillard provides Green Bay with a significant boost to their offensive line depth.
The Green Bay Packers declared on Thursday, April 18, that they have hired Andre Dillard, a former first-round offensive tackle.
Even the starters aren’t long-term locks on the line. Rasheed Walker did an admirable job at the tail end of last season at left tackle, but his job isn’t safe past 2024 unless he dominates this upcoming season. Sean Rhyan was a former third-round pick, but only played sparingly in rotation with Jon Runyan Jr. this past season.
Fortunately, the Packers have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They may use some of those picks to trade up. However, expect general manager Brian Gutekunst to use a handful of those picks to add depth on the offensive line.
For the time being, a cheap veteran free agent like Dillard gives Green Bay a huge boost to their depth up front.
