The Green Bay Packers finalized their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, and one of the most questionable moves was the idea to keep tight end Tyler Davis. There were high expectations for the second-year player prior to training camp. Brian Gutekunst mentioned him as a potential replacement if Robert Tonyan wasn’t ready to go. However, Davis disappointed in preseason games. For example, he had the worst PFF grade of any Packer in their first two exhibition games — which included a drop that turned into a Jordan Love interception against the San Francisco 49ers and a fumble against the New Orleans Saints.
For the Packers, it’s also understandable to keep four tight ends for several reasons. First, Matt LaFleur’s offensive scheme significantly explores tight ends’ usage and roles — he divides them into receivers, h-backs, and in-line blockers. The team has three good options: Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara, and Marcedes Lewis. But there’s a drop-off after that. Green Bay kept Davis as a developmental player and special teamer.
However, final roster cuts allowed the Packers to add more talent at the position. And, if the Packers see Davis as a potentially useful player in the future or as an immediate contributor to special teams, he would likely pass unclaimed through waivers after such a flawed preseason and could be back on the practice squad.
O.J. Howard was the most notable name, but now he is expected to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He had signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, but they released him because of the emergence of young tight end alternatives in Buffalo — even though they had to eat $2.6 million in dead money. Howard isn’t what scouts expected to be when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the first round in 2017, but he produced well enough in his first three seasons (1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns between 2017 and 2019) with Jameis Winston.
Even if Howard is not a feasible option anymore, that’s the kind of move the Packers should evaluate making.
Available options
Other players who could improve the Packers’ tight end depth this week got cut this week. Anthony Firkser, who’s been in the NFL since 2017, is among them. The former Harvard prospect played under similar schemes with the Tennessee Titans and during training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, so he could fit into a role almost immediately.
Moreover, he could play special teams, an important designation for a fourth tight end. Matt LaFleur was his offensive coordinator when he initially signed with the Titans in 2018. A clear connection could help both parties analyze the fit, and he is the most natural option to add to the 53-man roster.
The Saints cut Chris Herndon, and the 49ers cut Tyler Kroft, who both had highs in the NFL. However, neither were consistent.
Some veteran tight ends have been available since March and didn’t participate in any training camp, but the Packers could also explore signing them. Former Detroit Lions first-round pick Eric Ebron and old friend Jared Cook are good receiving options, but they can’t offer much as blockers or on special teams. Journeyman Jesse James is a more well-rounded player. However, he’s more limited as a receiver.
Future
The Packers have a long-term issue at the position. Besides having only two to three game-ready players for 2022, the team doesn’t even have that much moving forward because Josiah Deguara is the only tight end on the Packers’ roster under contract beyond this season.
That’s why there was an expectation that Brian Gutekunst might use the draft to select a tight end and let him develop before taking a more significant role in 2023, but that didn’t happen. Considering how hard it is for young tight ends to contribute immediately, the Packers are forced to find players by other means. They’ll also probably look for a new deal with Tonyan if he’s as productive as he was before the ACL injury.
At this point in the NFL calendar, it’s hard to find real difference-makers. Nevertheless, getting better in the margins is always possible — and necessary. And it might not be hard for the Green Bay Packers to add a better tight end option. That may be even more critical if Tonyan isn’t ready to play in Week 1, which is still possible while he recovers from his knee issue.
