Packers Training Camp by Position: Tight Ends

It's not often that I get to say this, so I'm going to enjoy this moment: The Green Bay Packers may have the deepest talent in this position in the entire league. That's right, we're talking about Tight Ends. After letting Jared Cook walk following a solid 2016 campaign, then signing up for the Marcellus Bennett crazy train last year, the Pack now have three tight ends of starting quality in the NFL. How exactly will they line up, and will anybody not named Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis or Lance Kendricks make the active roster? Let's take a look...

TIGHT ENDS:

Jimmy Graham - 31, 9th season, 121 starts, $5.92M Salary

Graham was undeniably the top free agent Tight End this offseason, and the Packers cut Jordy Nelson to open up the required cap space for both Graham and D-Lineman Mo Wilkerson. He's caught over 900 Yards and double-digit TD's four times in his career, and with a healthy Aaron Rodgers, he could easily put up similar numbers again in his ninth NFL campaign. The two instantly hit it off in OTA's, and with every single training camp practice, someone reports how well Rodgers and Graham are clicking. WR1 Davante Adams should be the only other player with more targets than Jimmy Graham this season.

Lance Kendricks - 30, 8th season, 88 starts, $2.25M Salary

Lance Kendricks was brought in last summer to fight for the TE1 spot, but after Martellus won the job and Brett Hundley never threw to him, he totaled a career-low 18 Receptions and 203 Yards. He's not good enough to contend with Jimmy Graham for a starting job, but Green Bay will likely utilize plenty of double-Tight End packages, where Kendricks has a chance to hold off Marcedes Lewis for the TE2 job. He should receive about the same amount of snaps as last season (he did in fact start 9 games), maybe a handful less per game, but the targets will surely increase with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Showing good blocking technique in camp can win him more reps as well.

Marcedes Lewis - 34, 13th season, 141 starts, $2.1M Salary

Tight End was a position requiring a complete makeover, and signing a veteran with 141 starts to his name as the TE3 is a brilliant move by GM Brian Gutekunst. He started all 16 games for a playoff-caliber Jacksonville team last year, raking in 318 Yards and 5 Touchdowns. Through the first week of tamp, there hasn't been any signs of a drastic drop-off in talent or aging, so he should give Lance Kendricks a run for his money as the TE2. With both he and Kendricks on expiring contacts, they'll also both be playing for their Green Bay futures throughout the regular season.

Emanuel Byrd - 23, 2nd season, 0 starts, $480K Salary

The 2017 season finale was Emanuel Byrd's first-ever NFL game, and he raked in 2 Receptions for 31 Yards. That may not seem like much, but if he did that across a 16-game season, thats 496 Yards - over twice as many as any Tight End had last year. If the Packers kept a fourth Tight End on the active roster, Byrd would be the clear front-runner. He's caught everything thrown at him in training camp so far, and if the Packers wanted to save some money and add youth over experience, they could cut Kendricks or Lewis and give Emanuel Byrd the TE3 spot. He's a practice squad lock for sure, and it's safe to assume other teams may give him a shot at their active roster if he misses the cut in Green Bay come Spetember.

Robert Tonyan Jr. - $480K Salary

At 6'5", 237 pounds, Robert Tonyan Jr. enrolled at Indiana State as a Quarterback, switched to Wide Receiver and practiced as a Tight End on the Packers' practice squad in 2017. The size-speed combination is the main reason why he's been invited back. If he has an impressive camp and Emanuel Byrd isn't re-signed to the practice squad for one reason or another, Tonyan Jr. has a shot. Otherwise, he'll be looking for another practice squad to join come September.

Kevin Rader - $480K Salary

Going undrafted out of Youngstown State in April, Rader should simply be grateful he made a training camp. It's extremely difficult to see him having a shot at the practice squad, given the other options Green Bay has at Tight End. His 6'4", 250-pound stature is a plus, but that's about it.

Ryan Smith - $480K Salary

Just like Rader, Ryan Smith is a 6'4", 257-pound undrafted free agent from a mediocre school (Miami of Ohio). He and Rader better soak in the camp experience before they get cut very soon.

SUMMARY:

Jimmy Graham: TE1, second-best receiving weapon for Aaron Rodgers

Lance Kendricks: TE2/TE3

Marcedes Lewis: TE3/TE2

Emanuel Byrd: worse-than-not odds of missing the cut, practice squad lock if another team doesn't sign

Robert Tonyan Jr.: misses the cut, mediocre practice squad candidate

Kevin Rader: no chance

Ryan Smith: no chance