Green Bay Packers 2018 roster preview: Lance Kendricks

Looking ahead to the 2018 season for Green Bay Packers tight end Lance Kendricks.

The Green Bay Packers have signed five tight ends in free agency over the past three years: Jared Cook, Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis.

The Cook signing can be considered a success. He was a key part of the “run the table” team that came within a game of the Super Bowl.

Graham and Lewis haven’t played a snap for the Packers yet.

The signings of Bennett and Kendricks haven’t worked out. At least not yet for Kendricks.

2017 stats

Kendricks caught 18 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. He set career-lows in receptions and yards. According to Pro Football Reference, Kendricks played 44.7 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps.

2017 review

It was a disappointing debut season in Green Bay for Kendricks.

Even following Martellus Bennett’s departure, Kendricks didn’t step up and play well as the starting tight end.

It’s no surprise the Packers have been active in their search for more depth at the position this offseason, signing both Graham and Lewis.

Odds of making roster: 80 percent

Despite his struggles in 2017, there’s still a good chance Kendricks makes the 53-man roster. It’s likely the Packers will keep three tight ends on the roster, with Kendricks sitting third on the depth chart behind Graham and Lewis.

Unless one of the young tight ends on the roster outperforms him at training camp, Kendricks should make the team.

2018 preview

If Graham and Lewis stay healthy and play well, Kendricks will have a limited role this season. In order to earn more snaps, he’ll need to improve.

Kendricks was a solid receiving option for the Rams. In 2016, he caught 50 passes for 499 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a combined 13 touchdowns from 2012 to 2014.

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But the 30-year-old didn’t play well enough last season, and he’ll need to improve to take on a bigger role in the new-look offense led by returning offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.