Green Bay Packers: Player projections for the 2019 season
By Paul Bretl
Most underrated – Bryan Bulaga
Bryan Bulaga takes a lot of flack for his injury history and I feel that overshadows the superb job he has done at right tackle over the years. While there is some truth to the narrative that he misses large amounts of time with injuries, I do feel that it can be a bit exaggerated.
Over the last five seasons, Bulaga has played in 14 games in 2018, just 5 in 2017 with an ACL tear, 16 in 2016, 12 in 2015 and 15 in 2014. Yes, he has rarely played a full 16 game season in his career, but he is on the field more times than not.
Bulaga also plays a premier position and finding good tackles is an incredibly hard thing to do. They have a difficult job in having to be quick enough to work well in space while having to be strong enough to take on bull rushes. Consistently over his career, Bulaga has been rated very well by Pro Football Focus, specifically in pass protection and keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. Even amongst all the changes this offseason, the name of the game for the Packers is protecting Rodgers.
The only time we will really hear Bulaga’s name called is when he makes a poor play, it’s just the nature of his position. But given his play on the field for nearly a decade at an important position, fans need to appreciate what he brings to this Green Bay Packers’ team and he will be missed when he has retired.