Packers need talent infusion at tight end
Fourth in a 10-part Packers position-analysis series with grades and biggest needs.
GREEN BAY - Brian Gutekunst had a big offseason last year, but he couldn’t fix everything.
The Green Bay Packers’ roster needed pass rushers, safeties and offensive line help, so that’s where their general manager’s primary assets were spent. Rebuilding the tight end position was another major need, but not a priority.
The only addition to the depth chart was Jace Sternberger, a thirdround draft pick. Gutekunst chose to retain veteran tight end Jimmy Graham for the second season of his three-year contract, although there were clear signs of Graham’s decline in 2018. Gutekunst re-signed veteran Marcedes Lewis to a one-year deal, and kept former undrafted tight end Robert Tonyan.
In the NFL, production often is attached to assets. The Packers got big years from their edge rushers, improvement at safety and steadiness along the offensive line. They also got little from their tight ends.
The position remains among the Packers’ biggest needs. This offseason, perhaps it will be a higher priority.
The good
Even with sparse production from their tight ends, the Packers’ 12 package (two tight ends) netted more big plays in 2019 than any other personnel look. Big pass plays out of 12 personnel included Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s 47-yard reception in Week 1 at Chicago, Davante Adams’ 39-yard reception in Week 2 against Minnesota and Valdes-Scantling’s 40-yard touchdown catch in Week 3 against Denver. The Packers were especially effective on play-action out of
their 12 package. Even if tight ends weren’t making the plays, it’s no coincidence highlights were more frequent with them on the field. The complementary skill sets of Graham and Lewis helped disguise their plays before the snap. Graham moved around the formation, as he has much of his career, while Lewis was mostly in-line.
The bad
It’s not that Graham provided no production. His 38 catches for 447 yards (and three touchdowns) might have approached career lows, but they were comparable to Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph’s 39 catches for 367 yards (although Rudolph had six touchdowns). But Graham’s three-year, $30 million contract, an annual average that makes him the league’s highest-paid player at his position, demands not only more production, but more playmaking. Second behind Graham in salary is Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, who had 97 catches for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns. On down the list is New Orleans’ Jared Cook, who ranks just inside the league’s 10 highest-paid tight ends ($7.5 million annually). Cook, whom the Packers failed to retain after the 2016 season, had 705 yards and nine touchdowns on his 43 catches. Imagine what the Packers’ offense might look like with Cook moving around the formation.
Biggest need
A complete overhaul. It’s not that the Packers can’t keep any of their tight ends. But they need both talent at the top of the position, as well as depth. They need more production here, in the form of receptions, yards and touchdowns. They need to prioritize the position in a way that did not happen last
spring. It won’t be easy — tight end is a tough position to adequately fill in the NFL — but it’s vital to the offense going forward.
Grades
Jimmy Graham: Finished with fewest number of catches and yards since his rookie season. Snapped a streak of eight straight seasons with at least 500 yards. Highlight of his second Packers season was a trio of third-down conversions in the playoff victory against Seattle, but big plays were few and far between. Lack of speed is evident. Grade:
DMarcedes Lewis: Key blocker in Matt LaFleur’s outside-zone scheme. Presented more of a threat in passing game this season, though his 15 catches for 156 yards and one touchdown were a far cry from his prime years. Solid veteran who becomes a free agent this spring but, at age 36, won’t cost much to bring back. Grade: C-minus
Robert Tonyan: Appeared poised for a breakout season after strong training camp, but it never materialized. His play of the year, an acrobatic catch down the sideline in Dallas, also became his most costly. Landed awkwardly after that catch and missed next five games with a hip injury. Made just 10 catches for 100 yards in 11 games. Grade: D-minus
Jace Sternberger: Trended upward at end of his rookie season, which closed with his first career touchdown in the NFC championship game. Versatile tight end capable of lining up as an h-back in the backfield. Showed more promise as a blocker than expected. A third-round pick, played in only six games because of an ankle injury that started his season on injured reserve. Grade: D-plus