All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari envisions a Year 2 jump from guard Elgton Jenkins helping power a Green Bay Packers offensive line to another level of “dominance” in 2020.
Bakhtiari believes Jenkins, a second-round pick who started 14 games and was selected to the All-Rookie team in 2019, has the talent and instincts to be “as good as he wants to be.”
“He’s very naturally gifted. I think the thing that separates him is his instincts as a football player,” Bakhtiari said during a Zoom conference call on Tuesday. “When you can’t really explain why you’re doing certain stuff but you’re doing it, as someone who can relate to that earlier on in my career, that’s extremely effective. When you’re just playing fast and answering questions and you don’t really know why you’re doing it, that’s awesome because you’re not even thinking about it.”
Jenkins, the 44th overall pick, took over as the starting left guard in Week 3 of last season and went on to start the next 16 games, including the postseason. He didn’t allow a single sack, according to Pro Football Focus, and ESPN rated him as the eighth-best guard in the NFL in terms of pass-block win rate.
Overall, the Packers were first in pass-block win rate as an offensive line.
A jump in development from Jenkins in 2020 could put him squarely in the Pro Bowl conversation in Year 2 while also helping the Packers offensive line – which returns four of five starters – progress in the second year of Matt LaFleur’s offense.
“I’m excited. Year 2 is usually your biggest jump,” Bakhtiari said. “He has a chance to make a big jump in his career both on the individual side and collectively as a team, really propel our line to another level of dominance that I expect us to have.”
While Bakhtiari and Jenkins form one of the NFL’s best duos on the left side of the offensive line, veteran Rick Wagner – who was released by the Detroit Lions after a disappointing season – will attempt to replace right tackle Bryan Bulaga, the lone departure from the offensive line. Center Corey Linsley and right guard Billy Turner – and former starter Lane Taylor – all return in 2020.
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