For years, the Green Bay Packers have built one of the league’s most respected offensive line pipelines. Mark Tauscher, David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley are just a few of the names to arrive as mid to late round picks and quickly become starters. It rarely matters whether a player arrives as a first-round pick, a mid-round developmental prospect, or an overlooked athlete with traits. If the Packers believe the tools are there, they trust their coaching staff and development system to eventually turn that player into a contributor.

That philosophy is exactly why fifth-round rookie from Kentucky Jager Burton is such an intriguing name to watch entering the 2026 season.

At first glance, Burton may appear destined for a traditional rookie redshirt season. He was selected on Day 3, joins a crowded interior offensive line room, and still has technical inconsistencies that need refinement. But when you dig deeper into Green Bay’s current offensive line situation, Burton’s versatility, intelligence and athletic profile, and the uncertainty surrounding multiple interior spots, a very real question emerges:

Could Burton actually become a starter by the end of the season?

The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. However, the path is absolutely there.

Burton enters the NFL after a long and productive career at the University of Kentucky, where he started a total of 47 games at left guard, right guard, and center. That versatility immediately matters in Green Bay because the Packers value offensive linemen who can handle multiple responsibilities. General manager Brian Gutekunst and the organization have consistently prioritized flexibility up front. Burton checks every box in that regard. 

What makes Burton especially fascinating is that he may actually project best at center despite spending time all across the interior during college. According to multiple scouting evaluations, his strongest tape came during his final season at center, where his football intelligence, communication, and movement skills stood out. 

That matters because the Packers are still trying to solidify the long-term answer in the middle of their offensive line.

Entering the offseason, Green Bay faced major questions after offensive line turnover and injuries disrupted continuity. Sean Rhyan who was re-signed this offseason on a modest three year deal, has experience at center and guard and likely pencils in as the teams starting center in 2026. Veterans Aaron Banks and Zach Tom remain key pieces elsewhere on the line and will start the season at left guard and right tackle respectively. But the interior depth chart is hardly untouchable. 

That is where Burton’s opportunity begins.

The biggest thing working in Burton’s favor is the type of athlete he is. Green Bay has long been obsessed with elite Relative Athletic Scores, particularly along the offensive line, and Burton’s 9.88 RAS made him one of the most athletic centers tested in decades. His 4.94 forty-yard dash and movement skills were elite for an interior lineman. 

Those athletic traits fit perfectly into the Packers’ offensive system. Green Bay asks its offensive linemen to operate in space, climb to the second level, execute outside-zone concepts, and handle movement-heavy protections. Burton’s mobility gives him a chance to thrive in those assignments once his technique catches up.

And that last part is important.

Burton is not a polished prospect entering the league. If he were, he would not have lasted until the fifth round. Scouts consistently pointed out issues with leverage consistency, balance, and occasional struggles against stronger defensive linemen. There are snaps where Burton fires out too aggressively, loses pad level discipline, or simply gets overwhelmed by power. 

Those flaws are real, and they may prevent him from starting early in the season.

But Green Bay does not need Burton to be ready in September. The question is whether he can become a starter by season’s end, and that timeline dramatically changes the conversation.

The Packers have one of the NFL’s better developmental environments for offensive linemen. Players are rarely rushed. Instead, coaches focus on technique refinement, cross-training positions, and slowly building confidence. Burton’s football IQ and experience starting 47 consecutive games at Kentucky suggest he has the mental makeup to handle that process. 

If injuries hit the offensive line — and they almost always do over a 17-game season — Burton could quickly become the next man up. Just last season the Packers lost two starters along the offensive line in Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom.

That possibility feels even more realistic considering Green Bay’s recent history. The Packers consistently shuffle offensive linemen during the year. Position flexibility is not just appreciated in Green Bay; it is required. Burton’s ability to play both guard spots and center could make him the top reserve interior lineman sooner rather than later.

If Burton performs adequately in relief duty, the coaching staff may decide to keep him on the field. That is especially true if the Packers are looking for more athleticism inside or if younger linemen begin outperforming veterans late in the season.

There is also the long-term financial reality of the NFL. Green Bay has repeatedly shown a willingness to transition to younger, cheaper players if they believe the upside is there. Burton being drafted at all suggests the organization sees developmental starter potential in him. Teams do not spend draft picks on interior offensive linemen unless they envision a future role.

The biggest hurdle Burton faces is likely strength and consistency against NFL defensive tackles. SEC competition certainly helped prepare him, but NFL interior defenders are a completely different challenge. Players at the professional level can exploit leverage mistakes instantly. Burton will need to improve his anchor and hand placement to avoid getting walked backward in pass protection.

Still, there are encouraging signs.

Multiple scouting reports praised Burton’s effort level, toughness, and recovery ability after initially losing reps. Those are traits offensive line coaches love because they are difficult to teach. Technique can improve. Athleticism and competitiveness are much harder to develop.

The Packers also appear to believe Burton’s ceiling is higher than where he was drafted. Green Bay’s scouting department openly praised his toughness, flexibility, and intelligence after selecting him. In many ways, Burton feels like a classic Packers offensive line pick: athletic, versatile, experienced, and slightly raw technically.

That profile has worked before in Green Bay.

Perhaps the most realistic projection for Burton in 2026 is this: he opens the season as a backup interior lineman, gradually earns trust during practice and limited game action, and becomes a legitimate candidate for a starting role late in the year if injuries or inconsistent play create an opening.

Would it be surprising if Burton started multiple games by December? Not really. Right guard Anthony Belton is the arugbaly the weakest link on the projected starting five for Green Bay. His 49.7 PFF grade from 2025 was good for 73rd out of 81 guards in the NFL. If he doesn’t experience a second year jump and continues to struggle it wouldn’t be a shock to see Burton there. Maybe as early as the week 11 bye week.

The key will be how quickly Burton adapts to NFL strength and processing speed. If he handles the mental side early and proves he can survive physically, his athletic tools could eventually separate him from other options on the roster.

The Packers have built an organizational identity around finding offensive line gems outside the early rounds. Burton may very well become the next name on that list.

So, will Jager Burton become a starter by season’s end?

Right now, it feels unlikely that he enters Week 1 in the starting lineup. There are simply too many experienced options ahead of him. But by seasons end? Whether its due to injury or performance The possibility becomes very real.

Injuries, roster movement, player development, and positional flexibility all work in Burton’s favor. More importantly, he fits exactly what Green Bay wants in an offensive lineman. Athleticism, intelligence, toughness, and versatility give him a legitimate chance to rise faster than many fifth-round rookies typically do.

The Packers may have drafted Burton as depth.

They could finish the season with him as part of their starting five sooner than we thought.