1. David Bakhtiari
At number one is arguably the Green Bay Packers’ most important player outside of Aaron Rodgers.
David Bakhtiari has been named an All-Pro three years in a row.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bakhtiari allowed just 25 pressures on 737 pass-block snaps last season, which made him PFF’s 2018 Pass Blocker of the Year.
Considering just how dominant he’s been at left tackle for the Packers in recent years, one would assume he’d be the highest-paid offensive tackle in football. Wrong. If not first, then surely in the top five? Again, wrong.
Bakhtiari’s average salary of $12 million is tied with Eric Fisher for 12th among tackles in the NFL, but Bakhtiari has less guaranteed money than Fisher. In fact, Bakhtiari has just 33.3 percent of his contract fully guaranteed.
While Bakhtiari’s 2019 cap hit of $14.2 million is the second-highest for the Packers, it’s still unbelievable how low his average salary is compared to other top tackles around the NFL.
However, with just two more years left on his current contract, and still just 27 years old, the Packers may aim to agree a contract extension sooner rather than later. They don’t want to risk losing their All-Pro left tackle in two years time.
Bakhtiari is the NFL’s best tackle in pass protection, but he’s not even inside the top 10 at the position in average salary.