Green Bay Packers offense should dominate over the middle in 2018

Thanks to the likes of Randall Cobb and newcomer Jimmy Graham, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers should dominate the middle of the field.

The Green Bay Packers have lacked a dominating presence in the middle of the field ever since Jermichael Finely suffered his career-ending injury in 2013. The front office has tried to fill the void through the draft and free agency, but have ultimately come up short in finding a pass-catching tight end who can stretch defenses. Insert Jimmy Graham and the Packers may have found what they are looking for.

Graham is a match-up nightmare for defenses. He’s too quick for most linebackers and his wide build creates favorable passing angles when he’s covered by safeties.

Per his standards, Graham’s numbers dropped considerably during his time spent in Seattle. His numbers dropped from 950.4 yards per season with the New Orleans Saints to 682 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. This sizable dip is not necessarily due to the fact he’s lost a step, but that he did not fit well in Seattle’s scheme.

Too often Graham was asked to put his hand in the dirt as an in-line tight end. He is not a great blocker and never will be. Asking Graham to run routes from a three-point stance will only hinder his release as a receiver, something the Saints figured out early on.

With the Saints, Graham lined up in the slot or on the outside as a boundary receiver. This allowed him to use his size and speed to gain better leverage regardless of who was covering him.

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Graham is the highest paid tight end in the NFL and this is how Green Bay should use him if they want to get the most out of him. There’s no reason a healthy Graham can’t once again reach 1,000 yards receiving in a season with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback.

His signing should help other weapons in the Packers offense as well.

Receiver Randall Cobb will benefit from the acquisition as it should help turn attention away from him in the slot. Cobb has seen his numbers dip over the last three years. Ever since his 1,287 yard season in 2014, Cobb is averaging 697 yards per year.

He must get back to making a Pro-Bowl impact if he wants the Packers to bring him back after 2018 when he will be an unrestricted free agent.

Cobb is a great weapon. And the value of a slot receiver is higher now than it has ever been in NFL history. His role in the offense will only become more meaningful with the addition of Graham and the loss of Jordy Nelson.

Graham will command so much attention from the defense that it will greatly benefit Cobb’s knack for finding holes in the middle of the field.

Next: Packers draft profile: Josh Jackson

Next season, Rodgers and the Packers offense will be looking to rekindle the dominant passing attack they had in 2011 when a magnitude of talent was split wide all over the field. It’s no secret that Graham and Cobb will be two huge pieces to the puzzle.

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