Second of an 11-part position-by-position series in which the 60 players on the Packers’ 53-man roster and reserve/injured lists at the end of the season are graded. Playing-time percentages in the 18 games are for offense and defense only.
Tight ends (4)
Jimmy Graham (55.9 percent)
He’s entering the final year of a three-year, $30 million contract ($11M guaranteed) that he signed in March 2017. The Packers would save $8M against the cap by terminating him before the start of the off-season program. At 33, what does Graham have left? By cutting Graham it would force the Packers at least to try to upgrade. However, there’s a degree of risk involved because the three veterans behind him inspire little confidence. Perhaps the most impressive part of Graham’s game in 2019 was the fact he lined up and played every game despite nagging injuries. His speed has declined from his salad days in New Orleans. Some of his biggest receptions in the last two seasons have come when the defense ignored him. Some coordinators didn’t consider him a threat any longer. For their part, the Packers increasingly asked Graham to pass block, a sign of their decreasing confidence in his ability as a receiver. It also enabled him to gain entry into space on late leak-outs from the box. He caught the ball appreciably better than a year ago (three drops compared to six). As a run blocker, he aligned on the backside more than the play side. It isn’t that Graham lacks toughness. It’s just that’s his height and limitations in strength lead to leverage problems at the point of attack. Graham played 26.2 percent from a three-point stance, the least of the four tight ends. Grade: C
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Marcedes Lewis (45.1)
Lewis’ play-time breakdown included 62.8 percent with his hand down, 29.7 percent from a wing position and 7.5 percent as a split receiver. He averaged 30.2 snaps under Matt LaFleur compared to 11.9 under Mike McCarthy. LaFleur praised his blocking. He was solid in the middle of the season but wasn’t in the first or last month. Lewis was charged with 8 ½ “bad” runs, more than twice what he was responsible for in 2018. Despite his size, he found himself overmatched against some edge rushers and allowed two sacks and three other pressures. During his 12 years in Jacksonville, he often was a highly capable blocker. Now he’s more of a steady blocker that struggles to bend and sustain. As a receiver, he’s slow off the line and stiff adjusting to the ball. His contract has expired. He’ll be 36 in May. The bell has tolled. Grade: D
Jace Sternberger (8.2)
A concussion in early August cost the rookie practice time. An ankle injury in the final exhibition game cost him the first eight games. The Packers were smart to give him enough of a look (99 snaps) to know what they have entering Year 2. Sternberger probably would have been better served returning to Texas A&M in 2019 after playing just one season there. Judging by word and action, he’s motivated to become at least a competitive blocker. He isn’t now. Despite limited exposure, his 4 ½ “bad” runs were the second-most among tight ends. He needs much better lower-body strength to move defensive ends. He has a chance to be a capable downfield receiver because of speed (4.75 seconds in 40), body control and hands. His confidence borders on arrogance, according to scouts a year ago. He has a long way to go but the tools to get there. Grade: D
Robert Tonyan (19.3)
This was somewhat of a lost season for Tonyan. Limited to 13 games by a hip injury, he didn’t play a whole lot more than last year and finds himself in about the same insecure spot on the depth chart. The first thing personnel people say about Tonyan is, “He can run.” McCarthy probably looked for that more than LaFleur, but every coach wants speed. That gives Tonyan a chance. The previous staff didn’t trust him, though, and this one doesn’t seem to, either. He has made strides as a blocker, but games against the 49ers (regular season) and Redskins demonstrated he has strides to make. Indiana State or not, Tonyan isn’t a shrinking violet. He’s worth another look. Grade: D
(Photo of Jimmy Graham: Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports)