![]() ![]() This draft cycle will be Fashanu or Joe Alt?Īlt, a former tight end is a mountain of a man (6-8). Stroud or Bryce Young? Which quarterback would be the first off the board was the main topic of debate last draft cycle. ![]() With his long frame, athleticism, and strength, Fashanu checks all the boxes. Instead, he’s back at Happy Valley where he’ll continue to dominate Big Ten edge rushers on Saturdays. If Fashanu would have declared for the 2023 NFL Draft he likely would have been the first offensive tackle off the board and a Top 10 pick. We’re talking about Seneca Wallace in Green Bay bad. Jordan Love will have to stink up the joint if the Packers are drafting high enough to land the Penn State offensive tackle. Given the potential need that Green Bay could have at offensive tackle next offseason there may be a future Packer in this group, especially with offensive tackle being a position that they are willing to spend a first round pick on. With Week 1 of the college football season not too far off, Packers draft contributor Brennen Rupp has highlighted some of the top offensive tackles to keep your eyes on this fall. They will also potentially have two first-round picks, their own and the New York Jets, if Aaron Rodgers plays 65% of the offensive snaps this season, giving the Packers more options and flexibility. The good news for the Packers is that the early projections show that this upcoming draft class of tackles is expected to be a very good one - giving Green Bay options. This is why offensive tackle could very much be on Green Bay’s radar during the 2024 NFL draft. What we’ve seen from Nijman from a developmental standpoint as an undrafted rookie is not the norm and not something the Packers should necessarily bank on repeating. ![]() However, relying heavily on late-round or undrafted players to step in and be the starter, even with experience in the offensive system, is risky. All three are on a similar trajectory as Nijman was, where their first two seasons are for development, and in Year 3 - which would be 2024 for each player - is where they could take on a larger role. GM Brian Gutekunst has already begun preparing for the 2024 offseason at the offensive tackle position by drafting Rasheed Walker in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, claiming Luke Tenuta off waivers, and signing 2022 undrafted rookie Caleb Jones. The Packers, however, will need to find his counterpart and also emphasize rebuilding the depth that this unit currently has. Tom will be entering the third year of his rookie contract at that point and could be tasked with starting at either tackle position. Perhaps the Packers will try to work out an extension beforehand or let him test his free-agent market before making an offer, but as of now, there are unknowns around his future with the Packers. Nijman may also be in his final season with Green Bay, as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. From a contract standpoint, the team can save $21.5 million on cap space next offseason, according to Over the Cap, if they move on from him, and that may also be what Bakhtiari wants, depending on how close he feels that the Packers are to competing for a Super Bowl. It’s quite possible that this will be Bakhtiari’s final season in Green Bay. But if we take a look ahead to 2024, there becomes a lot of potential uncertainty at one of the game’s most important positions. ![]() The Green Bay Packers are positioned well at the offensive tackle position in 2023, with David Bakhtiari on the left side and two capable starters in Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom competing for playing time at right tackle. ![]()
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