Reports surfaced late in January that tight end Jimmy Graham would return for his second season with the Green Bay Packers. Graham’s inaugural season didn’t turn out as many would have hoped it would. While Graham did have 55 receptions, it was for only 636 yards. The most disappointing stat was that Graham only caught two touchdowns. With signing a three year $30 million contract last off-season, more is expected out of Graham. His return isn’t a guarantee though. Top personnel man Brian Gutekunst still could decide to part ways with Graham. Return or not, the Green Bay Packers tight ends need to produce more in 2019.
Change Is on the Horizon for the Green Bay Packers Tight Ends
While Graham is still under contract for next season, two of his fellow tight ends from last season aren’t. Marcedes Lewis and Lance Kendricks are both free agents and it is very doubtful that either will return. Robert Tonyan, a former college wide receiver who received limited playing time last season, will return. Tonyan showed some promise in limited chances, but he is still a very raw prospect.
With really no veteran depth, Gutekunst could add a veteran to the Packers tight ends this off-season. This year’s group of free agent tight ends have some possible targets for Gutekunst and the Packers. Tight ends that could contribute both blocking and in the passing game.
Free Agent Options
Don’t expect Gutekunst to break the bank signing a free agent tight end. Still, there are some strong options on the market that won’t command big dollar.
Maxx Williams, Baltimore Ravens
When Williams was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft he was more known for his receiving ability than his blocking ability. He was a standout pass catcher while playing at the University of Minnesota.
But during his time with the Ravens, Williams was mostly used as a blocker. Especially last season, with rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson taking over as the starting quarterback. While Williams only has three career touchdown receptions, it doesn’t mean that he can’t be a weapon in the passing game.
Williams might benefit with having Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. Rodgers loves to utilize the Packers tight ends in the passing game. Williams had 32 receptions last season for the Ravens, so he is capable of being used as a pass catcher.
Demetrius Harris, Kansas City Chiefs
This isn’t the first time we have listed Harris in joining the Packers tight ends. Harris, a former college basketball player from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chiefs in 2013. Since then, he has made himself into a solid NFL player.
To make the assumption that Harris is a “basketball player playing football” is ignorant and quite uninformative. While he didn’t play college football, he has paid his dues in becoming a “football player”.
Harris has been the primary backup to Chiefs standout tight end Travis Kelce for the past several seasons. While he doesn’t have eye-popping numbers, he has made himself into a very steady blocker and he does have the outstanding speed to stretch the middle of a defense.
It appears that Harris is ready to be more than just a backup in an offense. The Packers and Rodgers could put Harris and his athletic ability to good use if he becomes one of the new Packers tight ends.
Adding a Tight End Through the Draft
From Jared Cook to Martellus Bennett, and most recently with the arrival of Graham, the Packers have tried the bandaid approach when it comes to their tight ends. While Cook, has been the most successful, the approach seems to have played its course. The time has come to add a young player who can help bolster the Packers tight ends.
The Packers have two first-round draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The first is their own at number 12 and the second is the New Orleans Saints, which they got through a draft-day deal last year, at number 30. Many experts have projected the Packers using one of those picks on the tight end position.
This is a very good draft to have a need at tight end. There are three prospects that are projected to be drafted in the first round.
The two teammates from the University of Iowa, TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant, are at the top of the list. Our friend Daniel Parlegreco of DTP Draft Scout has Fant ranked first with Hockenson listed right behind him in his draft guide. Most draft experts have them flipped, but Parlegreco might be right, they are both that good.
Hockenson might be gone by the time the Packers get on the board at 12. But if he is available, the Packers might have to use their 12th pick on him. Fant has more receiving ability than Hockenson and might be available at 30, but after a solid combine performance, he is climbing a lot of teams’ boards.
If the well rounded Hockenson is gone at 12 and the explosive Fant isn’t available at 30, the Packers might look to Irv Smith Jr. Smith is an explosive athlete who played in a dominant University of Alabama program. If they miss out on Hockenson and Fant, Smith would be a quality consolation prize.
The Packers tight ends need to be upgraded. Luckily for the Packers and Gutekunst, there are a couple of options for them to do so.
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