Green Bay Packers: 5 Options To Replace Bryan Bulaga

The Green Bay Packers have a conundrum on their hands about whether to re-sign Bryan Bulaga. If they go a different route, they could look to these 5 guys.

In 2019, Bryan Bulaga proved once again why he’s so valuable to the Green Bay Packers. Starting all 16 games for just the second time in his nine-year NFL career, Bulaga was a force to be reckoned with at right tackle. He dominated action and provided the Packers with one of the best one-two punches at tackle in the game.

Although he missed some game time with injuries, he was able to avoid the injury-bug; something that’s plagued him his entire career. In fact, if it weren’t for injuries, Bulaga would probably be recognized as one of the premiere tackles in all of football.

A healthy season came at just the right time for the former first-round pick, as he enters unrestricted free agency this offseason. Green Bay would love to keep him, but he might get priced out of the Packers’ range. If that happens, here are five viable replacements for him heading into 2020:

Demar Dotson

At 34-years-old, Demar Dotson is a few years older than Bulaga. However, at this point, it’s all about Green Bay finding a stopgap at right tackle until they can find a long-term replacement. Dotson is an enormous 6-foot-9 and 315 pounds, providing Green Bay with an intimidating presence on the line. Although unspectacular, he would provide the Packers with a steady player for a season or two.

Elgton Jenkins

There have been whispers this offseason about Green Bay potentially sliding Elgton Jenkins from left guard to right tackle. Jenkins was amazing during his rookie season and this could provide the Packers with a long-term option at the position. However, it’s a bit risky, as Jenkins might not perform as well on the outside as he did on the interior.

Jared Veldheer

Another internal option is re-signing Jared Veldheer. The Packers brought him in late in the season to provide depth and he was very good in spot duty when Bulaga went down. Of course, starting full-time would be a very different situation, but Veldheer at least has a history of being serviceable at right tackle. It wouldn’t be ideal, but an option nonetheless.

Kelvin Beachum

Heading back to free agency, Kelvin Beachum would be another pretty good option. He’s not at the same level Bulaga is, but he’s still a good tackle. Beachum was a steady player for the New York Jets and, at 31-years-old, could provide a little more time to find a long-term replacement than the likes of Veldheer or Dotson.

Draft Pick

Another route Green Bay could go is to use a high draft pick on a tackle. Although that’s not ideal given their overwhelming need at wide receiver and other needs across the board, it’s realistic to think the Packers could draft a tackle no matter what happens in free agency with Bulaga. Some of the players they could target with their first or second round pick include Austin Jackson, Trey Adams, Prince Tega Wanogho, Josh Jones or Robert Hunt.