Rams named best fit for free agent All-Pro offensive lineman

CBS Sports named Rams as the best fit for former Packers All-Pro OT David Bakhtiari

Offensive line does not appear to much of a problem for the Los Angeles Rams after all their investments this offseason. So far, the Rams have extended Kevin Dotson, signed Jonah Jackson in free agency and selected Arkansas center Beaux Limmer in the 2024 NFL Draft. LA has certainly upgraded the position compared to two seasons ago, but more depth couldn’t hurt.

Jeff Kerr from CBS Sports recently dropped his list of his best fits for the NFL’s top remaining free agents after the draft. Kerr named former Green Bay Packers All-Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari as a post-draft option for Los Angeles.

“Bakhtiari is still one of the top tackles in the game when he’s healthy, which is probably why he hasn’t been signed since his release from the Green Bay Packers. A First-Team All-Pro in 2020, Bakhtiari made five straight All-Pro teams before injuries caught up to him (he missed 38 games over the last three seasons).

The Rams have Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom at left tackle, not really addressing the position in the draft. Giving Bakhtiari an opportunity to win a job and stay healthy is a gamble worth taking.”

I’m all for building up depth at key spots and a team can never have enough quality O-linemen. Giving Bakhtiari a chance is not much of a gamble at all — as long as he is given no more than a one-year deal. In his prime, Bakhtiari was undoubtably one of the best at his position in the league. He helped keep Aaron Rodgers upright, earning five total All-Pro selections in the process.

However, prime Bakhtiari hasn’t existed since 2020. That was before he tore his ACL in December of that year. If Bak had not been injured, Green Bay likely would’ve been in the Super Bowl instead of the Buccaneers. Well, we all remember what happened but I’m in no mood to rehash NFL history. DAMN YOU TOM BRADY, DAMN YOU!

My bad, just had to get that out of my system. BASTARD! Anywho, Bakhtiari has struggled mightily to stay healthy and has missed 38 games as Kerr pointed out. His injury history should concern anyone and to me, he isn’t worth the risk, even for a “prove-it” deal.

Now if he remains unsigned entering the season and (God forbid) an LA player goes down, that would be the only time I’d consider signing him. Anything to help out Matthew Stafford is a necessity after all. Until then, Les Snead must resist the temptation assuming he’s desperate to build additional depth along the line.