Green Bay Packers need Jimmy Graham to step up in 2019

The Green Bay Packers need Jimmy Graham to have a bigger impact on offense in 2019.

Signed to a three-year deal worth $30 million last offseason, the Green Bay Packers were hoping to finally have a solution in their long search for a tight end when they brought in Jimmy Graham.

But so far, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Graham finished 2018 with 636 yards and two touchdowns. While he did finish second on the team in yards behind Davante Adams, his lack of touchdowns was surprising, considering he had at least five in all but one season prior to 2018.

A new offense might help. Far too often Mike McCarthy used Graham as a blocker and didn’t put him in the best position to succeed. That could, and should, change under new head coach Matt LaFleur.

Brian Gutekunst hasn’t been afraid to spend money in free agency in his first two offseasons as the Green Bay Packers general manager. But that comes with a risk. And with Graham entering the 2019 season with the Packers’ third-highest cap number at $12.67 million (behind only Aaron Rodgers and David Bakhtiari), he needs to become a key contributor on offense.

One thing we do know is that Graham will almost certainly be on the roster this season. According to Over The Cap, he was paid a $5 million roster bonus on March 15, which means the Packers would only make a cap saving of $333,332 by releasing him. They would still pay over $12 million in dead money. It wouldn’t make sense to move on from Graham considering the cap numbers. Next offseason the Packers will be able to save $8 million in cap room by releasing Graham.

I expect the Packers to add a tight end in the draft, potentially in the opening two rounds. But even if they use a first-round pick at the position, Graham will be an important part of LaFleur’s offense in 2019. The hope is he’ll bounce back this season.