Green Bay Packers: Jimmy Graham dream-match with Aaron Rodgers
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers have finally found their solution to their tight end woes. Jimmy Graham should be a dream-match with quarterback Aaron Rodgers
When the Green Bay Packers signed Martellus Bennett last offseason, the hope was that he would solve their tight end problems. Admittedly, I thought he had a strong chance of doing just that. Instead, he struggled to put up numbers as personalities clashed. Bennett was gone before Week 10.
How did the Packers respond? By getting the safest bet possible, Jimmy Graham, in 2018 NFL free agency. You can argue with me that there are more reliable tight ends in football, but you won’t win.
Sure, Rob Gronkowski is the best at his position, but he hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2011. Travis Kelce is well on his way, but four strong years might not be enough time. Then there’s Jordan Reed who, when healthy, is dominant. His health seems to be a bigger concern than Gronkowski’s at this point though.
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Graham on the other hand, has eight NFL seasons under his belt. He’s appeared in all 16 games in five of those seasons (including his last two). The 31-year old appeared in 15 games twice, and just 11 games once. Then there’s the numbers.
Graham has just two seasons with under 50 receptions. In 2015 (his 11 game season), he hauled in 48 passes, and his rookie year (2010) he picked up 31. Meanwhile, he has just one sub-500 yard receiving season, that came in his rookie campaign (356 yards). Likewise, his touchdown totals have eclipsed double-digits four times (including last season), and only dipped below five once (two in 2015).
At 6-7, 265 pounds, it seems unfair that Graham can out jump most and has impressive speed. He’s reliable health-wise and more-than-reliable production-wise.
Pairing someone like Graham with Aaron Rodgers makes too much sense. Rodgers loves his tight ends, but can also sling it deep with the best of them. Graham is the best of both worlds. He can be a security blanket, getting those short receptions across the middle and taking a hit. On the very next play though, he could run the field and go overtop of any defender for a massive gain. Rodgers hasn’t had a versatile tight end like this in years.
Next: NFL Free Agency 2018: Grades for major signings
The Green Bay Packers have had a well-documented nightmare at the tight end position for a long time. Now a Jimmy Graham x Aaron Rodgers connection could become a well-documented nightmare for opposing teams.