Green Bay Packers

We Don't Know What Josiah Deguara's Ceiling Is Yet

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch (USA TODAY Sports)

The “next man up” philosophy has been put to the test by the string of injuries suffered by the Green Bay Packers this season. After two relatively healthy seasons, the Packers have dealt with constant rotation at key positions. With the team currently in first place in the NFC, no one is sparing them any tears, so it’s a good thing they have depth.

While the offensive line, the pass rushers, and the cornerbacks have seen the highest rates of attrition, the tight end group is quietly very small. After losing Robert Tonyan for the season to a torn ACL and releasing former third-round pick Jace Sternberger, Green Bay only has the venerable Marcedes Lewis and second-year tight ends Josiah Deguara, Dominique Dafney, and Tyler Davis on the active roster. Bronson Kaufusi is the lone tight end currently on the practice squad.

Though Tonyan struggled this season, his presence is certainly missed. He was a reliable target with soft hands who Aaron Rodgers could rely on. Lewis, one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, has seen more focus in the passing game. His four catches for 51 yards against the Chicago Bears were his best totals as a Packer, and he’s having his greatest season as a receiver since coming to Green Bay. Lewis was even the Packers’ highest-rated offensive player against the Bears, with an elite 92.9 PFF grade.

But the veteran can’t do it all. And with Tonyan’s future in Green Bay uncertain, tight end could be an overlooked need in 2022. Thankfully, we’re starting to see flashes from Josiah Deguara, who could provide answers this season and beyond.

The second third-round tight end chosen by Brain Gutekunst in back-to-back years, Deguara came to Green Bay by way of America’s Team — the University of Cincinnati. With Sternberger looking more like the pure receiving tight end, Deguara was made for the H-back/F tight end role.

After a promising Week 1 start against the Vikings in 2020, Deguara’s rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL in Week 5, robbing him of valuable playing time. When he returned, he suffered another setback with an early concussion in the blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Due to those injuries, Deguara lagged behind and struggled to get targets. He lacked that ever-important connection with Rodgers and struggled as a blocker. But with Tonyan out, Degaura saw more opportunities, and he seemed to build confidence as he gained a bigger role in the offense and had more time to heal from his injuries.

Since Tonyan’s move to IR, Deguara saw more offensive snaps every week, culminating in playing 57% of snaps against the Bears last Sunday — a season high.

As his snaps increased, so too did his opportunities in the passing game. Before Week 8, the second-year tight end had just two catches for eight yards. From Week 8 on, he caught 13 out of 16 targets for 139 yards and a TD. Deguara scored his first NFL touchdown in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings on an incredible Aaron Rodgers throw.

Deguara would have his best day in Green and Gold against Chicago, going 3 for 3 and 44 yards, including a beautiful wide-open catch for 25 yards. With Randall Cobb on IR, Deguara saw 14 snaps in the slot, and he made the most of them. Deguara was also a mauler as a blocker, creating opportunities for Aaron Jones.

In his Insider Inbox, reporter Wes Hodkiewicz found Degaura’s performance against the Bears a good sign for things to come.

“[T]o my near-sighted eyes, that was the former third-round pick’s best game to date in a Packers uniform. He looked confident in his route-running, made a few nice plays with the ball in his hands and threw a few nice blocks out of the backfield. That ‘F’ tight end is essential to Matt LaFleur’s offense and Deguara looked right at home there Sunday. It was great to see,” Hodkiewicz observed.

Deguara’s numbers aren’t gaudy, and the Packers’ offense will continue to flow through Davante Adams. But the team has to be happy with the young tight end’s growth. Last month, tight ends coach Justin Outten believed Deguara was getting closer every week and building on every opportunity.

“The more reps that he gets, not only in practice but in games, and feels the speed of it coming off the major injury he had last year, he’s improving and he’s showing it. It came to light last week with a couple of the run plays where his fits were off two weeks ago, and he nailed them last week. He was a big part of why we able to run some more gap scheme and get downhill. He was bringing it, running his feet, finishing guys, so it was cool to watch. He’s definitely progressing,” Outten said.

Flash forward, and it seems Degaura has lived up to the praise. He’s improving every week and making the most of every opportunity. Year 3 is often considered the breaking-out point for young tight ends, and Deguara has a chance to end his second season strong and be a versatile and reliable part of this offense in the future.

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