After David Bakhtiari’s departure, the Green Bay Packers have one less roster spot at the left tackle position. But because Bakhtiari had been inactive since Week 1 last year, Green Bay had that spot open for other players. Therefore, some candidates could fit that role if the Packers go after a left tackle in the first round.
First, Bakhtiari has been Green Bay’s left tackle for the last 11 seasons, and the Packers consistently had one of the better offensive lines in the league when he was healthy. According to Pro Football Focus, Green Bay ranked inside the top 10 each year in offensive line efficiency from 2013 to 2016. Bakhtiari started in 62 of those 64 regular-season games.
When Matt LaFleur arrived as head coach in 2019, Bakhtiari’s last full season, Green Bay’s offensive line ranked sixth in the NFL. The line moved to second in the league in 2020, but Bakhtiari tore his ACL.
Green Bay may not need to draft a left tackle in the first round, with Walker handling Love’s blind side. But with Bakhtiari’s absence, the depth at that spot is thin. If Green Bay is looking to fill up that spot early in the draft, there are quite a few prospects they will have to choose from.
Joe Alt is the biggest offensive lineman prospect this year. He’s an All-American from Notre Dame, and the son of former Kansas City Chiefs tackle John Alt. But experts project him to go into the top 10. The Packers could trade up to grab him because they have extra picks in the second and third rounds. Alt is the best-case scenario for Green Bay, but it is not realistic. He probably won’t be on the board when the Packers pick.
However, taking Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu would be a realistic and satisfying scenario. He’s 21 and still has one more year of eligibility left, but his youth shouldn’t be an issue because it would give him time to develop behind Walker and Jenkins.
Fashanu’s strength stands out the most. He can push Big Ten rushers back and disrupt their pass rush.
Last year, Fashanu started and played in all 12 of the Nittany Lions’ regular-season games. He played a total of 722 offensive snaps, including 380 pass dropbacks. Fashanu only allowed 10 hurries, with no quarterback hits and no sacks. Remember that this is against Big Ten pass rushers from schools like Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, and Iowa.
His overall health is the one downside to drafting Fashanu instead of another tackle. According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Fashanu had to end his combine workouts early this offseason due to a thigh injury.
Last season, Green Bay’s offensive line ranked sixth in the league even though Bakhtiari only played in one game. In his absence, Rasheed Walker stepped in at left tackle, with Elgton Jenkins also taking some reps throughout the season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rasheed Walker allowed only six sacks and 33 pressures on 633 dropbacks last season. That averages a sack or a pressure from Walker every 16.2 plays. That’s why Green Bay’s offensive line was good last year without Bakhtiari. They can put different guys in and move guys around, as they have done with Elgton Jenkins, and they remain one of the best units in the league.
The left tackle is probably the most crucial position on an offensive line for a right-handed quarterback. Right-handed quarterbacks face away from the left side of the line, making it their blind side. A good left tackle is the foundation of every good offense.
Still, assuming the injury isn’t severe, and he just did not want to take any risks, Fashanu should be healthy enough for full participation in OTAs if the Packers take him. Regardless of his injury, Fashanu has the strength and the youth to make an impact with the Packers. One thing’s for sure for this upcoming season: if the Packers take Fashanu in the first round, they will get more depth and talent at the left tackle position, and Green Bay’s offensive line should still be one of the best in the league in 2024.
