Packers: Marcedes Lewis would add important depth at tight end

Free agent Marcedes Lewis would give the Green Bay Packers depth they desperately need at tight end.

The Packers are considering signing the former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

According to Silverstein, Lewis will meet with the team this week.

This is a move that would make a ton of sense. I wrote about the tight end position earlier this week, and noted that general manager Brian Gutekunst could look to add a free agent this summer as the team currently lacks depth behind Jimmy Graham and Lance Kendricks.

Lewis could be the answer.

While Graham will be used almost primarily as a receiver, Lewis would be signed for his blocking ability. As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire pointed out on Twitter, Lewis was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded run blocker at the tight end position last season.

That’s exactly what Green Bay needs.

The 34-year-old can catch passes, too. While he wouldn’t take on a significant role as a receiver, he is 6-foot-6 and would give Aaron Rodgers another big target in the red zone.

Lewis caught five touchdown passes for the Jaguars last season.

You have to go back to 2010 to find his career-best receiving numbers. That year, Lewis posted 700 yards with 10 touchdowns.

But the Packers wouldn’t expect, or need, that kind of production from him. Instead, Lewis would add depth at a thin position. If Graham or Kendricks got injured, the Packers could trust Lewis to step in. While he wouldn’t be able to replicate Graham’s production as a receiver, head coach Mike McCarthy could use Lewis primarily as a blocker.

Considering the team’s lack of depth at the position, it should be a matter of when, not if, they sign a free agent tight end.

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Lewis would be a great choice by Gutekunst. It would make sense for the Packers to offer him a contract this week.