The Packers met with an offensive tackle
The Green Bay Packers met with a top offensive tackle candidate in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Packers could be looking to bolster the offensive line should the team release David Bakhtiari. The team recently extended Elgton Jenkins, but the team would need another elite lineman added to the offense if the team parts ways with Bakhtiari this offseason.
The Packers could save $17.1 million by cutting Bakhtiari after June 1st. Losing the All-Pro offensive lineman isn’t ideal, as Bakhtiari has arguably been the Packers’ best player on the field when he’s on it. However, his injuries have often kept him away from the field on game day. And the team might wish to cut their losses rather than continue to pay an offensive lineman who isn’t consistently healthy.
Could Paris Johnson Jr. replace Bakhtiari?
Most analysts consider Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. the best offensive lineman for the 2023 draft. Late last season, Johnson was considered a possible replacement for Bakhtiari on the Packers’ offensive line. According to MJ Hurley, the Packers met formally with Johnson ahead of the draft. Johnson said he learned much of his craft from Packers center and former Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Myers.
“If God gave me the opportunity to be back with him [Josh Myers] in Green Bay, that would be amazing,” Johnson said at the NFL Scouting Combine Saturday.
The #Packers have met formally with Paris Johnson Jr.
— MJ Hurley (@mjhurleytdt) March 4, 2023
“I have learned a lot from Josh Myers. I jumped on his back and we took off,” said Johnson Jr.
He said Myers helped him immensely to learn that “he was good” when playing Alabama his freshman year. pic.twitter.com/JYnEc8axcJ
Johnson wasn’t the only Ohio State tackle the Packers were looing at this week. They informally met with Dawand Jones.
Source: the #Packers have met informally with Ohio State OT Dawand Jones pic.twitter.com/pjaLbSowBS
— MJ Hurley (@mjhurleytdt) March 4, 2023
Johnson would be a great replacement for Bakhtiari if the Packers are looking to save cash and start a rebuild around Jordan Love. But the team will likely to to keep Bakhtiari if Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay next season, as the two are friends.
