The Green Bay Packers have undergone some significant changes in their offensive line, particularly at the tackle position. With the departure of David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman, who moved on to join the Carolina Panthers in free agency, the Packers’ once robust depth chart at tackle is now facing uncertainty.
While the starting positions appear solid, with Rasheed Walker showing promise in his first season as a starter and Zach Tom displaying potential to become an elite offensive lineman, the depth behind them raises concerns.
Currently, the backup tackle positions are occupied by Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Kadeem Telfort, all of whom are viewed as big, heavy, and developmental pieces.
To address the depth concerns, the Packers are expected to explore options in the upcoming draft. General manager Brian Gutekunst has a history of selecting multiple offensive linemen in the same draft class, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he follows suit this year.
However, Brad Spielberger, a cap analyst at PFF, proposed an intriguing alternative for the Packers. In his analysis of potential landing spots for remaining free agents, he suggested that Green Bay could be an ideal fit for former New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
“The No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 draft has always had the athletic ability to play at a high level in this league; injuries have just destroyed a promising young career. More importantly than anything else, Becton played more snaps in 2023 than he did over his first three seasons combined. The 6-foot-7 and 363-pounder looked leaner in training camp and performed admirably as a pass protector despite the revolving door of quarterbacks operating behind him. He can be the lead blocker to the play side but often got caught up in the muck this past season when pull-blocking across the formation, getting his feet tangled and ending up on the ground.”
Becton, ranked sixth among available free agents by Spielberger, has had a mixed performance in his career so far. Despite a promising rookie season, he has struggled with injuries, limiting his playing time in subsequent seasons. Nevertheless, he returned last season and saw significant playing time.
While Becton primarily played at left tackle throughout his career, he also has some experience at right tackle. However, he has not yet played at guard in the NFL, which could be a valuable addition for the Packers given the uncertainty at right guard, where Sean Rhyan is projected to start.
Despite not fitting the typical profile preferred by the Packers in terms of size and weight, Becton’s potential contribution cannot be dismissed outright. His physical attributes, including his 363-pound frame and impressive pre-draft metrics, make him a compelling option for Green Bay as they seek to fortify their offensive line depth.
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