Packers 2020 pre-draft preview: Questions at offensive tackle

With Bryan Bulaga gone, offensive tackle is a need for the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers‘ pass-protection remains one of the best in the NFL as has been the case for a number of years.

But without more investment, particularly at tackle, this will be put to the test in 2020.

Tackle is a need for the Packers entering next week’s draft.

Free agency recap

Green Bay’s longtime starter at right tackle, Bryan Bulaga, signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The Packers signed former Detroit Lions tackle Ricky Wagner to replace him, at least in the short term.

Jared Veldheer, who filled in for Bulaga in the divisional round back in January, remains unsigned.

Need in the draft?

High.

Wagner might give the Packers a short-term solution at right tackle, but he’ll turn 31 in October. All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and starting center Corey Linsley will also become free agents at the end of the season.

While we can assume the Packers will do all they can to retain Bakhtiari (and possibly Linsley too if they have the cap room), as things stand they have two more starting linemen with expiring contracts in the near future. It would be a smart move to prepare now.

Draft outlook

Tackle is very much in play for the Packers in the first round, depending on how the board falls. It’s possible five or six tackles could be selected on Day 1 of the draft so it would depend on who was still available at No. 30.

A tackle like Houston’s Josh Jones would make sense if he’s still on the board.

Selecting a tackle early would make sense, even if he doesn’t start as a rookie. It would give Green Bay good depth behind the two starters and a long-term successor to Bulaga and Wagner.

As long as backup Lane Taylor remains on the roster, the need at guard is low although it’s never a bad idea to add more depth to the offensive line. One under-the-radar position they could strengthen is center with Linsley’s contract up in a year.