Green Bay Packers 2018 position outlook: Tight end
Jimmy Graham makes the tight end position a strength for the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers effectively swapped Richard Rodgers for Jimmy Graham. Of course, that’s before we take money into account.
If Graham can put up production anywhere close to what he did in New Orleans, the entire Packers offense will get a major boost. More on Graham in a moment.
Let’s take a closer look at the Packers’ tight ends.
Currently on the roster
Jimmy Graham, Lance Kendricks, Emanuel Byrd, Kevin Rader, Ryan Smith, Robert Tonyan
Who makes the final 53-man roster?
Jimmy Graham and Lance Kendricks will make the roster, but behind them? Your guess is as good as mine. The Packers will want some depth behind their top two tight ends, but I’m not sure they have it right now.
Mike McCarthy will be hoping one of the young tight ends plays well enough at training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. If that doesn’t happen, could the Packers sign a free agent like Coby Fleener or Julius Thomas? Both players could become solid second or third options on the depth chart.
Key player
Jimmy Graham: The Packers spent big money to bring Graham to Green Bay. The 31-year-old might not be the same player he once was, but he should still give the Packers a major upgrade at tight end.
The 6-foot-7 tight end is one of the league’s toughest players to defend in the red zone. He caught a league-high 10 touchdowns inside the red zone last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Graham also had a league-best 26 red zone targets and was fourth in red zone yards (108). Who was No. 1 in yards? Davante Adams. Yeah, the Packers could be tough to stop in the red zone.
Position outlook
Graham is the key. While he might not offer much as a blocker, he’s a mismatch as a receiver, and that’s exactly what he was brought to Green Bay to do.
Lance Kendricks didn’t play well enough last year, even when Martellus Bennett departed. He’s fine as the No. 2 behind Graham, but he hasn’t given the Packers a reason to believe he can be the starter. Maybe that’ll change this year.
Unless one of the young tight ends on the roster stands out over the summer, the team lacks depth at the position.
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