Green Bay Packers: Scouting Reports on H-back Josiah Deguara

Here is what a few different draft analysts have to say about Green Bay Packers’ H-back, Josiah Deguara, in their final scouting reports.

While the selection of Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft may have been the most surprising, the selection of Josiah Deguara in Round 3 by the Green Bay Packers was the most interesting. And it certainly wasn’t one that many fans were on board with initially.

Deguara was a tight end at Cincinnati and after redshirting in 2015, he would appear in 35 games over the next four seasons, including 26 as a starter in 2018 and 2019. Over that two year span, Deguara would have moderate production as a receiving target, totaling 972 yards at 12.6 yards per catch, with 12 touchdowns.

He would also earn second-team All-AAC honors in 2018 and he was a first-team selection in 2019. Along with receiving Cincinnati’s most valuable player award as well.

While Deguara’s numbers certainly aren’t eye-popping by any means, it’s his all-around skill-set that made him a prospect that Head Coach Matt LaFleur coveted. Deguara is a creative route runner, a capable receiver, he’s a very good blocker, he’s shown that he can lineup all over the formation, and he has a motor that just doesn’t quit.

With the Green Bay Packers, Deguara is going to assume the role of H-back and as LaFleur pointed out after the draft, he is going to have Kyle Juszczyk-like duties in this offense.

Juszczyk does a little bit of everything for the San Francisco 49ers and he really has become a secret weapon for Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. While Deguara may never reach Kyle Juszczyk status, if he can be effective in his jack-of-all-trades role, he will create mismatches for both himself and his teammates, he will bring some unpredictability to this Packers’ offense – which is needed – and most importantly, having a player of his skill-set is an integral part of the LaFleur offense.

For a closer look at Deguara’s game and what he brings to this Green Bay Packers team, here is what a few different draft analysts had to say about him in their final scouting reports prior to the draft:

Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network

"“Josiah Deguara projects as an ideal TE2 at the NFL level. There’s some developmental upside to get more nuance out of Deguara’s game, but he’s currently a blue collar worker in the box who brings needed scrappy attitude and blocking success to the point of attack and just enough of a vertical threat in the pass game to be a constant thorn in the side of defenses. There’s room for improvement, added nuance to some of Deguara’s route running, which could lead to a starting role.”"

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

"“Hard-nosed move tight end who will garner consideration as an NFL H-back. He’s a gritty blocker who plays with good positioning and works hard at sustaining blocks to help his run game. As a pass catcher, Deguara is sure-handed with good feel for soft spots against zone, but may need an accurate thrower due to contested catch likelihood and suspect catch radius. He’s the type of Day 3 prospect who flies under the radar, but ends up becoming a solid contributor at H-back.”"

Tony Pauline – Pro Football Network

"“Deguara was a consistent tight end for Cincinnati, and despite being graded as a street free agent entering the season, he now ranks as a potential late-round pick. He lacks great upside but possesses all the tools necessary to make an NFL roster as a third tight end.”"

This certainly wasn’t the most popular selection as many are quick to point out that the Packers could have selected him later on in the draft. But who knows if that is true or not. What we do know is that Deguara is going to be an important part of this Green Bay offense and he’s a player that LaFleur needs for this unit to be as successful as it can be.

And I’m all for making sure that a coach has the right players to operate his offense.