Since his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft with the 109th overall pick, the left tackle has established himself as a mainstay in Titletown. During his first eight seasons, he started at least 12 games at left tackle; however, over the last three years, injuries have severely hampered him.
The organization is currently searching for offensive line bolsters after Bakhtiari’s release freed up more than $20 million in contract space.
Brian Gutekunst, general manager, announced that offensive tackle Andre Dillard will be joining the organization on a one-year contract.
The Philadelphia Eagles originally picked Dillard in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft (with pick No. 22 overall). He played for the Tennessee Titans last season following four years in Philadelphia.
Dillard has not quite lived up to his draft billing, and despite making a career-high ten starts last season, he struggled mightily while allowing 12 sacks and 41 pressures in 562 offensive snaps for the Titans.
Still, as a swing tackle or potential stopgag replacement for Bakhtiari, Dillard could play an important role for the Packers in 2024.Back in March, the Green Bay Packers announced they were releasing three-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari.
The Packers currently have Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom penciled in as the two starting tackles on their roster, and both played well last season.Tom earned a 77.8 PFF grade while allowing just two sacks and three penalties in 1,068 offensive snaps, while Walker gave up six sacks and nine penalties in 15 starts.
The Packers currently have Sean Rhyan, a 2022 third-round pick, slated to start at right guard in the wake of Jon Runyan and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman departing in free agency this offseason.
Dillard could very well be a one-for-one replacement with Nijman as the team’s top swing tackle, serving as the direct backup to Walker and Tom.
He’s played at every position besides center for at least one game in his career, though the best bet remains that he and Walker will compete for the starting left tackle job in training camp.
Still, no matter how the Packers shuffle their offensive line, they’ll almost certainly target the position in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. It’s a top-heavy class at the position, though there should be a few high-level prospects left by the time Green Bay is on the clock at No. 25 overall.
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