Scouting report
Robert Tonyan, Packers tight end
Information for this report was obtained from NFL scouts. Robert Tonyan, 6-5, 237 pounds, is in his third season from Indiana State. The McHenry East graduate signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2017 but was on the Packers practice squad before the end of the season and debuted for them in 2018
Tonyan is tied for second on the Packers with 32 receptions for 391 yards, and his six touchdowns trail only wide receiver Davante Adams (10). Tonyan caught three touchdown passes in aWeek 4 win against the Falcons and has taken over playing time that went to Jimmy Graham last season.
“Tonyan has average traits,” the scout said. “He’s not a burner at the position. He is a little tight-hipped and he doesn’t have great bend. But he’s got some nuance to his route running that I didn’t anticipate in terms of creating leverage inside on overs and crossers. He’s got a pretty good catch radius. The thing that is probably the greatest upgrade for the Packers over Graham is he’s got some run-after-the-catch ability and he’s an upgrade in terms of run blocking. You can put him on the field and run inside zone/ outside zone behind him. He can reach block. He can climb. Not a mauler by any sense. He’s not George Kittle. But you can win with him as a blocker where Jimmy won’t block his own shadow. Is he as imposing of a red zone threat as Jimmy is? No. But he can separate, and that’s again an upgrade over Graham. “Last year, this year, Jimmy Graham isn’t creating separation. He really has to use his body and he’s not explosive like he was early in his career so he’s easier to cover. There are times he will still box people out, and we’ve seen it in the end zone with the Bears. But Tonyan is a guy who can create some separation and fits their scheme. They’re a play-actionheavy team and they like to use those tight ends in the middle of the field. They will scheme him up on wheel concepts and also use him to occupy defenders to create voids over the top for Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.