July 13, 2026, 8:23 a.m. CT<\/p>\n
Green Bay Packers<\/a> offensive lineman Anthony Belton is becoming a commonly predicted breakout candidate ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Belton, a second-round pick in 2025, eventually settled into a starting role at right guard to end his rookie season, and he’ll go into 2026 expected to make a big jump as a Week 1 starter up front. Some outside Green Bay have taken notice.<\/p>\n Last week, Ben Solak of ESPN picked Belton<\/a> as his breakout player for the Packers in 2026. Now, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com is joining the club, picking Belton as one of his breakout players at guard<\/a> across the entire NFL.<\/p>\n From Brooks: “The Packers’ offensive line renovation has featured more big bodies taking spots in the lineup at offensive guard. Belton qualifies as a 6-6, 336-pound dancing bear at the line of scrimmage. The extra-extra-large blocker specializes in knocking defenders off the ball and finishing his run-game reps with violence. While his coaches are preaching consistency throughout the offseason, the second-year pro has the tools and talent to become an elite player as an interior blocker.”<\/p>\n That’s a flowery prognosis for a left-tackle-turned-guard who went through the typical ups and downs of a rookie learning a new position in 2025. But as Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire pointed out<\/a>, Belton played his best football down the stretch, suggesting he got more and more comfortable at right guard and a true breakout could be coming in Year 2.<\/p>\n