Minnesota Vikings: Stealing one player from every NFC North foe

Green Bay Packers: LT David Bakhtiari

When the Vikings signed Riley Reiff back in 2017, the intent was adding an above-average blindside blocker to the front five. While he hasn’t exactly been a disaster, he hasn’t been the dependable left tackle the Vikings are paying him copious amounts of money to be.

So let’s replace him with one of the league’s very best at the position.

There were several options to consider with the Packers. I could have snagged another star at receiver in Davante Adams or added a starting-caliber cornerback in Jaire Alexander. When the final decision had to be made, though, I couldn’t pass on the elite talents of David Bakhtiari.

With Bakhtiari at left tackle, Kirk Cousins would certainly have fewer excuses for his bipolar play. Although left tackle isn’t the only (or even biggest) concern along the offensive line, it’s the most important in terms of keeping your quarterback protected. Having Bakhtiari at left tackle would also provide support to whoever ends up starting at left guard (hopefully not Pat Elflein).

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to land a top talent at a key position who is only 28 years old. Plus, it would be great stealing protection from Aaron Rodgers — imagine the amount of pressure Mack and Hunter would be putting on Green Bay’s signal-caller in 2020.