Packers offseason blueprint: 5 free agency targets, mock draft

2. TE Lee Smith

The Packers have had a consistent theme offensively over the years. Time and time again, they have struggled on bounce out runs off tackle, usually because their tight ends have been so poor at run blocking. Richard Rodgers and Lance Kendricks did not do a good enough job at helping seal the edges and creating running lanes for the inexperienced running backs on the roster.

Lee Smith is right up there with Rob Gronkowski as the best blocking tight end in the NFL. While obviously an infinitely inferior talent to Gronkowski, the Packers are simply looking for a trait in Smith. Adding a punishing blocker off the offensive line will make a world’s difference for an up-and-down rushing attack.

Green Bay can also look to add a receiving threat from the tight end position through the draft, which is ripe with athletic tight end prospects. Adding Smith on a cheap, savvy deal makes a lot of sense.

Green Bay’s current running back situation is too uncertain to not have savvy, reliable blockers along the line. The offensive line has aged just a touch, and the team needs both depth at the tight end position as well as blocking. It is a dimension to their offense that they have sorely lacked over the years.

Projected contract: One year/$2 million