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. 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.
It’s quite possible that this will be Bakhtiari’s final season in Green Bay. 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.
Nijman may also be in his final season with Green Bay, as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. 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.
Tom will be entering the third year of his rookie contract at that point and could be tasked with starting at either tackle position. The Packers, however, will need to find his counterpart and also emphasize rebuilding the depth that this unit currently has.
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. 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.
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. 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. This is why offensive tackle could very much be on Green Bay’s radar during the 2024 NFL draft.
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. 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.
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. 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.
Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Jordan Love will have to stink up the joint if the Packers are drafting high enough to land the Penn State offensive tackle. We’re talking about Seneca Wallace in Green Bay bad. Sorry, Seneca. Loved watching you at Iowa State.
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. Instead, he’s back at Happy Valley where he’ll continue to dominate Big Ten edge rushers on Saturdays. With his long frame, athleticism, and strength, Fashanu checks all the boxes.
Joe Alt, Notre Dame
C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young? Which quarterback would be the first off the board was the main topic of debate last draft cycle. This draft cycle will be Fashanu or Joe Alt?
Alt, a former tight end is a mountain of a man (6-8). He has great movement skills and outstanding lateral movements in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, Alt gave up zero sacks and yielded just eight pressures this past season.
JC Latham, Alabama
During his first year as a starter (right tackle), Latham gave up zero sacks and just one hit. The former five-star recruit has a fluid lower half to cut off pass rush angles. Latham played left tackle in high school and it’s expected that he’ll be the starting left tackle for Nick Saban this fall.
Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
A former five-star recruit and Oregon transfer enjoyed a stellar first season at BYU in 2022. The Utah native stonewalled edge rushers, giving up zero sacks and just 11 pressures during his redshirt freshman campaign. With the departure of Blake Freeland, Suamataia is slated to start at left tackle for BYU this fall. The BYU tackle checks the boxes with his size, strength, and movement skills.
Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Morgan enters his final season at Arizona with 25 starts at left tackle under his belt. If it weren’t for a season-ending knee injury Morgan likely would have entered the 2023 NFL Draft and heard his name called early on day two or early on day three.
Amarius Mims, Georgia
Mims, a former five-star recruit, has logged 504 snaps at right tackle during his first two seasons as a Bulldog. After biding his time as a reserve, it’s time for Mims to showcase his talent. Mims looks great off the hoof with his size and it will be fun to watch his transition to starter this fall.
Graham Barton, Duke
Barton has the skill set to play all five positions along the offensive line. He started five games at center for the Blue Devils in 2020. Over the past two seasons, Barton has started 25 games at left tackle. Barton has quick feet and lateral agility to mirror edge rushers.
Jonah Monheim, USC
Monheim enters the 2023 season with 21 career starts under his belt, with 18 starts at right tackle and three at right guard. According to PFF, Monheim logged 608 pass-blocking reps in 2022 and gave up zero sacks and zero hits.
Javon Foster, Missouri
Foster enters his final season at Missouri with 28 career starts under his belt, with two starts at right tackle and 26 straight starts at left tackle. Foster is a well-built tackle with ideal length. He’s able to anchor down against power and has good movement skills.
Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Outside of Notre Dame, Oregon State may have the best offensive tackle combination in Fuaga and Joshua Gray (who scouts may view as a guard). Fuaga doesn’t labor climbing to the second level. He has a powerful upper body that overwhelms defenders at contact. Oregon State’s right tackle moves well laterally and gave up zero sacks in 2022.
Added Six-Pack
Here are six more prospects for Packers’ fans to keep tabs on throughout the upcoming college football season.
