Packers: Marcedes Lewis could be NFL’s best under-the-radar signing

Jimmy Graham, Muhammad Wilkerson, Tramon Williams, and Marcedes Lewis comprise a strong group of veteran free agents that the Green Bay Packers have added to supplement their ailing roster.

When the Packers signed Jimmy Graham to a three-year contract worth $30 million, the team had added its third free agent tight end in as many years. The team let Jared Cook out the door only to replace him with Martellus Bennett, who was ultimately replaced with Graham.

Jimmy Graham has enjoyed a great career with two teams during his eight years in the league. Graham’s basketball background has given him a unique skill set for the NFL. His ability to high point the football and be a consistent red zone weapon has made him one of the most coveted players at his position.

The Seahawks never used him properly though, and couldn’t figure out how to best take advantage of his elite size. Part of the problem for Graham throughout his career has been his infamous inability to throw a block. Despite being one of the game’s best receiving tight ends, he is unusable in the running game.

Lance Kendricks was brought in with the hopes of extending the offensive line and making life easier for the Packers’ inexperienced running backs. Kendricks may or may not make the team this year, because of the arrival of Marcedes Lewis.

The Packers signed the free agent tight end this past Thursday, further rounding out their impressive depth chart of tight ends. Lewis provides the type of skills that Graham simply doesn’t. Graham will torch defenses down the seam and in the red zone, while Lewis will provide the offense with a devastating blocker off the edge.

Lewis was the longest tenured Jacksonville Jaguar at the time of his release from the team. A salary-cap casualty, he was forced out of town after the Jaguars signed free agent tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul. Lewis had his best campaign in five years this past season in Jacksonville, snaring 24 passes from Blake Bortles and five touchdowns.

Those numbers aren’t legendary, but for a player who will be the second tight end on the depth chart, he will fill his role perfectly. The Packers now don’t have to hide Graham’s blocking ineptitude as clearly, and can use Lewis both as a secondary receiver or punishing hole creator for the running game.

Lewis is the exact kind of player that the Packers will be thrilled to have towards the end of the season. Lewis does just about everything well on the field, and provides tremendous insurance in the event Graham is contaminated with the incurable injury bug in Green Bay. Lewis’s arrival casts doubt on the situation surrounding Kendricks, who is now third on the chart.

The Packers did not address this position in the draft, but are getting themselves a helpful addition to their offense. The front office prioritized adding bigger skill position players to their offense, and boy have they ever:

Jimmy Graham: 6”7

Equanimeous St. Brown: 6”5

Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 6”3

J’Mon Moore: 6″3

Now enter Marcedes Lewis, who stands tall at 6-foot-6, and will be right next to all 6-foot-7 of Jimmy Graham.

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The Packers have themselves an interesting offense, and will be getting themselves one of the league’s most underrated players to play tight end behind one of the league’s best.