Packers 2020 roster preview: Marcedes Lewis’ experience key in 2020
The Packers made the right call to re-sign Marcedes Lewis.
The Green Bay Packers re-signed tight end Marcedes Lewis to a one-year deal earlier this offseason, and it was absolutely the right decision.
Lewis saw an increased role in the Packers offense with Matt LaFleur taking over from Mike McCarthy, and he’ll have an important role again this year now that Jimmy Graham is gone.
Will Lewis’ snap counts increase in 2020?
2019 stats
Lewis played in all 16 games for the Packers in 2019, starting 11 of them. He caught 15 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. In the playoffs, he started both games and caught two passes for 14 yards.
2019 review
As expected, Lewis saw a far increased role under Matt LaFleur than he did in his one season in Mike McCarthy’s offense. LaFleur placed a greater emphasis on running the football, and Lewis is an excellent blocker in the run game.
According to Pro Football Reference, Lewis only played 18 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps in 2018, his first year with the team. That was surprising as the Packers had signed him that year in free agency. But his snap counts increased in LaFleur’s offense; he played on 45 percent of Green Bay’s offensive snaps in 2019. He also started almost three times as many games than the season before.
Odds of making roster: 100 percent
While Green Bay did draft Josiah Deguara in the third round back in April, Lewis is a veteran in an otherwise inexperienced tight end room featuring second-year Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan, and rookie Deguara. The Packers will need Lewis in 2020.
What to expect in 2020?
After drafting running back AJ Dillon, H-back Deguara, and three interior offensive linemen, it’s clear Matt LaFleur plans to run the ball even more in 2020.
And that should mean plenty of snaps for Lewis, who is not only the most experienced tight end on the roster but also by far the best blocker.
Also, after not adding much receiving talent in the offseason, Lewis could see the ball come his way more often this year.