Unpacking Future Packers: No. 38, Kansas OL Bryce Cabeldue

USA Today

24-03-2025

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 38, Kansas OL Bryce Cabeldue
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers have a rich history of drafting college offensive tackles and converting them to guards. Sean Rhyan is the most recent example. The former UCLA Bruin started 31 games at left ankle at the college level and has since kicked inside to right guard for the Packers.
Jordan Morgan, last year's first-round pick started 37 games at left tackle during his time at Arizona and logged 185 snaps at guard and started one game at left guard during his rookie season. While his long-term position still may be at tackle, he could end up being the next tackle-to-guard convert for the Packers.
Bryce Cabeldue could be the next college offensive tackle that the Packers draft and move to guard. The Kansas Jayhawk offensive lineman checks in at No. 38 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A native of New Mexico, Cabeldue finished his career at Kansas with 47 career starts. He started 36 games at right tackle and 11 games at left tackle for the Jayhawks.
'He was a part of one of the biggest turnarounds in recent college football memory, where the Jayhawks went from bottom dwellers and the butt of many national jokes to a 9-win team in 2023 and holding a top-25 preseason ranking entering the 2024 season," Matt Tait, the managing editor for R1s1sports.com, said. "Cabledue wasn't the face of that turnaround nor was he the most popular player, but he embodied everything that it was about - toughness, resilience, a team-first mentality and great appreciation for simply getting to play the game and for finally getting a taste of winning. Beyond that, his talent and versatility up front was important. He played right tackle in 2023 and was a part of one of the best offensive lines in college football and flipped over to left tackle in 2024 after Kansas lost Dominick Puni to the NFL. Cabledue never thought he'd play left tackle, but when they asked him to do it, the answer was an immediate, 'Whatever's best for the team.' He's that kind of dude."
Cabeldue never started a game at guard during his time with the Jayhawks, but that's likely where he'll wind up on Sundays. The 47-game starter logged reps at guard during Shrine Bowl week and was a standout at his "new" position. From NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter:
"Cabeldue really stood out on the interior despite the fact that he only played a handful of snaps at guard while at Kansas. He has guard size, though, and his hip explosion and strong hands helped him control his man off the snap in various run-blocking schemes."
Cabeldue continued his strong predraft process with a good showing at the Big 12 Pro Day. He clocked a 4.95 40-yard dash with a 1.71 10-yard split. He also put up 30 reps on the bench and clocked a 4.59 short shuttle.
Cabeldue plays through the whistle and embraces the mauler mentality as a run blocker. He has a powerful upper half and uses that strength to steer defenders in any direction he chooses. He's great at finishing plays. The Jayhawlk offensive lineman is quick out of his stance to get into blockers early and he shows no restrictions when on the move.
"Cabledue's a no-frills kind of dude and if he finds something that works, he'll lean into it and let it work as long as it can," Tait said. "That's how he approached playing his position, and he became pretty good as a people mover. He didn't jump off the film at you very often, but the fact that you didn't always notice him also had its own advantages. You don't see elite athlete when you look at him, but he has a tendency to play that way. If you ask him, he'd probably say he prefers run-blocking because he's in control. He likes getting off the ball with a good burst, has great body control in doing so and is way smart, understanding angles and schemes while also being able to adjust on the fly as needed."
Cabeldue has good vision and is assignment-sound. His football instincts are through the roof. The Jayhawk offensive lineman plays with good knee bend. He pounces out of his stance and has good foot quickness. He has a wide base and could thrive playing on the inside at the next level. Over the past two seasons, he gave up six sacks and 27 pressures.
"So much of what made Cabledue successful at both tackle spots was simple pride," Tait said. "He was always up for anything asked of him and worked as hard as he needed to to meet any challenge. He has good feet, great balance and body control and has learned to use his hands incredibly well to keep pass rushers from dictating the way each snap would go. He didn't win every battle, of course, but his length, IQ and will always seemed to lead him to find a way to give the KU QBs just enough time to make a play or get out of harm's way. The guy has no quit in him and he just kept getting better."
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need to bolster the depth up front. They have a solid starting five with Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Rhyan and Zach Tom, with Morgan as a player who could challenge for a starting role. There isn't a lot of proven or quality depth behind that group.
The Packers own a pair of seventh-round picks and could target Cabeldue with one of them. He checks the boxes with his experience, versatility and athleticism. He'd provide quality depth at guard and with his experience playing both tackle spots he could kick outside in a pinch.
"I think the versatility is a huge part of his value," Tait said. "He's almost certainly a guard if he gets a shot at the next level, but the fact that he has played so much tackle, too — on both sides of the line — has given him a complete understanding of what goes on up there, from left to right, on run plays and in pass protection. He's been around some really smart and talented linemen and coaches during his KU career. The one he worked with the longest, Scott Fuchs, spent last season with the Tennessee Titans and was praised for the way he taught the position, so I'm sure Bryce grew a ton under Fuchs' leadership. His feel for the game is good, he can (and will) play anywhere you ask him to play, and he'll work as hard as anyone on your roster without any drama or being someone you have to worry about in any way. High-character dude who just loves playing football."
The Packers have had success drafting Day 3 offensive lineman. Cabeldue is expected to go in the sixth or seventh round and Gutekunst has made it a habit to draft multiple offensive linemen during the draft as he looks to keep the offensive line a strength. Cabeldue could be the next one Gutekunst targets.