Ranking the Green Bay Packers Key Free Agents in 2021
By Paul Bretl
1B. David Bakhtiari
While choosing between Aaron Jones and Corey Linsley for spots 3 and 4 was difficult, deciding between David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark for the most important spot at the top of the list was even more challenging. But as you can see, I wasn’t very good at deciding on this one.
I gave Clark the edge over Bakhtiari because of how young he is, but ideally, the Packers should make re-signing both Bakhtiari and Clark top priorities. And given their current cap situation in 2021, doing so isn’t a stretch by any means.
The tackle is a premier position in the NFL and the Green Bay Packers have had one of the best – if not the best – at it for several seasons now. Over his seven-year career, Bakhtiari has missed only six total games and he has been named an All-Pro each of the last four seasons.
In fact, during that four-season span, Bakhtiari has totaled 2,850 pass-blocking attempts according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) and he has given up only 11 sacks. That’s right, just 11 sacks!
Although it appears that the offense is becoming more “run-oriented” – the name of the game in Green Bay is still keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. And that means having David Bakhtiari at left tackle for the foreseeable future.