NFL 2018 Squad Preview: Green Bay Packers

Offensive Line - STRENGTH

NFL: DEC 31 Packers at Lions

The Packers had an injury-hit 2017 season at Offensive Line. The only player to play all 16 games was Center, Corey Linsley. Linsley had a decent season as the linchpin of the Packers OL, giving up just one sack on the year. The Packers showed they have good strength in depth as they used a number of different combinations of players, including David Bakhtiari, Jahri Evans, Lane Taylor, Justin McCray, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy and Bryan Bulaga.

This year, the Packers will hope that their line can stay healthy and string together games without having to change up players positions. Pro Football Focus had Green Bay’s OL ranked at number 13 in the league which is impressive considering how many changes had to be made.

Going into 2018 training camps, The Packers depth chart currently reads:

LT – David Bakhtiari

LG – Lane Taylor

C – Corey Linsley

RG – Justin McCray

RT – Bryan Bulaga.

Bakhtiari is arguably one of the best Left Tackles in the game when he’s healthy, excelling in pass protection and improving his run blocking. He is vital for the Packers as the leader of the OL. Linsley earned himself a new contract in the offseason, after his displays in 2017.

Bryan Bulaga will be welcomed back after injury. Bulaga has regularly played at a Pro Bowl level when on the field, but injuries have really hampered his career, playing 16 games in just 2 of his 7 seasons in the league. When healthy, Bulaga and Bakhtiari form an imposing pair of tackles for opposition defenders to try and get around.

Justin McCray has earned himself a shot at the Right Guard position following the 2017 season, where he was asked to fill in all across the Offensive Line. His play convinced the Packers to not re-sign veteran Jahri Evans. I expect the Packers Offensive Line to be amongst the Top 10 OLs this season if they can keep their core players healthy.