The Green Bay Packers head into 2022 without one of the best wide receivers in franchise history. Davante Adams was traded by the team after he told them that he would not play under the franchise tag. Last season, Adams led the team with 169 targets; the next closest was Aaron Jones with 65 targets. The wide receiver with the closest number of targets was Allen Lazard with 60. After Robert Tonyan was injured in Week 8, tight end Josiah Deguara led all Green Bay tight ends with 33 targets. During the Packers’ offseason workouts last month, Deguara discussed what he wants his role to be now that Adams is gone.
Josiah Deguara Wants to Step Up without Adams
According to the Packers’ website, Deguara said the following about the offense:
“It’s not an elephant in the room, but Davante is gone. All the balls that he got were much deserved, so there’s opportunity for guys to step up, and I’m going to try to be one of those guys.”
The former third-round draft pick also discussed the role tight ends play in the Packers’ offense:
“We know we’re going to have to step up. We know we’ve had to step up in the past and we’re going to do it again.”
Robert Tonyan is questionable to be ready by the beginning of the season, and Marcedes Lewis is not much of a receiving threat anymore. While Tyler Davis has drawn praise from special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, there were will be plenty of opportunities for Deguara and fellow roster-hopeful Dominique Dafney to make impacts on offense.
Packers Fans Should Be Optimistic about Josiah Deguara
Deguara is entering his third season with the Packers after being taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He showed flashes of being an exciting player early in his rookie season but tore his ACL in Week 2. This development paved the way for Tonyan to take a bigger role in the offense. As a result, Tonyan had a record-tying season for the Packers.
Last season, Deguara returned for what could be considered his real rookie season. After tearing his ACL in 2020, he able to play 16 out of 17 games in 2021. Deguara had 25 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver in those games. Notably, Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating for 103.7 when targeting Deguara. The young tight end also dropped just two passes all season. With 169 targets all of a sudden up for grabs, it is reasonable to assume that Deguara is going to see these numbers increase.
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