Jason Spriggs is the Packers offensive linemen best suited to play a skill position

Sometimes you just need to lighten the mood a little bit. This week, that’s what we’re doing across the various SB Nation NFL blogs, as Theme Week for week 10 brings us a fun (and pointless, but still fun) prompt.

"Which offensive lineman on your team would make the best skills position player?"

The prompt came about as a result of former Packers tackle Marshall Newhouse’s hilarious attempt to run with the football this weekend, though it could have equally come about after Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Michael Dieter made himself a bona fide Piesman Trophy candidate.

After a little bit of examination, the answer to this question became a two-man debate among the Green Bay Packers’ offensive linemen, with an eventual clear answer. But instead of revealing our pick immediately, let’s take a look at the measurables of each of the players on the roster, either from the NFL Scouting Combine or the player’s college Pro Day, to see who has the best athletic profile to kick out to tight end. All players currently under contract in Green Bay were considered, including players on the practice squad and injured reserve.

And no, we’re not suggesting that any of these players move to running back or to split out wide at receiver. Realistically, tight end is the one feasible option here.

(Numbers compiled from NFLDraftScout.com)

That’s a lot of numbers, but looking at it closely shows two massive outliers: Jason Spriggs and Kofi Amichia.

Amichia was the most athletic guard in the 2017 draft class, and the RAS system — which is compiled by Pride of Detroit contributor Kent Platte, aka @MathBomb — puts him at the 16th-most athletic guard since 1999, a group that includes 523 players.

Still, we don’t know what Amichia’s lateral numbers look like. That, combined with his height being a full two inches shorter than Jason Spriggs, make the second-year tackle from Indiana our pick.

Jason Spriggs could actually play tight end

First of all, Spriggs played tight end in high school and was recruited at that position when he signed with Indiana. He also lined up at the tight end position as a sixth offensive lineman on occasion in 2016. There’s our first check.

RAS numbers compiled by Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

Second: Spriggs is one of most ridiculously explosive athletes at the offensive tackle position in years. His Combine vertical was 31.5 inches, very respectable in its own right, but he upped that to a whopping 35-inch jump at his Pro Day.

Third: Spriggs put up a very good shuttle time of 4.44 seconds, about a tenth faster than any other Packers lineman who ran the drill and three tenths faster than the average time.

Fourth: Spriggs’ RAS at offensive tackle is 9.70 on a zero-to-ten scale. That’s the 18th-best mark out of 570 candidates. However, if you compare his numbers to tight ends, he’s still got a 4.51, with only his 40 time and 3-cone time falling well below average at that position.

One added bonus we have is the comparison of Spriggs to Richard Rodgers, the Packers’ third-round draft pick in 2014 and a two-year starter at the tight end position:

• Spriggs: 6’6”, 301 lbs, 4.94 40, 35” vert, 115” broad, 4.44 shuttle, 7.57 3-cone
• Rodgers: 6’4”, 257 lbs, 4.87 40, 31.5” vert, 116” broad, 4.47 shuttle, 7.23 cone

That’s right, Spriggs has a better vertical, an equal broad jump, and a faster shuttle time than a tight end who has started 23 games for the Packers over the past four seasons. With that big frame and impressive vertical, perhaps it’s time to give Spriggs a number in the 80s instead of the 70s and let him catch jump balls in the red zone.

As for his current roster status, Spriggs is on injured reserve but has been given one of the Packers’ two “designated for return” slots and will likely return to the active roster in the next few weeks.