I feel like I think about this every single season. Why can’t the Green Bay Packers have a game-changing Tight End? Why can’t we have a tight end like a Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, or dare I say Rob Gronkowski. Just a mismatch in the passing game that carves through defenses up the middle of the field and has their way in the red zone whenever they feel like it.
The last time we had a player like that at Tight End, it was Jermichael Finley. Finley’s best season saw him make 61 catches for 767 yards and score 8 touchdowns. Not too shabby. But even then, it’s kind of child’s play compared to over a thousand yards and double-digit touchdowns the players listed earlier have had. Perhaps if Finley didn’t have his 6-year career cut short he could’ve had a shot at those numbers, but we’ll never know.
Most of the drama this offseason has been around whether or not Aaron Rodgers is going to return or not. One of the few stories has been the fact that the Tight End position could see a makeover.
Current TEs at the end of the line
The Packers top two Tight Ends this season, Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis are both set to be Free Agents this offseason. They’re both highly regarded as “great locker room guys.” But after that, they only combined for 536 yards and 4 TDs in 2022. Lewis is often counted on as a hybrid Tight End/Offensive lineman, but Tonyan, should be much better than that.
If Marcedes Lewis decides to stick around for an 18th year in the league, he could be relatively cheap. Tonyan could go for a slightly above average contract as teams might seek to unlock his 2020 form where he scored 11 touchdowns. If Tonyan decides he wants to stay in Green Bay, I don’t think there’s a question that it would have to be a fairly team-friendly deal.
If they both walk, that leaves Josiah Deguara as the only viable TE option. Improvement is needed.
The Draft
There are several intriguing prospects in this year’s draft that could be available to the Packers in the early rounds. Ones that could likely be TE1 on the depth chart the minute they are drafted.
Michael Mayer is regarded as the top Tight End prospect in this year’s draft. He’s 6’4 265 lbs. and completed his final year at Notre Dame with 67 catches, 809 yards and 9 touchdowns. Mayer may not be the tallest, but he’s regarded as a natural receiver. His projection shows him in the final 5-10 picks of the first round. With the Packers at 15, I’m not sure they’d go after him unless they are content to trade down and stockpile some extra picks. Would he be worth it? Possibly, but they might find someone just as good in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Kincaid is listed as the second ranked tight end after recording 70 catches for 890 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2022. Like Mayer, Kincaid is still a bit smaller for a prime tight end at 6’3 but is a great receiver with excellent route-running skills. Kincaid could possibly be available to the Packers in the 2nd round.
Washington is the third ranked tight end on the list after recording 28 catches for 454 yards and 2 TDs in 2022. Washington stands tall at 6’7 265 lbs and is regarded as a blocker as well as a receiver. The stat line may look small compared to the previous two, but Washington had to split time with Georgia’s other top receivers and likely would have been a guaranteed started at most schools. Washington is projected to go in the 3rd round between picks 75-80. I actually have seen mocks where the Packers land Washington at pick 78.
If I’m being honest, I see Darnell Washington being the best bet for the Packers. Mayer seems to be too questionable to warrant much risk, same as Kincaid. I think Washington provides that big receiver threat as well as a blocker in the running game that will surely go far on this Packers team.
Free Agents
There are a number of upcoming free agent tight ends that could be intriguing as well but at this time are more based on speculation of whether or not they’re resigned before the Packers even have a chance. Evan Engram, Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki, and Hayden Hurst come to mind. However, all four I feel could end up being resigned as they showed great value to their teams this season. Even if not, they’ll likely command top dollar on the market where the Packers may not afford them at this time.
If there was a shining beacon on a rough Saints squad in 2022, it was Juwan Johnson. Johnson achieved 425 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022. You might think, if that’s the one shining beacon, why wouldn’t the Saints resign him? Well, despite his nice stat-line, Johnson is still viewed as a work in progress. This could make him a little more affordable for the Packers to sign, and less desirable to the Saints who want guaranteed contributions soon.
My thoughts
If I’m the Packers this offseason, I would kick the tires on Juwan Johnson and try to draft either Dalton Kincaid, or Darnell Washington. Michael Mayer might have some hype behind him, but his current draft projection is called in to question. You don’t want to spend a top 15 pick on a player that could drop 10 picks later. Unless trading up is an affordable option, I just don’t see it. Kincaid and Washington will likely be available in the 2nd round, and possibly one of them in the 3rd.
I believe these players could transform the Packers Tight End position and hopefully turn it into a position of great strength.
Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
——————
