When the Green Bay Packers released wide receiver Jordy Nelson this offseason, they also let go of quarterback Aaron Rodger’s top touchdown target. Tuesday the Packers replaced Nelson for one of the best red-zone targets in the NFL. Green Bay and former Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham reached a three-year deal worth $30 million. Graham looked to be heading back to the New Orleans Saints before coming to terms to head to the Frozen Tundra.
Can Jimmy Graham be an elite fantasy tight end with the Packers?
Green Bay snags a red-zone threat for $30 million over three years. We look at the fantasy implications.
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Graham is a scoring magnet for any QB. The eighth-year big man has 69 career scores, 55 of which happened inside of the 20-yard line. He lost a step after suffering a debilitating knee injury in 2014, however, Graham managed to catch 10 touchdown catches for the first season in three years in 2017. He tied for second for the most touchdown grabs last season.
Fantasy impact: This is an out of character move that could really pay off for the Packers and Graham’s fantasy owners. The Packers rarely go after big name players in free agency. Also, Rodgers does not usually favor TEs. Though the Packers are still fresh from the Martellus Bennett experiment last season but with Nelson gone, Graham is poised to be a top touchdown target in Green Bay. He is still a TE1 and worth an early look in all fantasy drafts.
