Green Bay Packers: 5 Players to watch vs. Vikings in Week 2

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Jimmy Graham, Tight End

It wasn’t the Green Bay Packers debut Jimmy Graham was looking for. After the one drive Rodgers and Graham had in the preseason, big things were in store for the former Saint and Seahawk.

Graham had two receptions for eight yards last Sunday night. Everyone was hoping for Graham to dominate like he has in the past. He is a matchup nightmare, especially in the red zone. However, he was quiet on the area of the field he dominates the most. Both catches Graham recorded were between the 20s.

Graham looks to redeem himself on Sunday. Whether it is with Rodgers or DeShone Kizer as his quarterback, Graham needs to produce numbers everyone is expecting him to have.

If Rodgers is the quarterback, there is no doubt how the Packers need to use him — in the red zone. If Kizer has to play again, use him in the red zone, but have him as a safety valve as well so Kizer isn’t forced to make Rodgers-esque throws all day long.

It’s likely Graham matches up in double coverage for most of the game, with a linebacker and safety covering him. That’s probably why he wasn’t targeted as much against Chicago, but if Rodgers or Kizer can exploit other one-on-one matchups, Graham should get some attention in passing game soon enough.

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