The biggest strength of the Green Bay Packers coming into the 2023 season was their offensive line. Across the board, this was a unit that looked like it could be special. That is, as long as everything went according to plan.
Injuries have plagued this unit over the last few seasons and once again the Packers were snakebitten in the trenches. Left tackle David Bahktiari’s knee injury flared up in Week 1, which led to the team having to adjust the lineup. Luckily for the Packers, they have done a good job of building up the depth along the offensive line as well.
In relief of Bakhtiari, it was Rasheed Walker who was called upon, not Josh Nijman. Walker played well throughout the offseason program in training camp and preseason and earned the job backing up Bakhtiari.
A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it was certainly a risk turning to him. But, he has rewarded the Packers’ faith with some excellent play on the field. In two starts and a relief appearance during the Week 1 blowout, Walker has allowed only two pressures and zero sacks per PFF.
That has resulted in a very solid 68.2 overall grade, which is 24th among the 67 qualified tackles. His pass-blocking grade of 78.5 is ranked 12th out of 66 tackles. Offensive coordinator Andy Stenavich has been impressed with Walker to this point.
Packers sophomore left tackle Rasheed Walker, the No. 250 pick in 2022:
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) September 25, 2023
– Back-to-back pass block grades of 75.0+
– 0 pressures allowed on True Pass Sets (only tackle with 25+ TPS snaps and 0 pressures allowed)
Packers may have done it again
“He’s athletic,” said Stenavich. “He does not lack confidence, at all. He believes in himself and you can feel that. That coupled with just good physicality, good mentality, he’s got a lot of tools. He’s twitchy. He’s strong and he’s confident.”
It is a good thing that the Packers have seemingly found a capable replacement for Bakhtiari, whose knee injury leaves his week-to-week availability in question. The team can rely on Walker to not only step into the lineup but play at a high level.
With left guard Elgton Jenkins and starting right tackle Zach Tom both suffering injuries, Walker could become a fixture in the lineup. While he has played exclusively on the left side in college and with the Packers, Stenavich is confident in Walker’s versatility.
“Sheed is a versatile guy,” added Stenavich. “He’s very athletic, so he does a good job out in space. I’m glad we have a role for him there and I think he’s doing a good job.”
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