Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Green Bay Packers post-draft position review: Tight end

By Freddie Boston

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 13: Jace Sternberger #81 of the Texas A&M Aggies gets past Bryson Allen-Williams #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 13: Jace Sternberger #81 of the Texas A&M Aggies gets past Bryson Allen-Williams #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Can third-round pick Jace Sternberger help fix the Green Bay Packers’ need at tight end?

The Green Bay Packers haven’t had a ton of success at the tight end position in recent years, despite making multiple signings in free agency since 2016.

They’ll be hoping that changes this season with Matt LaFleur at head coach. Can he get the best out of a talented group of tight ends?

Let’s take a look at the tight ends on the roster.

Currently on the roster

Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan, Evan Baylis, Davis Koppenhaver

Offseason moves

The Packers re-signed Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan this offseason, and then used their third-round selection in the draft to add Jace Sternberger from Texas A&M.

Improved from 2018?

Yes.

By adding a talented pass-catching tight end in the draft, the Packers have improved at tight end. The Packers will also be hoping Jimmy Graham can make an impact in his second season after a disappointing debut year in Green Bay. With Graham and Sternberger, Green Bay could have two excellent red-zone threats, and Sternberger is also excellent after the catch.

Key player

Jimmy Graham.

The Packers need Graham to play at the level they expected when they signed him to a three-year deal last offseason. Graham finished with 636 yards in 2018, which was good for second on the team, but he only caught two touchdowns, which was the biggest surprise considering he was coming off a 10-touchdown year in Seattle.

Will Graham find the end zone more frequently in LaFleur’s offense?

Position outlook

Will the Packers keep four tight ends on the roster? Right now, it looks like they will: Graham, Lewis, Sternberger and Tonyan. Out of the group, Lewis is far and away the best blocker, whereas Graham and Sternberger will be mostly featured as receivers.

Graham and Lewis could also be playing their final seasons in Green Bay. Lewis is a free agent again in 2020, and the Packers could make a cap saving of around $8 million by releasing Graham next offseason, according to Spotrac.

It’ll be interesting to see how LaFleur uses Sternberger, and also whether the third-round pick is the eventual No. 1 tight end for the Packers.

Overall, the Packers have plenty of talent and experience at tight end. They just need better production on the field.

Home/Green Bay Packers News