David Bakhtiari: Rising Green Bay Packers' left tackle
If there is one member of the Green Bay Packers who has had a great month and is destined for a bright future with the Green Bay Packers, it’s got to be left tackle David Bakhtiari.
With a new multi-million dollar deal in hand, Bakhtiari has been nothing short of steady in the early going of the 2016 season.
His quiet performance is the way it should be for offensive linemen. He is living up to that.
Shortly after the Packers re-signed guard Lane Taylor and then released left guard Josh Sitton, Packers GM Ted Thompson reeled in Bakhtiari with a newly-minted 4-year/$54.67 million contract extension.
Those moves came in light of the fact that the Packers also had nearly an entire offensive line that was scheduled to hit the free agent market after this season.
Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) walks the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Packer 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
It was pretty clear with the signings of Bakhtiari and Lane that the Packers were going with a youth movement along the line, which makes one think that Thompson will also, at some point, land J.C. Tretter.
How the team handles T.J. Lang is another question.
The right guard has been considered a top five player, according to profootballfocus.com, but so was Sitton.
But I digress … this is about Bakhtiari, a player who has been the rock of the Packers offensive line for several years.
Yes, he seems to commit penalties at the wrong time, but as Profootballfocus’s eighth-rated tackle in the entire league — out of the 75 ranked — it appears the Packers made a pretty good choice in re-signing him when they did.
So, what does Bakhtiari bring to the Packers? Well, he gets four more years to prove his contract, but he’s done plenty to earn it.
Let’s take a closer look …
Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) during the second half at Soldier Field. Green Bay Packers defeats the Chicago Bears 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
David Bakhtiari the protector
David Bakhtiari is crucial to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense and will play a key role in the direction of this season.
His play could be pivotal in a drive toward the playoffs.
The Packers have MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center; they’ve got one of, if not the best receiving corps in all of football; and they’ve got an ascending defense that has some key new players who have the potential to be the pieces the defense needs to take it to the next level.
Add in the fact that the Packers were three minutes away from the Super Bowl in 2014 and an overtime away from another Championship Game in 2015 and you’ve got a good argument as to why the Packers will be in the running for the 51st Super Bowl.
However, there is a long time between now and February 2017. Much can happen.
And one of the most important cogs in the wheel of success in 2015 for the Green Bay Packers will be the offensive line – and most specifically, Bakhtiari.
Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) lines up during the game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports photograph
David Bakhtiari: Blue collar talent
Had it not been for the knee injury that then-left tackle Bryan Bulaga suffered during Family night in 2013, we might never had heard much about David Bakhtiari.
When Bulaga went down in that practice scrimmage, the Packers didn’t hesitate … they moved Bakhtiari into the starting role immediately.
Much like the situation that occurred this past season when center J.C. Tretter went down, thus clearing the way for Corey Linsley to establish a name for himself, Bakhtiari did the same in his rookie year – 2013.
And because Bakhtiari did such a commendable job of protecting Aaron Rodgers‘ blind side as a rookie, he claimed the position.
When Bulaga came back healthy in 2014, there wasn’t any way he was going to be moved back to left tackle.
Instead, Bulaga went back to his former position on the right side and played all of 2014 at the position. By re-signing Bulaga, the Packers guaranteed that those two tackles will remain bookends for at least the next couple of seasons.
Over the past three seasons, Bakhtiari has been the immovable mover at the left tackle position. He’s played in 46 of a possible 48 games in his first three seasons, missing a couple of games late last regular season.
If there is a complaint about Bakhtiari, it’s the fact that it seems he always good for at least one or two false start penalties.
If there’s a part of his game that he needs to clean up, it’s that.
David Bakhtiari … consistent
In a post previously published by our own Josh McPeak, he put forth some statistics to consider about Bakhtiari when we think about what he brings to this unit.
More from Lombardi Ave
Here’s what McPeak had to say:
Bakhtari started all 16 games for the Packers as a rookie in 2013. When he announced he was leaving the University of Colorado as a red-shirt junior, it came as quiet a surprise to many. Even though he managed to make the second-team all-Pac 12 as the left tackle, the Buffalos were a terrible team, finishing 1-11.
In 17 starts during his rookie campaign PFF has Bakhtiari responsible for 10 sacks, 28 quarterback hurries, 5 quarterback hits and 13 penalties. The 2013 NFL campaign was plagued by injuries for the Packers and the durable Bakhtiari took advantage of the situation.
David Bakhtiari would again start all 16 games as the Packers’ left tackle during the 2014 season. His season would be vastly improved on an offensive line that only allowed Aaron Rodgers to be sacked 28 times. He would improve in every category, allowing only 6 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 18 quarterback hurries and only 9 penalties.
Bakhtiari played in 95.8 percent of the offensive snaps on the season – 623 of those snaps were spent solely pass blocking for a an All-Pro quarterback who threw for 4,381 yard, 38 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions – a season good enough to land Bakhtiari as an alternate on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.
Should he stay healthy, Bakhtiari will be the Packers starting left tackle for as long as he is able to play — or as long as the Packers will pay him. Bakhtiari would have entered this final season of his first contract with Green Bay. He would have been a free agent next spring had Thompson not opened his wallet.
Here are Bakhtiari’s career stats, courtesy of PFF
Ted Thompson loves those mid-level draft choices … especially when picking offensive linemen. Bakhtiari was a fourth-rounder back in 2013 and is another of those gems who has been solid for the Green Bay Packers.
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