Packers Offensive Line Ranked 16th for 2021 Season

For the first time in a long time, the Packers offensive line has legitimate question marks heading into 2021. The Aaron Rodgers saga has obviously dominated offseason storylines, but no matter who is under center, the offensive line is key to the entire unit rolling smoothly.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the Packers offensive line 16th heading into the new season. 

Packers Offensive Line 2021 ranking according to PFF

Packers offensive linemen rank fourth in overall grade the last three years, and the unit finished 2020 with the No. 2 overall unit in the league. David Bakhtiari is the NFL’s premier pass-blocking tackle, grading out at 94.4 in the department over the past three years — by far the top mark in the league.

On the interior, center is the biggest question mark. Corey Linsley is moving on after posting the league’s highest grade a year ago, but the Packers have added several versatile players, so they should have some options.

The Packers drafted center Josh Myers in the second round this year, though he never graded above 72.5 in his time at Ohio State. He likely starts at center in an ideal world for Green Bay. The Packers also drafted tackle Royce Newman in the fourth round and tackle Cole Van Lanen in the sixth round for added depth.

Pro Football Focus

On3’s take on Packers offensive line in 2021

PFF has a solid pulse on every position unit around the league and this feels like the right rank for the Packers offensive line this year.

How did a unit that ranked No. 2 at the end of 2020 (just a few months ago) drop so far, so quickly? The loss of Linsley can’t be overstated. At center, Linsley isn’t a household name, but every player in that locker room understands his value. The Packers hope to fill the void through their second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s a bit worrisome to see Myers never grade above 72.5 during his tenure with the Buckeyes, but obviously, the Green Bay scouting department saw something it liked.

We aren’t talking enough about the rehab of Bakhtiari, either. He has cemented his status as the premier left tackle in the NFL. The Packers rewarded Bakhtiari with a hefty contract extension before the 2020 campaign and he played as advertised until the injury.

The Green Bay brass has been quiet about his recovery. We could be looking at several new faces on the Green Bay offensive line this season.

The best-case scenario involves a healthy Bakhtiari starting in the regular-season opener. He will be the anchor, and the rest of the Packers offensive line can follow suit. This will be a quiet, yet important storyline to follow for all Pack fans in 2021.