Green Bay Packers: 5 Most important players in 2018 sans Aaron Rodgers
2. David Bakhtiari, Left Tackle
When David Bakhtiari suffered an ankle injury at Packers Family Night a week or so ago, many fans (including myself) had to hold their breath. Bakhtiari is a very important piece to this offense, more than the average fan thinks. He will be good to go for the season opener on Sept. 9 against the Chicago Bears. It was a scare for many, but luckily the Packers avoided a huge injury.
Sandra Bullock said it best in The Blind Side: “As every housewife knows, the first check you write is for the mortgage, but the second is for the insurance.” The mortgage is Aaron Rodgers, the insurance is David Bakhtiari.
Bakhtiari protects the blind side of the best quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers would be in a lot of trouble if his blind side blocker wasn’t good. Luckily for him, Bakhtiari is one of, if not the best, left tackles in the NFL. He is an example of a Ted Thomspon draft gem. He was a fourth-round draft pick. Now, Bakhtiari one of the best in the game.
In 2017, Bakhtiari was one of the best pass blockers in the NFL. Pro Football Focus agrees.
David Bakhtiari, the best pass blocking tackle in 2017. pic.twitter.com/mihk4fl71z
— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) July 11, 2018
Bakhtiari has to protect a quarterback who likes to hold on to the ball and scramble a lot. That makes his job even tougher. Despite this, D-Bak continues to be one of the best.