Green Bay Packers 2022 summer preview: Tight ends
The Green Bay Packers have some major questions to answer this summer when it comes to their tight end position.
That has seemingly always been the case throughout Aaron Rodgers’ tenure, as the franchise has bounced from tight end to tight end. Unfortunately, this season won’t be any different. We’ve already previewed the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers and now it’s time to take a look at the tight ends and what the situation looks like both now and in the future.
Here is a position-by-position preview of the Green Bay Packers this summer continuing with their complex tight end situation.
Currently on Roster: Dominique Dafney, Tyler Davis, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Alize Mack, Robert Tonyan, Eli Wolf
The Packers have a plethora of tight ends heading into training camp in July, but don’t expect them to keep everyone. Josiah Deguara hasn’t quite panned out as a third-round pick and is probably battling Dominique Dafney for the final roster spot. It usually takes a few years for tight ends to figure out life in the NFL and this would be his third. Head coach Matt LaFleur would love to use him in creative ways if he can get his stuff together.
Robert Tonyan’s injury situation is also worth monitoring. He’s working his way back from a torn ACL and might not be ready to begin the season. If that’s the case, Green Bay will have to quickly figure something out. Marcedes Lewis is a good blocker, but not suited to be a receiving threat.
Projected Depth Chart: 1. Robert Tonyan 2. Marcedes Lewis 3. Tyler Davis 4. Josiah Deguara
If Tonyan is ready, this is how I project the depth chart to look when the season begins. Deguara beats out Dafney for the final spot due to his status as a former third-round pick. Green Bay also takes a swing at production with Tyler Davis and hope he can continue his development.
Big Picture:
It would be nice if there was an impact tight end the Packers could bring in via free agency, but that’s probably not going to happen. If Tonyan can get healthy and return to his 2020 form, this position group should be okay. Considering the lack of receivers the team has, however, tight end will be asked to pick up some of the slack and they won’t be able to do so without Tonyan.
Next. 4 candidates to become Packers' no. 3 RB. dark
Long-term, there are tons of questions about how this position will shape up. Tonyan is a free agent after this season and Lewis will retire sometime in the very near future. Neither Davis nor Deguara have shown anything that instills confidence they could become the starter.