The Aaron Rodgers trade from last year has given the Green Bay Packers two second-round selections in the 2024 NFL draft. Is there any chance they’ll use one of those selections to get David Bakhtiari’s left tackle replacement?
During the 2024 offseason, the Packers will have to determine if they want to trade Bakhtiari and make a long-term change at left tackle. The five-time All-Pro still has one season remaining on his deal, but he will have a $40 million salary hit in 2023 and is currently healing from his most recent setback involving surgery to his left knee.
In the event that the Packers decide to cut ties, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report predicts that 2020 All-Pro left tackle Garett Bolles of the Denver Broncos may be a suitable trade partner. He proposed that in exchange for Bolles, an accomplished veteran who can cover Jordan Love’s blindside, the Packers send their own second-round pick (number 58 overall) to the Broncos.
Ballentine stated on February 7 that “the Packers don’t usually trade picks for players, but they have five picks in the top 100 and 11 total picks in this year’s draft.” “If the opportunity arises, use one of those picks who might be a veterans.”It’s now, veteran difference maker.
Among the 23 offensive tackles who played at least 1,000 total snaps, Bolles gave up just three sacks and 27 pressures in 17 games for the Broncos in 2023. He also finished with the third-highest pass-blocking grade (83.8) according to Pro Football Focus. Going from Bakhtiari to the 31-year-old Bolles, the Packers wouldn’t get much younger, but they would get someone who plays at a high level and is constantly available.
Does it make sense for the Packers in the grand scheme, though?
Garett Bolles Would Be Short-Term Fix for Packers
In the upcoming weeks, the Broncos may look at trade options for Garett Bolles in an effort to avoid paying the 2024 salary cap.
prior to the start of the next league year on March 13. He has a $20 million cap charge in 2024 and is owed $15.75 million in salary. However, the Broncos are expected to be over the limit by about $27.88 million, meaning they may save $16 million if they deal or cut him this offseason.
Regretfully, the Packers have to free up approximately $7.39 million by March 13 due of their own salary cap restrictions. They are unlikely to want to give up a second-round pick in order to add another over-30 left tackle with a large cap charge, even if they make a tonne of veteran cuts and free up a tonne of financial room.
Packers Have Draft Resources to Find New Left Tackle
In the end, the Packers have minimal motivation to engage in a high-profile deal this offseason to acquire a new starting left tackle. To start with, they will have 2023 starter Rasheed Walker back, hoping to build on a strong debut season in which he was an unexpected starter in place of Bakhtiari. Despite some rocky patches, by year’s end he also showed signs of promise as a pass-blocker.
In the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Packers will also have three selections, including the 25th overall pick. If they use their top selection on a player like Troy Fautanu of Washington or Jordan Morgan of Arizona, they might discover an instant starter at the position; but, Green Bay does not have much trouble selecting Day 1 starters at the position on Day 3 of the draft. (Refer to Zach Tom, Walker, and Bakhtiari).
But the Packers will want to make
sure they have a long-term solution at the position—someone who can develop a rapport with Love—whether it is Walker or a rookie. It was during his rookie season as their starting quarterback that they came to understand Love. They now have to keep constructing the core around him.
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