Pundits contested the Green Bay Packers’ decision to select Josiah Deguara in the third round of the 2020 draft because of his position and its value. Even though he is listed as a tight end, Deguara is more like an H-back. Therefore, the Packers couldn’t keep any fullbacks on the roster. But in 2022, Deguara has become Green Bay’s best tight end, snap-to-snap. His ability to block and generate yards after the reception underneath are important weapons this offense needs to explore further.
Deguara has the highest PFF grade amongst Packers tight ends this season by a comfortable margin. His 69.9 is well above Marcedes Lewis (59.4), Robert Tonyan (59.1), and Tyler Davis (58.9). However, looking only at the snap counts, the perception might be the inverse.
Deguara has only 71 offensive snaps (15.64%), which is behind Tonyan (221, 48.6%), Lewis (189, 41.6%), and even Davis (100, 22%). The latter wasn’t a lock to make the 53-man roster after a sequence of poor performances during the preseason. The Packers are 2-1 in games when Deguara plays at least 10 offensive snaps and is 1-3 when he plays fewer.
Deguara is second among Packers tight ends in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, always behind Tonyan. No. 81 has five receptions for 56 yards in seven targets. Another consideration is that Deguara has a notable 11.2 yards per reception — no other Packer tight end is above 8.4. For example, Tyler Davis has four receptions for 26 yards in six targets.
Besides his effectiveness, Deguara offers alignment versatility. It’s something head coach Matt LaFleur highlighted immediately after the Packers selected him two years ago.
“We can be in the same personnel grouping, and we can line him up on the line of scrimmage or in a wing alignment, or we can line him up in the backfield,” LaFleur said. “I just think that adds stress to a defense in terms of how these guys will line up and what exactly they’re going to do.”
Maybe it’s time to make it happen more frequently.
Schematic advantages
The Packers lack receiving talent – that’s not a bold take. It’s also why quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been more effective this season when he has six-man protections. Packages with two tight ends have been particularly efficient because defenses are not as ready to handle them as they are to face looks with two running backs, Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
Tight ends generally offer more schematic flexibility because they are better equipped to play in-line or in the slot. Deguara, specifically, is a good backfield option too.
The Packers can run slower route concepts when he is on the field because he offers decent extra protection. Deguara is also a capable lead blocker, so it’s wise to use him in run plays. It also might be a good way of exploring Dillon, who needs better blocking upfront to explode, while Jones excels at running in space.
However, Deguara’s best attribute has been his ability to run horizontal concepts and gain yards after the reception. That has been a staple of the Packers’ offense this season and where Rodgers looks to feel more comfortable. The ability to create extra production is why Deguara has the highest average in yards per reception among Packers tight ends, even if his average depth of target is 4.8 yards. He has 3.3 yards after the catch per target. Fully 48% of his yards came after the catch, which is by far the best in Green Bay’s tight end room. Deguara is also the best in yards per route run, per target, and per reception. He is even the best in target separation, according to Player Profiler.
Good tight end usage is significant for the Packers on Sunday when they’ll be playing a solid Buffalo Bills defense. According to Lineups.com, the Bills are the 10th-best unit at allowing fantasy points for tight ends this season. The ranking sounds good, and it is. But it’s the worst for the Bills defense. They are the eighth-best against wide receivers, sixth against quarterbacks, and fourth against running backs.
It will be difficult for the Packers to find ways to beat Buffalo, who are a more complete, explosive, and well-rounded team. That’s why Green Bay needs to lean on things that have been working but haven’t been fully explored for them yet. Deguara is one of those pieces, and he deserves more chances.
