Green Bay Packers Free Agent Targets: TE Delanie Walker

The Titans have recently released tight end Delanie Walker and he could provide this Green Bay Packers team with a veteran presence at the position as well as a boost in the passing game.

The tight end position for the Green Bay Packers is one that has been in flux for a number of years now with no real consistent production despite them bringing in a number of high-profile free agents. And now as we look ahead to the 2020 season, once again, there is some uncertainty surrounding it.

As of now with Jimmy Graham officially cut and Marcedes Lewis a free agent, the Packers are left with only Jace Sternberger on the roster but I think it’s safe to assume that Robert Tonyan will be back as well, even though he is an exclusive rights free agent.

Both Sternberger and Tonyan have shown that they can make plays in the passing game and that they are willing blockers. While Sternberger, specifically, has the potential to turn into a legit TE1 for the Packers.

But the two players have just three combined starts between them and with tight end being one of the more difficult positions to transition to from the college level, adding a veteran to the mix to help provide some stability isn’t a bad idea.

So far this offseason the Green Bay Packers have been linked to Austin Hooper, but he is going to be expensive. Eric Ebron is another option but could be costly as well.

However, it was just reported on Friday that the Tennessee Titans have decided to move on from veteran Delanie Walker and the experienced tight end could be just what the Packers need for a season or two.

The soon to be 36-year-old Walker is certainly closer to the end of his career than the beginning and has spent the last seven seasons in Tennessee after spending the first portion of his career in San Francisco.

From the 2013 season to the 2017 season when he was at his best, Walker was a three-time Pro Bowler, caught over 66 percent of his passes for 11.7 yards per catch with 26 touchdowns. For the Titans, he was an incredibly reliable pass catcher with five straight 60 catch seasons during that span and had over 800 receiving yards in four of those five seasons. This includes a 1,000-yard season in 2015.

Also, keep in mind that he did all of this with some inconsistent quarterback play during his time in Tennessee.

More of a pass-catching tight end than a blocker, Walker has tremendous versatility to line up all over the formation which primarily included the slot and inline, but he also spent some time out wide. While not asked to pass block very often, he was solid and can hold his own. Much of the same can be said about his run blocking as well.

And take it for what it’s worth but Matt LaFleur was Walker’s offensive coordinator in 2018. So there is some familiarity between the two.

Unfortunately for Walker and the Titans, an ankle injury in 2018 would cut his season short and it lingered into the 2019 season as well. In total, he has played in just eight games during the previous two seasons combined.

At this stage of his career, we shouldn’t be expecting the Delanie Walker of 2015 and with Sternberger, Walker doesn’t have to step in and be “the guy” on this Packers team. As long as he can stay healthy he will provide this young tight end unit with a veteran presence and hopefully some stability as well as a reliable pass-catching target for Aaron Rodgers.

Walker is coming off of a two year – $17 million deal with the Titans according to Spotrac, but given his age and the missed playing time the past two seasons, he will likely come with a cheaper average annual value that isn’t $8.5 million.

Like the Green Bay Packers did bringing in Marcedes Lewis in 2018, a similar deal, albeit for some more money, could bring Walker to Titletown. However, instead of specializing as a blocker, he will help give this stagnant passing game a much-needed boost.