Is Packers LT David Bakhtiari a Hall of Famer?

The Green Bay Packers have proven that they know how to draft and develop offensive linemen better than almost any team. They have made many Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections over the years in the draft, especially during the Aaron Rodgers era. Packers fans know the names of Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Elgton Jenkins, etc. The greatness along the offensive line goes back decades all the way to the Vince Lombardi era with Hall of Famers Jerry Kramer and Forrest Gregg. Perhaps the greatest offensive lineman that the Green Bay Packers have had, certainly in this era, is left tackle David Bakhtiari. 

The former Colorado Buffalo was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and started immediately as a rookie. Going into his 10th career NFL season, Bakhtiari has built himself a career that is certainly worth Hall of Fame consideration. He has started each of the 103 career games that he has played in. No. 69 has been named a five-time All-Pro in nine seasons, but he only played in one game last season due to him recovering from an ACL tear. So, he really has made an All-Pro team in five of eight seasons. That is very remarkable. He has three Pro Bowl nods to go along with that but being selected to an All-Pro team is very difficult. The California native is just 30 years of age too. So if he can get a few more All-Pro nods or even Pro Bowl selections, along with a Super Bowl ring, he certainly will have a very compelling case for Canton.

In terms of his actual play, Bakhtiari is one of the premiere tackles of this era. His footwork, power and communication are all elite. He is unbelievable at walling off pass-rushers who insist on using spin moves and rip moves that don't seem to work against the 6-foot-4, 315-pound tackle. His teammate Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay offense would not be as successful without him. Without Bakhtiari in 2021, the Packers offensive line gave up 33 sacks last season (T-16th most in the league). When Bakhtiari played in 12 of Green Bay's 16 games in 2020, the Packers allowed just 21 sacks (T-2nd lowest in the league). 

The Packers should have the left tackle fully healthy entering the 2021 season. That is great news and quite a welcome sight for a team that also lost starting the Pro Bowl guard Jenkins last season to an ACL tear too. Once head coach Matt LaFleur's team hits the stretch run, they should have fully healthy offensive line back in place for a hopeful Super Bowl run. Hall of Fame hopeful David Bakhtiari will be the steady anchor on an elite offensive line once again.