Despite some fan criticism, Packers’ TE Jimmy Graham will be an immense upgrade to the offense
Green Bay saw a shuffle within the offense when they signed tight end Jimmy Graham and subsequently released wide receiver Jordy Nelson on March 13th. Some fans didn’t take too kindly to the moves. They were saying how much Nelson has left in the tank, the connection between him and Rodgers, etcetera, etcetera. That all may be true, but at the end of the day, the NFL is a business and sometimes you have to move on from certain star players.
That being said, Jimmy Graham will be an immense upgrade to the offense. He’s a versatile, multi-positional threat at tight end and Green Bay will use him as such. Some fans also have said Graham is washed up because of his age (he’s 33) and “lack” of explosiveness when in the open field. That’s not true at all. He’s still an elite level player at tight end. The main reasoning behind those claims are because of the way Seattle used Graham in the offense.
For the doubters thinking he’s washed up and won’t provide anything to the Packers’ offense, stop the doubt. The Seahawks didn’t use him effectively within their offense. He’s finally healthy and he just had his first 10+ touchdown season since 2014. He’s exactly the red-zone threat the Packers need. He will flourish with a guy like Aaron Rodgers throwing to him. He was used primarily as a blocker which didn’t bode well at all for him. He’s not a blocking tight end. He’s been known as an elite pass catcher, not a run or pass blocker. Even with that though, Graham finished the 2016 season for Seattle with 65 receptions for 923 yards, both franchise-best single-season marks for a tight end, per NFL Communications.
Statistically, Graham is an elite tight end. In 121 career games (89 career starts), he’s compiled a total of 556 receptions for 6,800 yards, and 69 touchdowns in seven years with two different teams (New Orleans and Seattle). For comparison, former Packer wide receiver Jordy Nelson had 550 receptions for 7,848 yards and also 69 touchdowns in 136 career games (88 career starts). In ten seasons with Green Bay, Nelson only has Graham beat by about six less receptions and 1,048 yards. Also in comparison, current New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has compiled 474 receptions for 7,176 yards, and 76 touchdowns in 102 career games (89 career starts) with the Patriots. Graham only trails him by 376 total yards & 7 touchdowns.
Despite the criticism, the addition of Jimmy Graham to the offense will make Green Bay that much more dangerous. He can play multiple positions and also stretch the field. Both of those things will cause nightmares for opposing defenses and their coordinators. Having a weapon of Graham’s caliber at Rodgers’ disposal will only make him perform better and in turn, also make Graham and the offense perform better. He will flourish with a guy like Rodgers throwing to him. I for one cannot wait to see the connection build between him and Rodgers once the 2018 season starts in September. I foresee great things this season. Go Pack!
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