Green Bay Packers FB and TE Best & Worst Case Scenarios
By Kenny Jilek
Mainly Backfield Guys
Having a fullback or wingback off the line of scrimmage can make a lot of great angles in the running game. From helping with double teams to letting your offensive linemen get up to the second level quickly, it’s a significant advantage when used right. We didn’t see it much last season, unfortunately, as Danny Vitale only played on 16% of offensive snaps. When he was in the game, there were some really great creative play calls which Dusty Evely did a great job of covering. I look forward to seeing more of these kinds of things this season.
John Lovett
So, John Lovett is listed as a fullback, and I’m sure that’s where he’ll line up a lot of the time, but he actually played all over the place in college at Princeton and was their full-time quarterback as well as their leading rusher during the 2018 season. He also punted twice while at Princeton. Yeah, this guy is not your every day fullback, he’s much more.
His unique skill set of athleticism, size, and throwing ability makes him akin to Taysom Hill in the possibilities for where he can line up and what he can contribute. He was with the Kansas City Chiefs last season but didn’t get to play at all. This offseason has been all about gathering pieces to play this offense and have as much versatility to fuel the creative play-calling mind of Matt LaFleur as possible. Lovett is another step in that direction.
Lovett’s chances of making the roster are still up in the air. It depends on how many receivers they keep, how many guys in the secondary and on the edge on defense they keep, and if he can contribute on special teams. If they think he brings more value to the offense than a sixth receiver, then he might have a shot. Just imagine a full-house backfield with him and Deguara ready to block in front of bulldozer A.J. Dillon. That thought might keep me up at night in anticipation.
Like in past articles, stats are assuming they make the roster, but there are no guarantees Lovett will.
Best Case Stats: 35% of offensive snaps played, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 receiving touchdown (it would probably look something like this)
Josiah Deguara
Deguara is the final of three Green Bay Packers’ high draft picks that comes into the season highly scrutinized and not because of anything they did. With everyone wanting a receiver to end day two or at least fill a perceived need like offensive line, linebacker, or defensive line, the Packers took Deguara.
Whether they could have gotten him later is a different issue, but the fact is that he is a fascinating piece for this offense. He can line up as a regular tight end, but also as a fullback or h-back and his versatility and athletic ability make him a real matchup difficulty. He can be a pass-catcher from anywhere on the field.
Deguara will have all the chances to show what he can do in camp and early in the season. LaFleur has raved about Deguara, and he will be given every opportunity to be the piece to spark this offense.
If he can make the most of those opportunities, he’ll be as big of a part of this offense as anyone in the run and pass game. The worst thing that can happen is if he misses blocking assignments early, can’t show that he can beat linebackers in coverage, or doesn’t catch on to the playbook quickly, which would cause him to lose playing time and possibly the confidence of the coaching staff. There have been no signs of that so far, though.
Best Case Stats: 35 receptions, 450 yards, 5 touchdowns
Worst Case Stats: 10 receptions, 100 yards, 1 touchdown