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Green Bay Packers 2015 season grades: Offensive line

By Freddie Boston

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) and T.J. Lang (70) against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) and T.J. Lang (70) against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) blocks Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jason Babin (58) during the first quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) blocks Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jason Babin (58) during the first quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

David Bakhtiari

Sometimes you don’t fully appreciate someone until they’re gone. This was the case with Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari in 2015. Bakhtiari was one of the unsung heroes keeping Aaron Rodgers’ blindside protected, but when he got hurt, the offensive line struggled to provide a clean pocket.

READ MORE: Roster cut possibilities for Packers to target

Bakhtiari kept Lions dominant defensive end Ezekiel Ansah quiet in both games. Ansah’s only notable play in the game in Detroit — his lone sack on Rodgers — came on a play Bakhtiari sat out due to injury. Josh Walker filled in at left tackle on the play and almost got his quarterback killed.

Bakhtiari was charged with five sacks all season after playing 79.5 percent of offensive snaps, per Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. As a whole, the left tackle did a good job of protecting Rodgers despite battling through injuries. His play got better as the season went on.

After missing the Packers’ thumping to Arizona in Week 16, his return for the divisional round contest against the Cardinals was noticeable, with Rodgers have more time to operate in the pocket.

Bakhtiari is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Packers could look to lock him up long term this offseason.

Grade: A-

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