Green Bay Packers 2018 position outlook: Tackle
A closer look at the tackles currently on the Green Bay Packers roster.
When healthy, the Green Bay Packers have one of the league’s best offensive lines. A major reason why is the play of the two tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga.
But Bulaga is returning from injury and could miss the start of the season. That leaves some concern at the position.
Who will make the 53-man roster, and who could replace Bulaga as the starter in Week 1 if he is out?
Currently on the roster
David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Meadows
Who makes the final 53-man roster?
A lot depends on the health of Bulaga. Returning from a torn ACL, will he be ready to go by Week 1? If not, Bulaga could be placed on the PUP list. If that is the case, he’d miss at least the first six weeks of the season.
Who would replace him as the starter? Your guess is as good as mine.
Murphy and Spriggs are also returning from injuries, and both will need to prove they are ready to start regularly at right tackle.
It’s still possible the Packers turn to free agency, just as they did at tight end by signing Marcedes Lewis earlier this week.
Key player
David Bakhtiari: While there are concerns at right tackle, the left side is set.
Bakhtiari is one of the best pass-protectors in the league, and has two second-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection to prove it.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bakhtiari allowed the league’s fewest quarterback pressures among tackles last season with just 12.
There’s David Bakhtiari, then there’s the rest of the NFL.
— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) May 25, 2018
Elite. pic.twitter.com/ytRTv1b7fP
As long as Bakhtiari is healthy, the Packers have no worries at left tackle. He’s one of the most important players on offense for Green Bay.
Position outlook
Again, the confidence at tackle comes down to health.
When Bakhtiari and Bulaga are both healthy, they have been dominant. Both have been elite pass-protectors in Green Bay for some time. But Bulaga has had a number of injury concerns throughout his career, and could miss the start of the 2018 season.
We’re going to find out a lot about the Packers’ depth along the offensive line this summer.
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Right now it’s unclear who will start at both right tackle and right guard in Week 1. Maybe the starting right tackle isn’t currently on the roster.