I'm changing my tune on TE and RB in free agency. Not sure I see either position as a target anymore, unless the "value" is just too good to pass on.
Certainly not a fan of Ebron.
Does Jimmy Graham stay? Gute is talking in the affirmative side of this topic at the moment. Smoke screen? Maybe, but will have to wait/see.
Marcedes Lewis? By all accounts he had a good year, especially in helping unlock AJ in the running game, and says he feels good and wants to come back for one more go around. If his blocking skills don't diminish, he would be an asset, and at a fraction of the Jimmy-G cost.
Other TE's already under contract:
Jace Sternberger - I think we began to see him emerging during the playoffs. Remember, this kid got knocked out of TC by a cheap shot in shared practice with HOU. Then comes back and wrecks his ankle, goes on IR, comes off IR later in season. So it was pretty much a wash for him but what we saw got me excited. He could be a significant factor in 2020, and could be the reason that JG doesn't come back.
Robert Tonyan - ERFA. He's not going anywhere, but still needs to prove he can be part of the long term plan on offense.
Evan Baylis - At 6-5/250 he looks the part. They have certainly felt comfy in keeping him around. I think he has combo-TE qualities that need time to shine.
James Looney - DE who has converted to TE. Not sure is he has any receiving skills at all but, at 6-3/287, if he shows any competence for blocking, he's going to move people with his size/strength. At least he gets a chance to prove himself in TC this next year.
What GB really needs is a receiving threat at TE that puts pressure on defenses in the middle of the field and takes pressure off the Packer WR's on the boundaries.
I'm feeling that the draft may be the best way to address this need for the longer term as they move forward.
I would apply the same logic to RB, especially after AJ made it through the whole season without missing a game due to injury. I believe that GB still needs a rushing colleague to spell AJ, and while I like J-Williams, he not dynamic enough to threaten defenses in the same way that AJ can. Adding another RB in the draft with better skills/qualities than J-Williams should be a serious consideration, especially with so many question marks surrounding Dexter Williams.
My feeling, as of the moment, is that FA should be dedicated to shoring up 3 positions. ILB, 5-tech DE, and slot WR, with putting the bigger money into ILB and DE.
My suggestions here would be:
ILB - Nick Kwiatkoski (CHI)
DE - Vernon Butler (CAR)
I haven't settled on a Slot-WR, but if INDY does not tender RFA Marcus Johnson, I'd be interested in him.
As far as drafting a TE and a RB:
TE - Hunter Bradley/Washington (a true "Flex" TE who will threaten all 3 levels of the defense)
RB - Patrick Taylor, JR/Memphis (Missed almost all of last year with an ankle injury, but in 2018, and paired with Darrell Henderson, Taylor rushed for 1122 yds and 16 TD's. One TD every 13 times he touched the ball. He also added 2 TD's on pass receptions.)