Packers 2017 Recap: G Kofi Amichia
Kofi Amichia holds a title no other offensive lineman in the NFL can claim.
He’s likely the last offensive lineman to be selected in the NFL Draft by general manager Ted Thompson.
Thompson and his staff routinely used the latter rounds of the draft to uncover offensive line gems. David Bakhtiari, selected in the fourth-round, is one of the league’s premier left tackles. Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang were mainstays for nearly a decade at guard, and were both drafted in later rounds.
Amichia, a sixth-round pick, spent the season on the practice squad as he transitioned from a college tackle to an NFL guard.
2017 Stats
Spent 2017 season on the practice squad
Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Met
What we said after the draft
How does Kofi Amichia fit in Green Bay? - While his talent level may leave some questions, Amichia is more or less a prototypical example of what the Packers look for in a future guard. Green Bay isn’t interested in drafting players who played guard extensively in college. As a rule, they prefer to pick up athletic college tackles and transform them into interior linemen. It’s worked with Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, and J.C. Tretter, and the Packers will be hoping it works again with Amichia.
Analysis: A quiet rookie season for Amichia
Every great story of an unheralded player making an NFL roster contains an equally disappointing story of another player who no longer is on that roster.
Kofi Amichia was on the wrong side of the ledger this summer. Justin McCray ascended from being out of football to a spot starter on the offensive line in 2017, forcing the rookie Amichia to the practice squad.
When the Packers selected Amichia in the sixth round this season, the team announced his position as a guard. The 6-3, 304 pound lineman started at left tackle for South Florida.
Despite Green Bay going to great lengths to find offensive tackles nearly all season long, the team never seemed to give Amichia a serious look at tackle. Instead, offensive line coach James Campen kept his focus on learning the tools of the trade as an interior lineman.
It’s not unusual to move a player’s position from tackle to guard once he reaches the professional level. All Pro guard Josh Sitton started at tackle for Central Florida, as did T.J. Lang at Eastern Michigan.
Amichia was one of three draft picks who were cut at the conclusion of the preseason, along with wide receivers DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre. Both Amichia and Yancey were brought back to the practice squad, where they spent the duration of the season.
Based on what we saw from Amichia in training camp and the preseason, the athletic lineman will have a chance to compete at both guard and center in 2018.
