Maybe this years draft will help the Green Bay Packers decide where to play offensive lineman T.J. Lang.

Lang, a fourth-round draft pick in 2009, has been a backup his first two seasons in the NFL but is a viable starter at either right tackle or left guard heading into 2011. Hes played both positions for the Packers, along with left tackle, and the organization remains split on whether guard or right tackle is the best place for him.

If the Packers select a tackle in the early rounds of this years draft, maybe that will decide Langs future for them. Perhaps the same if they take a guard.

For now, Langs best chance to get into the starting lineup is at left guard, especially if the Packers dont re-sign Daryn Colledge, whose free-agent status remains in flux with the leagues collective bargaining agreement set to expire this week and no new agreement in sight.

But there are plausible, if less likely, scenarios that have Lang competing for the starting job at right tackle in 2011 also.

I always thought T.J. was a left guard or a right guard, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said at the NFL scouting combine last week. But hes pretty natural outside. You dont want a guy to get into that hes a jack of all trades master of none. I think we need to find out, hes getting to that spot where he needs to go compete somewhere. Thats a great question, because I always thought he was a guard, but hes pretty natural at tackle.

Going into the offseason, Chad Clifton seems likely to return as the Packers starting left tackle at a salary of $5.25 million when the 2011 season opens. Hell turn 35 in June and has a long history of sore knees, which are reasons to wonder whether hell hold up for another year. But he came back from knee problems early last season to provide solid play protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers blind side, and he maintained that level at the end of the year, when older players sometimes fade. He also did not have any surgeries this offseason.

Yeah, we certainly plan on him being with us, General Manager Ted Thompson said.

That means the Packers first-round pick last year, Bryan Bulaga, wont be their left tackle in 2011, at least as long as Clifton is healthy and maintaining an adequate level of play. Bulaga likely will remain at right tackle for a second season after starting there 16 games last year, playoffs included, in place of injured Mark Tauscher.

Bulaga still looks like Cliftons successor at left tackle during the stretch run last season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers several times referred to Bulaga as the left tackle of the Packers future and for that reason theres a chance the Packers could move him to left guard. That way, hed have an easier transition to left tackle if he were needed to replace Clifton during the season. That also would put Lang as the front-runner to start at right tackle, depending on this years draft.

Bulagas future could change if the Packers draft a tackle they think is better suited long term for the left side, and McCarthy said that regardless, the Packers want left tackle-type athletes on both sides because he runs so much offense out of spread formations that both can end up on islands as pass blockers. Also, defenses more than ever are moving their best outside rusher against the weaker tackle on passing downs.

Were playing our best football when we have two left tackles, McCarthy said. The thing about the old right tackle, you had the big tight end right next him, but you play with an open edge as much as we do with no tight end right next to him, you better have a right tackle than can pass protect too. Ted and I talk about this a lot, we dont do the big mammoth right tackle, athletic left tackle.

McCarthy wouldnt say whether Tauscher will be back with the Packers this year, though his return appears unlikely. Tauscher turns 34 in June, and after a long, accomplished 11-year career his body is breaking down, as evidenced by the shoulder injury that ended his 2010 season after four games.

McCarthy said he spoke with Tauscher on the Wednesday after the Super Bowl and wanted to wait a while before they seriously addressed Tauschers future. Tauscher has one season left on his contract at a salary of $4.1 million. If they dont meet by March 3 and theres a lockout, they wont be allowed to have contact until theres a new CBA.

Just get some distance (from the end of last season), sit down and talk, McCarthy said We have a great relationship with Mark, see where hes at, see where his mind is at.

Regardless of where the Packers play Lang, they have another potential future starter at guard or center in Nick McDonald, who made the roster last year as an undrafted rookie out of Division II Grand Valley State.

The 6-foot-4, 316-pound McDonald needs an excellent offseason to improve himself physically. A lockout could set back his development if it wipes out the team-run offseason workout program, which is the optimal way for a player to get stronger and improve individual skills.

I think (McDonald) definitely has a chance at center, and I think hes a very natural guard, McCarthy said. I like his body. I think hes definitely a guy that has a very bright future.

McDonalds rise onto the roster last year was a surprise, because he regularly was beaten, often badly, in one-on-one pass blocking drills during training camp. But in games, he proved to be a tough, physical fighter, and he has the kind of big, square build and strong anchor that hold up well in interior line play in the NFL.

Your interior linemen, one-on-ones is not their best drill, McCarthy said. I remember (former NFL center) Tim Grunhard in Kansas City, Tim was a hell of a football player. Youd go to one on one, hed get his (butt) kicked every day. What you have to do is watch their feet. If youre watching a guy winning and losing (the drill), thats not as important as watching his feet his hips, feet and ankles.