By Paul Bretl: 7/24/2024
There’s was noticeable change on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line during Wednesday’s training camp practice with second-year player Kadeem Telfort working with the starting offense at right tackle, as Zach Tom is still eased back in.
It was good, you know,” said Telfort. “It was a bit challenging, but it was also a learning experience because you know previously I was on P-squad, so it was really just like another day at practice at the end of the day.
The defensive line had been dominating the offensive line for the first two days of practice. Andre Dillard, who had been at right tackle with the ones during those first two days, was having a difficult time handling Rashan Gary.
Not that it was perfect, but Telfort had his moments, including one rep against Gary, where Andy Herman notes that Telfort absorbed Gary’s power move, anchored, and stalled out his pass rush attempt.
“It actually went good because those guys are top tier in the league,” said Telfort of his performance. “So you know, it was challenging but also my coached prepared me for stuff like that. So you know, at the end of the day it was just practice. I’ve been going against them for a while. Last year went against them for about 20 weeks, you know.”
The Packers signed Telfort as an undrafted rookie following the 2023 draft. Standing 6-7 – 322 pounds, Telfort is a towering tackle. During his final three collegiate seasons at UAB, Telfort played 1,883 snaps, all of which came at left tackle, allowing just three total sacks and 22 pressures, with never more than 10 in one season.
As an undrafted rookie, Telfort spent his first season in Green Bay on the practice squad.
“Practice squad last year,” added Telfort, “it was a humbling experience. Even though I felt I was ready, I really wasn’t. It didn’t really start clicking for me until I’d say third quarter, fourth quarter of the season. This offseason, I really hit the ground and attacked to it.”
The emphasis for Telfort this offseason was focusing on his footwork. This included spending the offseason with Packers’ receivers Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose in South Florida, learning from them. Telfort also mentioned that he slimmed down a bit as well.
“It helped a lot,” said Telfort on working with the receivers. “It taught me to be more urgent and I could get to my spot a little more quicker. Even the guys tell me that I slimmed down a lot more. Everything else is really faster and quicker now.”
Versatility is one of the cornerstones when it comes to playing offensive line for the Packers. And while Telfort is getting recognition for his play at the tackle position, during OTAs and minicamp, he took the majority of his snaps at guard. If he can prove to be capable of playing both inside and out, that will only make him a more desirable option on the 53-man roster.
However, lining up at guard during OTAs was the first time Telfort had played their since his Junior College days. So like with any change, there was a learning curve involved.
“The fight starts earlier,” said Telfort on playing guard versus tackle. “Like it starts as soon as the quarterback say hike, and you’ve got to be ready to fight, and gotta dig a little more because I’m somewhat blocking myself at a guard, 6-5 – 330 pound guys, so you know I’ve got to really strain more. Really, like, it’s a lot more.”
At the end of the day, this was one practice on the third day of minicamp when the pads weren’t even fully on yet. The next step for Telfort will be showing consistency and continuing to build upon these performances. However, the opportunity that he had to play with the starters also shows how far he’s come over the last year.
“It means a lot, you know,” said Telfort about playing with the starters. “I’m somewhat getting noticed now. Just taking advantage and taking it day by day. Taking the good with the bad.”