Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Five players to watch for Packers Week 16 vs. Jets

By Jesse Fry

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Jamaal Williams #30 of the Green Bay Packers does a dance after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Running back Jamaal Williams #30 of the Green Bay Packers does a dance after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Green Bay Packers, Robert Tonyan
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 15: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

2. Robert Tonyan

Marcedes Lewis and Lance Kendricks will be free agents at the end of the season and Jimmy Graham is nursing a broken thumb. Regardless of whether or not Graham will be back in 2019 or not, now is a great time to give Robert Tonyan a long look.

Aaron Rodgers still wants to play and I may be in the minority, but I also feel he should. Developing a connection with his young receivers could prove to be big heading into next year. Developing a connection with Tonyan could be even bigger.

The Packers have not had a consistent threat at the tight end position since the career-ending injury to Jermichael Finley in 2013. Developing Tonyan has the size and measurables to be that guy. As a former wide receiver, he still has a lot of work to do blocking, but he is a ready-made receiver with a big body to use in the middle of the field.

Graham was brought in to be that guy although that never materialized this year. Graham could be still in the plans for next year, but with his broken thumb he hasn’t been able to use his hands the way he would like and has had some crucial drops. Last week a pass deflected off Graham’s hands and into a defender’s for what was a season-sealing interception.

If Graham is in the Packers’ plans for 2019, he will need as much time with Rodgers as the rookies to find that groove. Even still, Tonyan should see his snap total increase for the Packers to see what they have.

Home/Green Bay Packers News