PFF: David Bakhtiari ranked as 23rd best player in NFL

Just in time for the start of the training camp portion of the NFL offseason Pro Football Focus (PFF) has unveiled its list of the top 50 players in the NFL. And despite missing the majority of the 2021 season recovering from the torn ACL he suffered to end the 2020 year, the Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari made the list at number 23.

Bakhtiari missed almost the entirety of the 2021 NFL season, and Green Bay missed him. Except for one appearance against the Detroit Lions in Week 18, the star offensive lineman was relegated to the sidelines dealing with fluid build-up and eventually undergoing a second surgery. Green Bay under-achieved with an early playoff exit despite being the No. 1 seed in the NFC due to a series of injuries along their offensive line.

“Another Packers player who missed almost all of 2021, Bakhtiari played just 27 snaps in the regular season in an effort to get back for Green Bay’s playoff run. Previously, when he’s been fully healthy, Bakhtiari was the best pass-blocking tackle in the game, allowing nine pressures across 446 pass-blocking snaps in 2020. A healthy Bakhtiari should still be an elite force in 2022.”

The Packers added Bakhtiari to the team’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list just before the team started training camp. It is likely that the Green Bay offensive tackle is still recovering from his second surgery. Hopefully, Bakhtiari is 100% ready to go but the start of the 2022 season. Fans of the team and the third-ranked player on this list, Aaron Rodgers, undoubtedly miss his presence on the field.

PFF Aaron Rodgers ranks as third best player in NFL

Although Rodgers finished last season with the highest honors in the NFL, he does not top this list for PFF, coming in at number three. He is ranked behind the Los Angeles Rams’ All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald at one, and the San Francisco 49ers All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams ranked second. But that does mean Rodgers is viewed as the top quarterback in the NFL, ahead of the likes of Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen.

“Rodgers backed up an MVP season with another, and even if he was a small step behind the leaders in overall PFF grade in 2022, his two-year run has been as good as anybody’s. His ability to avoid turnovers while still maintaining a high volume of big plays is unique, and he had one-third or fewer of the interceptions that the players ranked above him in PFF grade managed,” wrote the PFF team.

On a more somber note for Packers fans, former wide receiver Davante Adams cracked the top five as well, coming in just behind Rodgers at number four.