3 Reasons Why The Packers Are Much Better Off Without Jimmy Graham

The Green Bay Packers officially made one of the most predictable moves of the entire 2020 NFL offseason in bidding goodbye to tight end Jimmy Graham. Once in the discussion for the title of best tight end in the league, Graham swiftly regressed in his two seasons as a Packer. Be it through the draft or free agency, however, the Packers are almost certain to add a better tight end than Graham because of these three declining facets of his game.

3. Constant Hesitancy To Block

Graham was never a great blocker, but he was at least serviceable with the Saints and Seahawks. With Green Bay, his flaws in that regard became undeniable. The technique and power struggles are one thing, but the sudden lack of effort as a blocker was nothing short of shocking to see unfold before out eyes. If you sign him, he can't be an every down in-line blocker anymore.

2. Suddenly Awful Hands

At his best, Graham's mitts were amog the surest pair in the league, especially in the red zone. In 2019, however, only five tight ends with 50 targets dropped more passes than he did. Worse yet, his drops always seemed to come in the biggest moments. When a player's defining trait starts slipping away from them and getting progressively worse, that's a sign that he is cooked as a starter. Graham's decline from his mighty days with the Saints has been brutal to watch.

1. Underperformance in the Clutch

In the six primetime games that the Packers played in last year, Graham had 11 total catches, including that horrid drop in a two-catch game against the Lions and just one catch during the 49ers' regular-season demolition of Green Bay. This is certainly a far cry from his days in New Orleans, when Drew Brees constantly leaned on him late. Graham, at this stage in his terrific career, is nothing more than a backup.