Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers

The Case

Jimmy Graham gets drafted currently in fantasy football based mainly on name value. Graham, 32, was a fantasy stud in New Orleans from 2010-2014. In Graham’s final four seasons playing in the Saints’ pass-happy offense, he averaged 89 receptions, 1,099 yards, and 11.5 touchdowns. He scored ten touchdowns in his last season in Seattle in 2017, but he saw an incredible 14 targets inside the five-yard line that season when the Seahawks couldn’t figure out what to do without Marshawn Lynch.

The Green Bay Packers signed Graham to a three-year deal in March 2018 to hopefully solve their tight end woes. Unfortunately, Graham struggled throughout the season and failed to make a significant impact in the red zone. He finished with 55 receptions for 636 yards but only found the end zone twice. Additionally, he only produced 211 yards on 23 receptions and zero touchdowns over the final eight games last season.

Graham couldn’t get open and can no longer separate from linebackers and safeties. It’s understandable to believe that his better days are behind him. The Packers noticed as well, and that’s the reason they drafted tight end Jace Sternberger in the third round in the 2019 NFL Draft. Sternberger finished his final collegiate season with 832 yards and ten touchdowns.

The Packers didn’t draft Sternberger to keep him on the bench. While we may see more two-tight end sets, we can also be witnessing the phasing out of Graham’s targets, especially later in the season.

The Verdict

Graham turns 33 in November, so it’s entirely possible his best football is behind him, and it will be more of the same inconsistent production.

The Green Bay Packers’ offense will look a lot different under new head coach Matt LaFleur, as he emphasizes the running and the play-action game. However, when you have Aaron Rodgers as a quarterback, coaches SHOULD adjust their offensive philosophy around the future Hall of Fame quarterback. There might be some intense moments in the Green Bay air and a work in progress to get the head coach LaFleur and Rodgers on the same page.

Green Bay could certainly improve and possibly win the NFC North, but drafting Graham is still a gamble. If fantasy owners miss out on the elite tier of tight ends, they will have to roll the dice at the tight end position. Fantasy Football Calculator has Graham’s ADP as the TE18, but you should consider players with higher upside like Mark Andrews or the rookie tight ends T.J. Hockenson or Noah Fant.