Fantasy Football - Should You Care That Bryan Bulaga Is Out For the Season?

With so much emphasis on QB's, running backs and receivers, offensive lineman do not really get any fantasy football love. After all, you don't draft guys like recent Hall of Fame inductee Jonathan Ogden.  You draft guys like Adrian Peterson.

True, but guys like Ogden do play a part in your offensive guys numbers, don't they?  If you're drafting the likes of Aaron Rodgers, you want him to not only stay healthy all year round but you also want him to be able to put up the numbers which he is capable.  That means that his offensive line needs to be good and he needs to have receivers who can catch the ball and a running game that can help out, as well.

So, no, you are not drafting offensive linemen but they sure as heck need to be part of your homework when putting together your draft lists.  That is why paying attention to the torn ACL suffered by Packers' offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, is important.

The Packers were switching their offensive line around this year, trying to get a little more protection for Aaron Rodgers.  Bulaga and right guard Josh Sittion were moving to the left side, with T.J. Lang moving from left to right guard and possibly Marshall Newhouse and a couple of first and second year guys, battling it out for right tackle.  Now, the entire line is in flux.  Does the flip-flop stay, with rookie David Bakhtiari protecting Rodgers' blind side and Sitton staying on the left side also?  Does Newhouse go back to his old position at left tackle?  Do they sign a street free agent still out there to help?  Lots of questions that will affect that entire offense.

Obviously, Aaron Rodgers will be drafted high, but the offensive line woes does make you think about WHERE you draft him.  If he is going to be running for his life fairly regularly, that might make you think a little harder as to where to place him on your board.  Do you draft a running back instead, with that first pick? 

One of Rodgers' best receivers, Jordy Nelson, is missing all of training camp with a knee injury, which is another chink in the offensive armor up in Green Bay.  They lost Greg Jennings (who suddenly needs to be on his own talk show...).  Again, lots of questions, but makes you think about the other factors that play into an offensive guys' numbers.  When your main points are coming from QB's, RB's and receivers, you have to take a look at the rest of that team to make more of an informed decision come draft time.