Green Bay Packers: 5 reasons the offense will improve in 2018-19
2. Tight end
It’s been a long time since the Packers had a reliable tight end. Ever since Jermichael Finley was forced to retire due to injury the tight end position has been inconsistent.
As we all know, the Martellus Bennett experiment failed. Jared Cook only appeared in 10 games and had one touchdown in his lone season (although, who could forget that playoff catch against Dallas?). Richard Rodgers couldn’t do enough in the passing game. In other words, it was time to bring in a superstar.
Enter Jimmy Graham.
Graham has been a pain for defenses since he entered the NFL in 2010. Although he isn’t the greatest blocker, Rodgers now has a big body to connect with over the middle. The passing game also just so happens to be Graham’s forte.
Jimmy Graham 60th TD reception! pic.twitter.com/NIGMO5XkA9
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) October 8, 2017
As Graham isn’t the best blocking tight end, Marcedes Lewis is one of the best. He came to Green Bay as a late free agent addition to help in that area. But hey, better late than never, right?
https://twitter.com/IKE_Packers/status/1000078036308545536
Then there was his big-time blocking when the games really mattered.
Playoffs. Marcedes Lewis getting Bud Dupree on the ground... Jags weren’t asking Lewis to just cutoff the backside, they ran AT him all season! pic.twitter.com/Hw6FiLUDjJ
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) May 24, 2018
Lance Kendricks will likely serve as the third tight end with the additions of Graham and Lewis. Although he had a down year last season, Kendricks is still a good option as a rotational player. He knows the system and is a good target in space.
With the combination of a catching tight end, Graham, and a blocking tight end, Lewis, the Packers have balance when it comes to two tight end sets. And with Kendricks behind them, Rodgers has quality big bodies for the first time in a while. This will, almost certainly, improve the Packers offense in 2018.