Packers Offense Will Reap the Benefits of the Tight End Additions
Look for the Packers offense to reach new heights with the additions of Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis.
By Ryan Brunner
Ask and you shall receive.
With the recent addition of Marcedes Lewis to the Packers lineup, Aaron Rodgers has to be salivating at the new weaponry he’ll have at the tight end position for the 2018 season. The signings of both Lewis and Jimmy Graham this offseason show that Brian Gutekunst has put an emphasis on the tight end position and its importance in the Packers offense moving forward.
But it’s not like Ted Thompson didn’t try in the years prior. The additions of Jared Cook for the 2016 season and Martellus Bennett for the 2017 season were great signings at the time that they were made. While Cook played a crucial role in the playoff run in 2016, we all know how the Bennett signing panned out for the Packers.
At the end of the 2017 season, the tight end position could have been considered one of the big weaknesses of the team moving forward. The additions of Graham and Lewis, along with the subtraction of Richard Rodgers, make this one of the premier positions on the team heading into the 2018 season.
The most significant piece about the two signings is that the Graham and Lewis are so different in the skills that they bring to the table for the Packers offense. Physically, both tight ends are complete freaks of nature. Graham stands a whopping 6’ 7” and weighs 265 pounds. Lewis is very comparable at 6’ 6” while carrying a weight of 267 pounds.
Graham falls under the prototypical new breed of NFL tight ends with his ability to split out wide, catch the red zone fade pass and play in tight during passing situations. Lewis plays more of the traditional tight end role with excellent run blocking capabilities and the ability to play the H-back role as well. In a two tight end set with potentially Davante Adams and Randall Cobb on the field as well, I want to know what defensive personnel package is going to keep those four potential pass catchers in check. Throw Aaron Jones or Ty Montgomery in the backfield and Vic Fangio will be sweating bullets on opening night while patrolling the sidelines of Lambeau Field.
Another man salivating at the new potential opportunities with the weapons available is offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. During his previous tenure in Green Bay, his most prolific offenses featured the likes of Jermichael Finley at tight end when he was putting up big numbers. The ability to get very creative with how to utilize the likes of Graham and Lewis has to have Philbin excited as he looks to implement a revised playbook in the offense. I can only imagine that more tweaks to it are being made as we speak today.
In the end, the signings of Graham and Lewis were made with the ultimate goal of making the Packers offense more dangerous heading into the 2018 season. With Aaron Rodgers steering the ship, the loss of his favorite wide receiver will be much more tolerable now that he’ll have new toys to play with during the upcoming season. I am a firm believer that having a dynamic, playmaking tight end is crucial to make an offense truly scary in today’s NFL and I commend Gutekunst for making the two signings a priority this offseason. Barring any injuries, I don’t think it will take too long into the regular season for the rest of the fanbase to realize this either.
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Ryan Brunner is an avid Packers fan hailing from Chippewa Falls, WI. He is a firm believer that punters are NFL players too! Follow him on Twitter @brunwardo
Comments (59)
NickPerry
May 30, 2018 at 06:26 am
Gutekunst added the best pass catching and run blocking TE available to him in Free Agency this season. As much as I loved Nelson I really believe Graham adds more to the Packers offense at this stage of their careers. Throw in the best run blocking TE who became a FA and Gutekunst not only made the TE a better threat in the passing game, but having a TE like Lewis just made Aaron Jones, Montgomery, and Williams even better.
I said it in another comment earlier... What's NOT to like about what Gutekunst has done this off-season?
Bearmeat
May 30, 2018 at 08:28 am
Great comment, NP. The only possible ding against Gute this offseason has been OLB. They NEED a veteran to provide snaps WHEN CM3 and Perry get hurt. We have two unknowns in Gilbert and Biegel. Yes, they have potential - as both high ceiling and high bust players.
Otherwise, yeah, I'm on board. CHOO CHOO! :)
Bearmeat
May 30, 2018 at 10:32 am
lol. I will always fail to see how stating an obvious fact "Gilbert and Biegel are great unknowns" leads to two downvotes. Come at me downvoters. Tell me why you downvoted.
I'm pretty sure my enthusiasm for the team as a whole is clear above...
hodge555
May 30, 2018 at 02:56 pm
I didn't down-vote as I only do when I really disagree (similarly I only up-vote when I really agree) but I think if anyone posts anything negative, even if it's an accurate statement, then they are a target for down votes.
hodge555
May 30, 2018 at 03:27 pm
You are a funny lot...
Ferrari Driver
May 31, 2018 at 01:37 am
I gave you a thumbs up.
Clay has had difficulty staying on the field for a long time and his hamstring injuries seem like an annual issue. Getting long in the tooth isn't going to improve the track record and it may simply add time to the recovery.
Bearmeat
May 30, 2018 at 01:53 pm
Great points. Busts is the wrong word. I stand corrected. What I meant to say is that people are discussing the Biegel and Gilbert as if they will be quality backups with the ceiling for more. We don't know that yet, and it's more likley than not that neither of them will become more than Vic So'Oto or Josh Hawkins types. Jarrett Bush-like success would be a home run. I'm trying to stress that day 3 picks and UDFA's hardly ever become more than special team standouts. Point blank, we need some resources at OLB.
Other than OLB, I really think the arrow is pointed up for this team in 2018, and 2019 will be stronger! You could possibly paint WR3 as weak for 2018, but that's it. And it is possible that a rookie will turn into an adequate WR3 this year.
NickPerry
May 30, 2018 at 05:32 pm
Well I gave you an Thumbs Up BM. I guess some people can't handle the truth. I admit, I wear some of the tightest Gold & Green glasses (except when it comes to TT) but your right...OLB hasn't been addressed other than Gute standing pat to see what he has AND hoping the addition of Wilkerson and Clark's continued growth makes up for it.
When you look at that ONE position Gute didn't do a damn thing different than Ted. He's HOPING, just like Thompson had done the last 5 years!
Bearmeat
May 30, 2018 at 06:48 pm
For the record, I'm not saying that Gute is doing a bad job. Outside of OLB, he's killed it. And you can't fix a roster full of holes in one offseason. Also, after Chubb, this was a bad OLB draft. I was heartbroken when Landry came off the board 2 3 picks before GBs 2nd round pick though.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 31, 2018 at 02:12 am
I agree with NP and JS. I don't see much out there in the way of help at OLB, and I didn't see much in the draft either. I give Gute a pass on OLB. He'd have to manufacture help with a trade, and we can hope for a cap casualty, but at OLB, they just don't come on the market much.
I know what Jonathan meant by Biegel being free. IDK, if TT would have selected King at #29, and still got King at #33, then I suppose Biegel was free. As someone who thought Watt was a fairly obvious choice, I am never going to think of Biegel as having come free, but that is just me.
Bure9620
May 30, 2018 at 11:31 am
Agreed NP, I have been a fan of Lewis for some time and I feel as though he has been undervalued. Just watch what he did for the running game and Fournette, he was blowing up DEs and moving them 2 to3 yards off the line. Hes a solid red zone target and good after the catch. Also, Graham was totally miscast and misused in Seattle, he blocked on 30% of their plays and he can't block!! He fits in GB and he knows it. No question the offense is now better post Nelson. I still think the Wilkerson signing will end up the biggest and most underrated signing of the offseason for the league. He is going to make that entire front very difficult to deal with, he could be dominant.
jeremyjjbrown
May 30, 2018 at 12:33 pm
"What's NOT to like about what Gutekunst has done this off-season?"
Trading Randall for Kizer. But I like everything else, so it's not a big issue for me at this time.
dobber
May 30, 2018 at 01:58 pm
They got something for a guy they might have just let go for nothing otherwise...
jeremyjjbrown
May 30, 2018 at 03:10 pm
"They got something"
Hopefully we don't find out if they did for a long, long time.
Lare
May 30, 2018 at 06:02 pm
After his latest fiasco, I'm guessing most Cleveland fans would be willing to get rid of Randall as soon as possible.
jeremyjjbrown
May 30, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Why? Who cares?
Thegreatreynoldo
May 31, 2018 at 02:23 am
I suspect that GB would have gotten something for Randall: if not Kizer, some other player or a day 3 pick. I am satisfied with getting Kizer, though I don't view him as free.
dobber
May 31, 2018 at 01:55 pm
"Gutekunst added the best pass catching and run blocking TE available to him in Free Agency this season."
It's too bad it isn't all in one player...
gr7070
May 30, 2018 at 07:35 am
I don't get the excitement.
Jimmy Graham is a nice addition. Sure. But he's far from elite. Looking at PFF *and* Football Outsiders he's poorly rated.
Marcedes Lewis isn't exactly a huge addition either. He's this year's Lance Kendrick - a non-factor. He, as well, doesn't fair well in either the best scouting ranking we have available (PFF) nor stats ranking (FO).
Are we better off than we were in January at TE? Of course. Should we be using words like salivating, premier, and weaponry? Hardly.
jeremyjjbrown
May 30, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Elite players are almost NEVER available as free agents. An when they are they get overpaid.
gr7070
May 30, 2018 at 12:46 pm
However, were talking about these acquisitions, specifically Graham and collectively the TEs, as if they are elite.
If not elite, we're discussing them like they're "premier", "weapons", and "salivatory".
To be fair muskets are weapons, too, I suppose.
jeremyjjbrown
May 30, 2018 at 03:16 pm
Well, not all of us. I just suspect they are an upgrade over Richard Rodgers and that POS Bennett.
dobber
May 30, 2018 at 01:59 pm
Lewis might not be a pass-catching superstar, but he's an elite blocking TE. He's not Lance Kendricks...and I suspect he'll play a lot more snaps than Kendricks (if Kendricks makes the 53).
Ferrari Driver
May 31, 2018 at 01:47 am
I didn't give you a thumbs down, but I sure hope you are wrong.
I wanted the Packers to draft Lewis in the 1st round when he came out. I will admit his career didn't turn out as well as I expected, but he has been consistent and his blocking has been well above average. While he isn't a speed burner, he can function in the passing game and requires a decent LB to cover him; his height around 6'5" will enhance him as a target.
Graham is the same player he was in New Orleans, but he has played well in my opinion and with his wingspan and decent speed may draw some double coverage. I will agree that he sometimes reminds me a little of Finley with the stone hands just when you don't need it.
Ferrari Driver
May 31, 2018 at 01:48 am
Typo: I mean't Graham "isn't" the same...
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2018 at 07:39 am
Graham, like Finley, is one dimensional. Neither block worth a lick but created match up nightmares vs LBs and Safeties.
Lewis was rated the best blocking TE last year in the NFL. He isn't a prolific receiver, but he can catch the ball.
Lewis was one of the big reasons the Jags were the best run team in the league last year. His signing was a coup and has instantly made the OL better.
Adams, Cobb, Graham, Lewis in line, Monty or Jones or Williams behind Aaron. Pass or run option will drive DC's nuts.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 30, 2018 at 07:37 am
If Jones can stay healthy, adding Lewis gives us a solid running game with actual explosiveness. Teams can't just attack Aaron when the front group generates adequate holes for a back with burst, vision, and instant cuts.
I still think we need a receiver opposite Adams who can stretch the field, however (no, I wouldn't put Graham out there that often). Guys like Adams, Cobb, Graham, and Lewis will face tightly packed defenses if we dare put Allison with them.
That other outside receiver could be key.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2018 at 07:42 am
One or two of the rookies could made the grade test DBs in exciting ways.
Philbin is gonna have as much fun designing the O as Pettine will igniting the D.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 30, 2018 at 07:45 am
I agree. But will they be ready? We desperately need speed at that spot, if only because virtually everyone else is a possession type.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2018 at 07:52 am
Unlike Janis, who had the speed to stretch the field...he did not possess nor ever grasp the entire route tree.
Both Moore and St. Brown were well schooled in running all the routes. Moore did have a case of the drops last year but he rebounded well. St. Brown had a down year, but the Notre Dame QB play was awful last year. He had a great season the prior year when Kizer was his QB.
Scantling is a dark horse but the kid can fly. Don't know much about his route running.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 30, 2018 at 07:55 am
Again, agreed.
But they're awfully young. I'm really hoping one of them develops way ahead of schedule, so we can start a burner to compliment all the quality possession guys.
CheesyTex
May 30, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Don't understand the dislike. Wouldn't all Packers fans pull for all 3 of the rookie WRs to make it ahead of schedule? Great size and speed, which is much needed in today's NFL WR.
Pulling for all 3 and hoping at least 2 make the 53.
GBP Lifer
May 30, 2018 at 05:38 pm
JS, i gave you a downvote just so you didn't feel left out when ALP gets all the downvotes
dobber
May 30, 2018 at 07:10 pm
Bearmeat wants his downvotes back.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 31, 2018 at 08:01 am
I have a little group of down-voters following me all the time on CHTV. I call them my fan club.
Tundraboy
May 31, 2018 at 05:44 pm
Let's hope one of the new picks surprises us. Hard to comprehend how a team with Rodgers doesn't have a deep threat. He will have one next year for sure. First Rodgers contract and then maybe a big FA next year, and or top pick. Gute knows what he's doing from what I see.
Tundraboy
May 31, 2018 at 05:36 pm
Double thumbs up. Hopefully one of the rookies emerge, otherwise next year.
RCPackerFan
May 30, 2018 at 07:41 am
What Gutekunst did this offseason at TE, was what Thompson tried doing last year. Gutekunst just did it better.
Graham is the perfect TE in McCarthy's passing offense. Similar to the Finley/Cook type of TE, Graham will boost the offense and give it a ton of flexibility. He is more of a WR then TE. Essentially he will be like our 3rd WR. Adding Lewis to me might be the more important move though. He can block and still is a redzone threat. His blocking ability to block will help allow Graham and others to make plays. Also it will help open up holes for our RB's.
The flexibility with both players will allow them to change the offense seamlessly. They essentially can go from a 2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB look to 5 WR look on any given play.
And we still have Kendricks at TE too. The 3 TE set might become a bigger part of the offense this year.
Teams are going to struggle matching up with the new look Packers offense.
One area teams will not like the Packers is in the Redzone.
-Adams is one of the best redzone threats in the league. He is also of the hardest WR's to cover. This video shows that. https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/1001296105165000704
-Cobb is still one of the Rodgers favorite Redzone targets and is also tough to cover.
-Graham stands 6'7 and can outleap most players.
-Lewis stands 6'6 and can outleap a lot of players also.
-Allison is 6'3 and can be a matchup problem.
-Clark is 6'6 and is a former basketball player
-Moore is 6'3 and seems to be a really good route runner similar to Adams.
-Valdes-Scantling is 6'4
-St. Brown is 6'5
Their likely and potential Redzone offense could be Adams, Cobb, Graham, Lewis, Clark. Good luck teams.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2018 at 07:44 am
The exploration of Lewis and Clark in the Redzone!
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 30, 2018 at 07:50 am
Sounds too good not to happen.
RCPackerFan
May 30, 2018 at 08:01 am
lol, nicely done!
mrtundra
May 30, 2018 at 09:33 am
Do we have a Jefferson on the team?
dobber
May 30, 2018 at 02:02 pm
With our luck, it would be George...but they'd have the cleanest unis in the league!
dpwiener
May 31, 2018 at 12:53 am
This is what has me excited. The Packers can line up with two outside receivers, two tight ends, and Montgomery (or Jones) in the backfield, and the other team will have to play run defense or they'll get clobbered (especially in short yardage situations). But as soon as they line up to defend against the run, Aaron can audible everyone out of the backfield and suddenly the defense is facing five quality receivers spread out on the line. So they desperately have to shift around to cover everyone. There will be confusion about assignments, and some defenders will not be in a good position when the ball is quickly snapped. Aaron will fire the ball to the most open receiver for an easy completion. It will be almost unstoppable.
And once in a while they'll do the opposite: Line up five receivers in a spread offense, forcing the defense to spread themselves out. Then Aaron suddenly motions Montgomery into the backfield, and Lewis in tight, and they open some holes and run the ball.
A (healthy) Packers offense is going to rack up the points this year, especially with an improved defense giving the offense back the ball.
RCPackerFan
May 31, 2018 at 07:55 am
I completely agree! The flexibility of the packages I think will be huge for the team this year. I think the key to it is Lewis. His ability to block will help make the run game a true threat.
Also with Jones and Montgomery they have 2 RB's that can run actual routes as a receiver. Both instantly become dual threat players.
I just really like the flexibility that this offense has. If they can stay healthy they could be one of the most dangerous ones we have seen in GB.
Hopefully a few of the young WR's step up!
I can't wait!
Savage57
May 30, 2018 at 07:44 am
Even though Lewis is viewed as a blocking TE, the numbers he may put up in the passing game playing alongside Graham could surprise some people.
Imagine the quandary those two will create in the redzone. Teams will be forced to allocate their best cover guy to Graham. Adams, Cobb and Lewis get the remainders in descending order. I like the Packers odds with the opponents 4th-best cover guy on a huge TE.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 30, 2018 at 07:49 am
And then we'll just give it to Jones, who will burst up the middle through a slight crease and fly into the end zone
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2018 at 07:47 am
Dez who?
Lewis brings a much more valuable skill set to the Pack.
The Run Game just got more potent. More options for Philbin and Aaron.
Tundraboy
May 30, 2018 at 09:23 am
"More options for Philbin and Aaron"
That alone gives me greater hope. Sounds much better than simply MM and Aaron, Bennett and Aaron.....
Tundraboy
May 31, 2018 at 06:48 pm
Sure dislike it but you know you're thinking the same.
Spock
May 30, 2018 at 08:21 am
The one concerning issue with this article is that there apparently is a new issue cropping up on the team: lots of people salivating. :) Hopefully all that drooling won't make for a slippery field, lol.
Hawg Hanner
May 30, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Failing to retain Jerel Cook was just another of Thompson's blunders. And this was a double whammy as it led to signing Bennett, who had to be the biggest free agent bust we've seen in decades. The article called these good signings but did a little deeper and you see the negative reality.
Cartwright
May 30, 2018 at 05:10 pm
While eating dinner my son asked me who was the last great blocking tight end for the Packers. I said Ed West, he said Bubba Franks. Didn't think Bubba was such a great blocker. Who's right?
dobber
May 30, 2018 at 07:15 pm
Ed "toolbox" West? I think he was a good all-around TE...underrated, maybe. A good but not a great blocker; he was a little undersized. I always thought Franks was a little overrated as a blocker.
stockholder
May 30, 2018 at 07:28 pm
Marv Fleming.
Chuck Farley
May 31, 2018 at 09:36 am
Luckily for the d backs we play against, Mike is a lazy ass and aint changing the play book one iota, so it doesn't matter who is running the same route, they know how to cover it.
OI should have known when he brought back an o coach who was on the team before, he had zero intention of changing a thing.
4thand1
May 31, 2018 at 10:58 am
Did we get a glimpse at the new offensive playbook? Philbin gets rehired we address the TE position. The Packers have a good running game that teams can't ignore, balance. The o-line is helped out big time when teams can't pin there ears back and rush the passer. AR was pumped that Joe P was hired and they will run this offense, MM won't have much say IMO. Having a QB that knows how to read defenses and can change plays is like having another coach on the field. I think we'll see more ball control and deadly red zone efficiency, AR may throw 50+ TD's this year.
Johnblood27
June 01, 2018 at 07:39 am
McLardy needs to learn to keep his foot on the gas pedal.
He plays way too much like a guy trying to win the coaches poll sportsmanship award.
Play to win! McLardy plays not to lose way too much.
If the opponent cannot stop you, too bad for them. Get a better team and plan, dont blame the winners for being too good for you.
How often did McLardy go into run 3 and punt mode only to see the opponent come out and try throwing the ball downfield time after time? If they're gonna try to catch up, keep pouring it on. Thats just professional competition.
Aaron will never see 50 TD's if McLardy doesn't get a better killer instinct.
lucky953
June 01, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Minor quibble: Isn't the phrase "new toys to play with" an overused, tired cliche? It's even worse than "additional pieces on the chessboard".