Green Bay Packers: Previewing the Tight End Position

Next up in our pre-training camp position preview for the Green Bay Packers is the uber-important tight end unit.

The tight end position is one that has given the Green Bay Packers fits over the years as they’ve struggled to find a consistent and reliable option in the passing game. Now I will say this isn’t because of a lack of trying as they’ve signed several high-profile free agents over the years. Unfortunately, for varying reasons, none of them have made a lasting impact.

Hopefully, that isn’t the case this time around.

Under Matt LaFleur, the tight end plays a much larger role within the offense than it did when Mike McCarthy was at the helm. And as the offense becomes more of what LaFleur wants it to be in 2020, it is incredibly important to the overall success of the offense that this unit is productive, both in the passing game and as blockers.

When it comes to who is going to make the final 53-man roster, this seems to be one of the easier positions to predict. With that said, we never truly know for certain how things will play out and of course, there is the opportunity to make the practice squad as well.

So as I continue on with my position by position preview, let’s take a look at the six tight ends that will be with the Green Bay Packers this summer.

Jace Sternberger

Jace Sternberger had to miss the first part of his rookie season with an injury but upon his return, he had shown that he is a willing blocker and that he can get open in the passing game. Although he only had four targets, he was able to haul in a touchdown reception in the NFC Championship Game. There was also the potential for a few other big plays during that second half of the season, but in a few instances, Aaron Rodgers failed to see that he was open.

Sternberger gives LaFleur the versatility that he covets in his tight ends with his ability to lineup in the backfield, inline, out of the slot, and out wide. As we look ahead to 2020, on the Locked on Packers podcast with Peter Bukowski, Sternberger mentioned that LaFleur wants to use him much more out of the slot this season where his size and speed can create mismatches. Not to mention that a productive slot target is not something that this offense had last season.

It’s evident that Sternberger is TE1 for this team moving forward and he is going to play a huge role in determining how successful this offense can be.

Marcedes Lewis

Marcedes Lewis is back with the Green Bay Packers for a third season and on another one-year deal. While he is nearing the end of his career, he provides the Packers with stability and a veteran presence at a difficult position with several young players.

We know who Lewis is as a player at this point and while he may get a few targets here and there, his primary job on this team is to be an effective blocker. Which as I’ve already mentioned is key to the LaFleur offense and with more two tight end sets in 2020, Lewis could very well see more snaps this season.

Josiah Deguara

Many were puzzled by the Josiah Deguara selection in this year’s draft, but LaFleur has mentioned that he is going to take on the Kyle Juszczyk role here in Green Bay as the H-back. That means lining up all over the formation and being a difference-maker both as a blocker and as a pass-catcher.

His skill-set combined with his ability to move around allows LaFleur to run a wide variety of plays with the same personnel on the field. This will ultimately create mismatches and give this Packers’ offense the element of surprise.

Under Kyle Shanahan, Juszczyk has been a secret weapon for San Francisco and while Deguara may not be at that level right away, he is going to be another crucial part of this Green Bay Packers team.

Robert Tonyan

Robert Tonyan was a former college receiver at Indiana State so he’s had to learn the nuances of the tight end position at the NFL level and unfortunately, he’s also battled injuries. However, in his limited action, we’ve seen that he can hold his own as a blocker and that he gives the Packers that big-play potential in the passing game.

Although still largely unproven, there is plenty of potential with Tonyan who will likely be the fourth and final tight end to make the 53-man roster.

James Looney

James Looney. That’s right, former defensive tackle, James Looney. As a member of the practice squad last season, after playing scout team tight end, LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst thought it would be best for him to make the switch from defensive tackle.

Now Looney has reportedly lost 30 pounds and will compete for a roster spot. Tight end is certainly a difficult position at the NFL level, even for those who have played it their entire college careers. So it’ll be interesting to see how well Looney adjusts playing there full-time.

Evan Baylis

Last season Evan Baylis would appear in five games for the Green Bay Packers while playing 65 total snaps with all but 12 of those coming on special teams. With an already loaded tight end room, realistically the best-case scenario for Baylis in Green Bay is making the practice squad and providing the Packers with some added depth in case an injury occurs.