By Alex Berger
Before free agency officially opens on March 11th, we'll be combing through the Packers roster position by position to see what changes may need to come if the Lombardi trophy is to come home next year.
Here's a look at the Packers' offensive line before the 2014 season.
Players Under Contract: Bryan Bulaga, David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Lane Taylor, Don Barclay, Derek Sherrod, J.C. Tretter
Bryan Bulaga missed all of 2013 after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason. Bulaga was in the midst of a transition from right to left tackle when he went down, making Bakhtiari the starting left tackle for the entire season. Bulaga is expected to return to form next season as he played at a fairly high level during his first three seasons as a pro.
David Bakhtiari was drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he had a very productive first season As a rookie, he started all 16 regular season games and the postseason contest. Bakhtiari had his ups and downs, but overall played fairly well given the fact that he was not supposed to be starting this early in his career. It will be interesting to see if the Packers transition Bulaga back to right tackle to allow Bakhtiari to continue to develop as the starting left tackle.
Josh Sitton is the best player on the Packers' offensive line. Considered an elite guard, Sitton has been either first or second team All-Pro over the last two seasons. Expect Sitton to continue to be the anchor of the group in 2014.
T.J. Lang is often lost in the shuffle playing across from Sitton, however he is a quality starter. Over the past two seasons, Lang has the most starts of any Packers' offensive lineman. In his career, he has started at three different positions (LG, LT, and RT), offering the Packers a ton of versatility. Lang will likely continue to be a solid player for the offensive line next season, joining Sitton to form a very solid group of guards.
Lane Taylor signed with the Packers after going undrafted last May. During his rookie season, Taylor provided interior depth, playing in 10 games (no starts). Taylor needs work as a pass-blocker, but is a very strong run-blocker and is a nice weapon to have on 3rd-and-short type plays.
Don Barclay was the Packers' starting right tackle in 2013. As one of the best run blockers on the team, Barclay consistently helped Lacy be successful during his rookie campaign. Barclay may be reverted to a backup tackle next season if the Packers go with the Bakhtiari-Bulaga duo instead.
Derek Sherrod has never lived up to his first round draft pick status. In 2014, expect Sherrod to be a backup at both tackle and guard.
J.C. Tretter was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. A tackle in college, he was transitioned to played guard and center for the Packers. After breaking his leg in training camp, he missed the first 13 games of the season before serving as a backup during the final three regular season contests. As the only center on the Packers' roster currently, Tretter could potentially enter 2014 as the Rodgers' "center of the future," as the elite QB has expressed interest in finding a consistent partner for the remainder of his career.
Free Agents: Evan Dietrich-Smith, Marshall Newhouse
Evan Dietrich-Smith was the Packers' starting center in 2013. Aaron Rodgers has expressed interest in the Packers resigning Dietrich-Smith, saying "I think you see that with Evan and I, the opportunity to play together for an extended period of time and that would be kind of a quarterback’s dream."
Marshall Newhouse was used as a swing tackle last season, backing up Bahktiari and Barclay. The Packers are out of ways to use Newhouse, who has failed in every role he has been given. Do not expect him back with the team in 2014.
My Tips for Ted:
As for the tackles, I believe the Packers need to keep Bulaga as a right tackle and allow Bakhtiari to start at left tackle again as he showed potential in 2013. Bulaga has been a successful right tackle and avoiding the daunting change might be for the better. I believe the guards are set, as they look to continue to be a strong point on the offensive line again next season. At center, I am on board with Rodgers, hoping that Dietrich-Smith is the center of the future in Green Bay. Starting Tretter would be too much of a risk for a team that needs its offense to carry the team. If the team opens the season with Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Sitton, Lang, and Dietrich-Smith, I believe the group has the potential to be very strong.
Grade: B
With above-average guards, a promising young left tackle, and Bulaga and Dietrich-Smith back in the fold, look for a good season from the Packers' offensive line.
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