What if Jimmy Graham returned to the Packers?

When replacing both an All-Pro receiver and one of the best deep threats in the league, a team should look to bring in a player with experience and familiarity. That is the strategy the Green Bay Packers need to use to replace Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. In this case, there is a former Packer on the free agent market that could make an impact in the receiving game. He is not a receiver. He is a tight end and one of the best of the last decade. He is Jimmy Graham. 

The 35-year-old tight end has nearly put together a Hall of Fame career. The former Miami Hurricane has over 700 receptions for over 8,500 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns. He has been selected to five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. His early years in New Orleans were incredibly dominant. He had two seasons of at least 1,200 receiving yards en route to three Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro selection. Durability has been a word that has surrounded Graham throughout his entire 12-year career. He has played seven full seasons and has played in more than 15 games in 11 of his 12 years in the league. Graham played in Green Bay for two seasons (2018, 2019). He played full seasons in each year. He caught 55 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. In 2019, he caught 38 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing nearly 260 pounds, Graham is still a matchup nightmare. At age 34 in 2020 with a rebuiding Chicago Bears team, Graham still caught eight touchdowns. He has had a double-digit yards-per-reception mark in 10 of 12 seasons. 

Bringing Graham back to Green Bay would be a quietly good move for the Packers. It would probably be on a one-year deal due to Graham's age and due to the team having a crowded tight end room. But he and fellow tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis were all teammates back in 2018 and 2019. His friendship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also significant. He would be a red zone nightmare for any defense. Another pass-catching tight end could be exactly what Matt LaFleur's offense needs.