Packers 2016 Recap: T Bryan Bulaga

2016 Stats

• 16 games played
• Pro Football Focus: 86.2/100 (15th out of 78 offensive tackles)

Expectations going into the season: Moderate
Expectations were: Exceeded

Analysis: Bulaga puts it all together in finest professional season

The first line of Bulaga’s draft profile describes him as a “good, not great” prospect at tackle, and for much of his career so far, that’s been an accurate descriptor. As a rookie he provided good, not great depth at right tackle. His injury problems throughout his five previous seasons in Green Bay have also lowered his ceiling.

But in 2016, Bulaga was a different sort of player. Participating in all 16 games for the first time in his career, Bulaga was nearly good locking down pass rushers on the right side as David Bakhtiari was on the left; he was the fourth ranked pass protector in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

Bulaga is under contract in Green Bay for three more seasons, and even if he only maintains 80% of what he achieved this year, he’s going to be an absolute bargain for the Packers. With uncertainty behind both Packers tackles, Bulaga’s high level of play now and in the future is going to be a key piece of Green Bay’s plans on the offensive line.