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Jimmy Graham was viewed as a massive addition for the Green Bay Packers last offseason in free agency and there was a ton of hype surrounding him heading into the 2018 NFL season. Unfortunately, Graham was unable to live up to those expectations, despite putting up a solid all-around season.
Now, fans and the media are down on Graham and many thought the Packers should release him to free up cap space this offseason. Instead, general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear that the franchise would be keeping him for at least another season. The franchise also feels that he played well despite the public perception.
In the 2018 season with the Packers, Graham ended up catching 55 passes for 636 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers don't pop off the stat sheet, but they certainly aren't shabby. If he had recorded eight touchdowns instead of two, the fans wouldn't be upset at all.
At 32 years of age and entering his second season with the Packers, Graham will be the main key for the team's new offense under head coach Matt LaFleur.
That's right, Graham, the tight end that many thought the team should release, will be the main factor in things turning around for Aaron Rodgers and company. Not Davante Adams, not Marquez Valdes-Scantling, not Aaron Jones, but Graham will be the main deciding factor.
Standing in at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, Graham is a massive target with top-notch athleticism for his size. LaFleur has always loved utilizing his tight ends, which bodes well for Graham. Gone are the days of Mike McCarthy sending Graham deep across the middle 90 percent of the time and back are the days where Graham will make plays on short routes with the occasional deep bomb.
Back in his days with the New Orleans Saints, Graham was a do-it-all kind of tight end. He could make the play down the field, but was a lethal possession receiver as well.
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Green Bay will trot out a very intriguing in offense in 2019. Randall Cobb left town in free agency, leaving the Packers with Adams as the only long-term proven target for Rodgers. Outside of Adams, the Packers will have Geronimo Allison, Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown vying for playing time.
Rodgers will be looking for a second target that he can trust each and every throw. The chemistry was there for him with Graham last season and that will likely be the man he turns to outside of Adams.
All of this isn't saying that Graham is going to be a superstar and a top-three tight end in 2019. He doesn't have to be that for the Packers. They simply need him to come through with a good season and show consistency each and every week, especially in the red zone.
It is going to be interesting to see what kind of season Graham ends up having. Even though he has faced a lot of criticism, he has a very good chance to break out in 2019. Green Bay is going to give him a lot more opportunities with the new offense and he is going to make the most out of them.
Assuming Graham comes through with the kind of season he is capable of having, the Packers' offense is going to be tough to stop and the veteran tight end will silence all of his critics.
