Per NFL Network analyst Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, tight end Jimmy Graham will not be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2020.
The Packers signed the five-time Pro Bowler in March of 2018 to a three-year deal worth $30 million. Graham is entering the final year of his contract, which is due to pay him $8 million and carries a cap hit of $11.6 million. If the Packers release Graham, they can save $8 million off that latter number.
With that being said, the Packers now have a glaring need at tight end and should look at both the free agent market and the 2020 draft class to fill that need. Here are four potential options for the Packers.
4. Hunter Bryant
The Packers selected tight end Jace Sternberger with a third-round pick in 2019, so maybe the team isn't too focused on drafting another tight end. However, if they want to go that route, Washington's Hunter Bryant could be a great option.
Green Bay has always worked well with a receiving tight end and that's exactly what Bryant is. While he doesn't have elite NFL size (6-foot-2, 239), Bryant excels as a pass-catcher.
Despite playing just 12 games as a junior, Bryant recorded 52 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns while being named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award for the nation's best tight end.
CBS Sports currently has Bryant as their fourth-best tight end prospect and 70th best player overall. Bryant should be taken somewhere between the early second round and late third.
3. Eric Ebron
A former top-10 pick, Ebron looked like a bust until a breakout season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 where he recorded 66 catches for 750 yards and an incredible 13 touchdowns. Ebron fell down to earth in 2019 with 375 yards and three touchdowns, but also only started two of the 11 games he appeared in.
The Colts have another solid tight end option in Jack Doyle which may mean they're more inclined to let Ebron walk.
2. Hunter Henry
The only thing holding Hunter Henry from being one of the best tight ends in the NFL is his history of injuries. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end missed all of 2018 due to injury and played only 12 games last season because of a tibial plateau fracture.
However, when healthy, Henry is one of the brightest young stars at his position. In 12 games last season, Henry recorded 55 catches for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
There's a solid chance that Henry gets franchise-tagged by the Los Angeles Chargers but if he doesn't, Green Bay should pursue the 25-year-old with all they've got.
Seen by most as the top free agent tight end in the 2020 class, Hooper is coming off two straight Pro Bowl seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, Hooper has solid size and has been a reliable target for Matt Ryan in his time as a Falcon.
Last season, Hooper recorded 75 catches for a career-high 787 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, at only 25 years old, the former Standford star has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential.
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