NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

3 free agents the Green Bay Packers could still pursue

By Russell S. Baxter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Ryan Kerrigan #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Ryan Kerrigan #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 21: Jesse James #18 of the Chicago Bears catches a pass against the Buffalo Bills during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bills defeated the Bears 41-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. TE Jesse James (Chicago Bears)

A year ago, the Green Bay offense missed emerging tight end Robert Tonyan. He was injured in the team’s Week 8 Thursday night win over the Cardinals at Arizona.

Tonyan missed the remainder of the season – this after catching 18 passes for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the team’s first eight contests. This offseason, the Packers re-signed the four-year pro to a one-year, $3.75 million contract (via Spotrac).

In 2020, the 6’5”, 237-pound undrafted free agent from Indiana State had a breakthrough year. He played in all 16 games and made eight starts. He finished with 52 receptions for 586 yards and reached the end zone 11 times.

And in the club’s postseason split with the Rams and Buccaneers, he added eight catches for 82 yards and one score.

Veteran Marcedes Lewis is an exceptional blocker and caught 23 passes this past season but none for touchdowns. Two-year pro Josiah Degaura did total 25 grabs for 245 yards and two scores in 2021. But the team could certainly use another proven pass-catcher at the position.

Seven-year pro Jesse James, who spent ’21 with the Bears, has managed only 37 receptions the past three years with the Lions and Bears, respectively. But he totaled a combined 120 catches in four years with the Steelers from 2015-18.

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