Brian from Maple Grove, MN
I think most fans look at OT as not an acute need this year, but it could be next year with David Bakhtiari counting 40M against the cap, being 33 and unavailable because of his knee. Yosh Nijman is a free agent next year, too. All the mock drafts I’ve seen show a run on tackles starting around pick 13. It seems to me value could meet a sneaky need with one of Skoronski, Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones or Darnell Wright there for the Packers. Thoughts?
First, to clarify, Bakhtiari appeared to have put the knee behind him finally last year before the appendectomy cropped up, but as you mention his age and cap number for ’24 are definitely concerns. I’ve been saying all along if one of those top offensive tackles is there at 15, it would be tough to decline one. No matter what picks they may get from the Jets for this draft, the Packers aren’t going to be able to accomplish everything they want to in the first two rounds. It’s an inevitable reality.
Kevin from Grand Rapids, MI
I have an O-line question. If the Packers don’t draft a tackle early, do you think they will look at Jenkins again at right tackle? He was penciled in there last year which didn’t work out, but I don’t think he was 100% healthy when he played there early.
While Jenkins’ versatility has been a godsend for this team, he’s at his best at left guard and I think the Packers would prefer to just keep him there.
Zak from Huntington Beach, CA
I read an article about a new QB helmet that substantially reduces concussions, in addition to the recent helmets that were specifically designed for offensive/defensive linemen. Do/can the Packers mandate these helmets as a requirement for their players, or is that decision left to the players (as long their choice of helmet meets league requirements)?
The helmets are the players’ choice, as long as they’re in compliance, but Red Batty and his equipment staff will happily acquire any helmets players want to try out if they’re interested.
Your 2023 free agency rundown post still shows four guys as UFAs whose status is unresolved. Are there any important dates coming up by which some resolution is likely?
At this point, there’s a decent chance there won’t be any significant signings until after the draft. On the Monday after the draft (May 1), the compensatory window closes and UFA signings do not impact the compensatory formula for next year.
Shouldn’t the Packers be picking up Jordan Love’s fifth year by now?
That deadline is also May 1.