It Takes Time for Most Young TEs to Produce in NFL
The 2021 season was a mixed bag for Josiah Deguara, but very few tight ends produce at a high level right away in the NFL.
By Paul_Bretl
The 2021 season was a bit of a mixed bag for Green Bay Packers' tight end Josiah Deguara. There were dropped passes, including a one in the playoffs against San Francisco, as well as Deguara being out of position or running the wrong route.
However, there were successes as well. He finished the season catching 25 of his 33 targets at 9.8 yards per catch with two touchdowns.
His 2021 season included a four-game stretch from Week 11 to Week 15 -- Week 13 was the bye week -- where Deguara saw his role in the slot expand as he caught 10 passes on 14 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. Deguara would also rank 13th in YAC and sixth in YAC per catch among tight ends during that span. For what it's worth, Deguara would finish the season ranked tied for 17th among all tight ends in PFF's run-blocking grade as well and had a 62-yard catch and run touchdown against Detroit.
The ups and downs that we saw from Deguara last season really shouldn't come as a surprise either. In fact, it should have been expected because very few tight ends produce in their first season. While 2021 was technically Year 2 for Deguara, in terms of snaps, it was essentially his rookie year as he was on the field for only 31 total snaps as a rookie before suffering a season-ending injury, where he lost out on some incredibly valuable playing time during that 2020 season.
In a 2018 article by Jamison Hensley of ESPN, he wrote that in the previous 15 years -- so going back to 2003 -- only two rookie tight ends had surpassed the 600-yard receiving mark. Since then, you can make it three after Kyle Pitts' 2021 season, but still a very small group.
Hensley would also write that a former coach of Ravens' tight end, Todd Heap told him that only the quarterback should know more about the offense than the tight ends. This, of course, speaks volumes about the number of responsibilities that come with this position.
As a rookie, Travis Kelce would only appear in one game. Mike Gesicki would record just 202 receiving yards during his rookie season, while Dallas Goedert posted only 334 receiving yards. Now, this isn't me saying that Deguara is going to become one of the more productive tight ends in football, but you get the idea; there are numerous examples of now productive tight ends starting their careers off rather slowly.
The learning curve for any rookie is steep, but that seems to be especially true at the tight end position. Tight ends have to know blocking techniques and responsibilities like an offensive lineman, as well as route running, reading the defense, and making pre-snap adjustments like wide receivers do.
On top of that, in Deguara's role, he is also utilized out of the backfield, sent in motion often, and Matt LaFleur's offense is incredibly nuanced, which means it takes time to pick up. Also, playing with Aaron Rodgers, who could change the play as the play clock is winding down, is another added element to all of this.
Without question, 2022 is a big season for Deguara, and we need to see him take that step forward in what will be his second full season of action, not only for his own career trajectory but also because if this Green Bay Packers offense is going to be at its best, they need production from the tight end position. It's not a coincidence that when the offense was playing its best during those final 6-7 weeks of the regular season, Deguara and Marcedes Lewis were leaving their marks on the passing game.
However, having said that, just because Deguara experienced ups and downs or didn't put up flashy numbers doesn't mean he isn't going to either. Truthfully, we haven't seen enough to know which way his career will go. But compared to the many tight ends who came before him, Deguara's 2021 performance is much closer to being the normal than being bad.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
Comments (49)
ricky
April 08, 2022 at 11:27 am
So the key word is "patience". Tonyan didn't break out until his third year. If Deguara can show the same timeline with similar results, that would be very helpful. And it does seem as if he is making some progress. So, we all need to be like a good doctor, and have a lot of patience.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 01:07 pm
His breakout was actually his 4th season as he didnt catch a single pass his rookie year.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 08, 2022 at 09:34 pm
And a lot of that was a result of MM being a poor coach.
mattgsx
April 08, 2022 at 11:28 am
Great reminder that roster improvements in 2022 don't have to come from new players. I expect Deguara to get better at what he does well and hopefully round out the route running and his hands.
mattgsx
April 08, 2022 at 11:28 am
Dupe
LLCHESTY
April 08, 2022 at 11:28 am
This is all well and good but Deguara is an H back. If he has to line up as the Y the Packers are in trouble.
Coldworld
April 08, 2022 at 12:25 pm
We need Deguara used more as an H back and that role fleshed out (Daffney too if playing). Davis is the TE who may make a jump and help with conventional TE play.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 01:13 pm
According to who? The Shanahan-style offense has made smallish tight ends more than relevant on a few different teams. Shannon Sharpe (228 lbs) with the Broncos, Owen Daniels (235 lbs) with the Texans, Jordan Reed (240 lbs) with the Commies, and Kittle (240 lbs maybe with pads on) with the 49ers. These offenses all featured the outside zone run which doesnt require a road grading tight end to flourish. They just have to be able to reach block and stay between their man and the ballcarrier. Theres absolutely no reason to think Deguara cant succeed in that role.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 08, 2022 at 02:17 pm
I think Deguara is an H-back. I don't think he is a tight end. He can't play in-line. He is under 6'2" and a half. That 17th ranking is not as an in-line blocker. He has 31 and 5/8ths inch long arms. He is not blocking DEs other than cutting off backside pursuit.
PFF has its uses, but they only measure and grade a player based on what he was asked to do.
Edit: I will give you Sharpe and Jordan Reed, but Kittle was 247 and Daniels was 253 at the combine. Both of the latter had 33" plus long arms. That said, Deguara might be able to do what you desire, but when it is time to pick up 3rd and one, or 4th and goal, Deguara limits what can be done. Deguara should have a roster spot locked up, we just differ on his most accurate label.
LLCHESTY
April 08, 2022 at 02:01 pm
Kittle was 247 lbs at the combine and is listed at 250 now. Deguara ran 4.72 with 1.68 10 yard split, not fast enough for a move TE. Had 8.52 RAS as a FB, 6.67 as a TE. Lowest score as a TE was height.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 02:11 pm
I dont care what Kittle is listed at, theres no way hes 250 lbs. As for the rest of the comment, none of those numbers tell me anything about his accumen as a football player. Just measurables that count for absolutely nothing when the pads go on. Good football players come in all shapes, sizes, and speeds. I posit to you that Deguara is a good football player and can play tight end or H-Back.
Coldworld
April 08, 2022 at 06:12 pm
Well, you could start with what LaFleur and Gute said about what they liked about him and why after he was picked. I note LaFleur refers to it as the FBack not HBack role/position.
greengold
April 08, 2022 at 11:42 am
And, that’s why you simply take the fastest TE in the draft, who also happens to be a 6-7 brick shithouse that everybody bounces off of, draw a line in the dirt, say, “Go here, and I’ll hit you ...”
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 01:17 pm
Its not that simple. Not even close. Tight end is an incredibly hard position. It requires a great football player, not just an athlete.
greengold
April 08, 2022 at 10:10 pm
Aw, c’mon! Live a little! Have some fun!
Yeah. I know. I know all about the three years, blah blah blah… But, with Jelani Woods, you could literally do just that and have success as a rookie… my notes for you:
____
TE Jelani Woods - Virginia 6-7 259 4.61 (95th percentile) 34 1/8” arms 24 reps 82.5” wingspan
ELITE SPARQ 130.2 (96th percentile)
Catches 63% of targets 14.4 YPR 44 rec 70 Tgts yds 8 TDs his 2021 Senior year. 1st year at TE. Also 1st year at Virginia after transfer from Oklahoma St
*4 years ago 6-5 215 QB - keeps growing. OSU never knew how to use him as WR.
In-line TE with great size/speed/power/hands Long strider. Exceptional athlete. Defenders bounce off him.
Willing blocker with powerful hands/good effort and toughness for run block. Uses size well to chip. Needs technique work.
4.61 40 time fastest by a TE of his height since 2003.
+ Hustle player.
Coldworld
April 09, 2022 at 08:53 am
I really like Woods, but he’s raw, particularly outside of blocking. I think he could have huge upside and in any other year I would be flag waiving to pick him, but this year I don’t see him playing much. He’s a pick for 2024 and beyond. Is that the type of pick that makes sense given where we are? I wish it did, but with Rodgers, we need help now.
greengold
April 09, 2022 at 09:53 am
He’s so freaking big, I’d just say, “Dude! Just go catch the ball. Be an outlet.” Keep it really simple year 1…
He is raw because that was his first year playing TE, but he knows the game. Not expecting a lot, but, could help at key moments. Underneath, high percentage stuff, when he can exploit his YAContact-t-t--tisge-tisge-tisge!!! Players bouncing off him left and right. That’s Gronk shit right there…Whoosh…
Secure him to the roster.
Take him a round or two early. No one’s gonna freaking care 5 years in on his 2nd contract. We need high percentage receiving outlets. Fastest TE in this draft class too. Wow.
LLCHESTY
April 10, 2022 at 06:11 am
He did play personal punt protector on STs for three years. So there is that.
MainePackFan
April 08, 2022 at 03:15 pm
Doesn't hurt that he has also played the QB position.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 08, 2022 at 09:34 pm
I like it GG!
greengold
April 08, 2022 at 10:22 pm
For years I worked really hard to not throw names out, reveal gems to a wider audience of friends, etc. just to help minimize the hype prior to the draft. But now, this shit is all over. Twitter is loaded with people wanting this player or that one… there are no secrets now. Not count name hits, all that stuff.
Saw a friend the other day, he was with another who was a Dallas fan… almost told them both about Velus Jones… ha. Stopped myself. “Sorry! No can do. He’s a Cowboys fan! I’ll tell you when you get back.”
Hilarious.
Duneslick
April 08, 2022 at 12:38 pm
Deguara is not a TE he is a fullback
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 08, 2022 at 02:13 pm
Whatever you call him, it doesn't really change the analysis of the article. He still needs to learn all the parts of the offense to function efficiently in the scheme.
BirdDogUni
April 08, 2022 at 06:55 pm
I call BS...
Fullbacks block and the one time he tried to block two years ago he hurt himself with a terrible attempt. Last year was a bit better, but he's no FB. (He's not really a TE either.) If Deguara is going to make a difference, MaLF is going to have scheme him open and AR will have to get him the ball. His biggest asset might be the defense forgetting he's on the field.
NWPackersfan
April 08, 2022 at 01:12 pm
So, maybe someone can answer a question for me.....Taylor Patrick is listed as a RB but could he convert to a WR based on his 6'2" 217 lbs frame. He seemed to be a decent all purpose player in college and he only 23. Just wondering. Thanks
BirdDogUni
April 08, 2022 at 11:17 pm
Patrick Taylor Jr. He's a RB. Even if MaLF forgot he was on the team when Dillon broke his rib.
He sure couldn't be any worse than Ty Montgomery... SMH
crayzpackfan
April 08, 2022 at 01:42 pm
Being completely aware that the majority of TE’s brought into the NFL take a little time to catch on, I’m sort of at a crossroads with JD. Will he or won’t he work out?
I can only speak for myself, but I was absolutely in love with GB drafting this guy. He seemed to be from the very mold that ML wanted to schematically put chalk to board for.
Injuries, a stupid pandemic, a QB with certain trust issues, and a coach who is seemingly okay with giving his petulant man child QB (I know, toxic negativity…I apologize) the keys to his car a bit too willingly, leaves us fans stuck with a TE who is woefully underdeveloped based on obvious potential.
The folks behind the curtain know WAY more than I do, this is just a goofy fan’s perspective after all. For the teams sake and for the sake of a young man who I am cheering for to become a great piece of GB’s future success, I hope this is the year JD puts the plug into the socket.
What do you folks think? Has JD been given the best opportunity to succeed in spite of injuries, or is he just one of many players drafted to the NFL with an expiration date like milk or eggs?
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 08, 2022 at 01:58 pm
Just a comment on "trust issues." Do you really want a QB throwing to a player he can't trust on some reasonable level to be in the right place? If the player isn't in the right place, it's not just an negative play. It is often a turnover? What is the quickest way to lose games? By turning over the ball, losing a possession and giving the opponent another possession. I for one appreciate that #12 needs to see a certain work ethic and develop some trust with a player. All QBs need to do that to avoid turnovers and negative play. If a guy is doing his job, Rodgers trusts him. It's that simple.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 02:05 pm
And what about when he refuses to even look at wide open receivers with the season on the line? Why is it Rodgers has issues throwing to young receivers but a young Joe Burrow does not? Maybe its cuz Rodgers relies too much on changing the play at the line instead of staying within the offense? Its almost like he doesnt trust his own coach to call the right plays. Its almost like he has trust issues, period.
crayzpackfan
April 08, 2022 at 02:30 pm
Westcoast>>Then perhaps that QB should participate more in the development of players that can make him look even better than he thinks he is. Rodgers is a dead beat dad when it comes to putting in the work. Look at Manning and Brady to see what works. His whole career has been about latching onto one or two guys while giving everyone else a dirty waffle (google it).
Irish_Cheesehead
April 08, 2022 at 02:39 pm
I at least expect a QB to throw to a guy who is wide open rather than a guy who is double covered. Trust or no trust. If they guy can’t catch, cut him. But he has no chance if the QB won’t even throw him the ball.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 02:00 pm
It all comes down to opportunity. Its pretty hard to make a difference when hes stuck behind 2 of the Petulant Child's besties on the depth chart. If Rodgers says he wants Lewis and Tonyan out there, thats who will be out there. Really reflects poorly on Lafleur and his lack of command over the offense. Gutekunst keeps giving him the players to run his offense but he keeps grabbing his ankles to keep 12 happy.
mattgsx
April 08, 2022 at 02:30 pm
Not a great comparison. Tonyan tends to line up wide/slot or inline but as a downfield receiver. Lewis tends to only line up inline. Deguara isn't as much of an inline blocker. He did it a bit last year but he's more of a fullback that may motion out so he'd be taking more snaps from Dillon at that point by okay design and usage.
No matter where he plays - he has to run the right routes and be where he is supposed to be when the ball comes out on packaged plays.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 08, 2022 at 03:03 pm
He tends to run a ton of drag routes. 3.5 yard Adot last year.
Tonyan: 7.7 in 2020 and 8.8 yard Adot on 2021.
Graham: 9.5 in 2018 and 8.9 yard Adot in 2019.
T. Davis: 13.5 in '20 and 7.6 yard Adot in '21.
Even M. Lewis had Adots of 5.5 and 5.7 until last year, when as an ancient he posted just a 3.7 yard Adot. This is another reason I don't classify Deguara as a TE.
crayzpackfan
April 08, 2022 at 02:35 pm
MLF Designer Jeans——AR505’s—padded knees and a zipper on the rear. Juuuuuust Kidding…
Thegreatreynoldo
April 08, 2022 at 02:42 pm
Deguara has 35 targets in 398 snaps (1 per 11.37 snaps)
JD: 2/31 = 15.5 in 2020. 33/367 = 1 per 11.12 snaps in '21.
Tonyan 109/1204. In '21, 29/306 (1 per 10.55 snaps).
Davis: 5 targets in 121 snaps (24.2).
Lewis: 28/478. (1 target per 17.07 snaps).
Graham: 60/622 (1 target per 10.37 snaps).
Finley: 34/250 (7.35); 87 in 690 (1 per 7.93 snaps).
Not really seeing any statistical evidence to support the notion that there is or was an issue with trust: Deguara is getting his targets when he plays.
crayzpackfan
April 08, 2022 at 04:09 pm
As always. TGR Putting in the hard work so goofballs like myself can swim around in the bliss of our own ignorance. Cheers.
Oppy
April 08, 2022 at 01:45 pm
This is gonna break a lot of future CHTV Articles:
It takes time for most rookies / young players to produce at a high level in the NFL.
That is all.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
April 08, 2022 at 02:01 pm
People can learn from this. ^^^^
Johnblood27
April 09, 2022 at 08:56 am
you have to WANT TO learn...
LLCHESTY
April 08, 2022 at 03:02 pm
A couple things to remember if the Packers draft a TE. Kittle, Kelce and Gronk all had RAS' over 9. Also none of them were 1st round draft picks.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 08, 2022 at 03:06 pm
you should have a delivery, probably by email, possibly by logging in.
LLCHESTY
April 08, 2022 at 03:54 pm
Got it, thanks. Haven't had a chance to look at it much, girlfriend has been home from work sick.
BAMABADGER
April 08, 2022 at 03:52 pm
Bottom line... overall GB has done a poor job selecting TEs via the draft.
jhtobias
April 08, 2022 at 05:22 pm
Not Deguria fault he was drafted in the third round LMAO. The man is a fullback not a tight end .. Lmao
BirdDogUni
April 08, 2022 at 11:18 pm
Fullbacks can actually block. Ergo, he's not a FB.
canadapacker
April 08, 2022 at 08:47 pm
Everyone can call Deguara whatever they want - he just needs to be where he is supposed to be. He needs to block his guy without holding him or whiffing on his blocks. He needs to catch the ball when it is thrown to him and he needs to be on the same page of as the QB - when the play breaks down so that he can be open and make a play when required. And if he does that then he is doing his job whether lined up on the line, in the backfield or spread out. I would hope that without Davante - Lafleur has thrown out the whole playbook and reinvented it. Too many times last year we won games that we could have lost because the offense didnt have the killer instinct and didnt score again when in the lead and when they had the chance and relied on unbelieveable D plays - Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland San Fran ( 2 hail Mary's to Davante - will admit that but we should have closed that game out earlier). We need to use everybody so that they can key on nobody - and hopefully Jones will be back in form because last year he didnt earn his raise.
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
April 11, 2022 at 12:22 pm
I constantly struggle with where I'd draft a TE. I know it is a need without question but in trying to pick dominating players needed on the Packers I struggle. Guys like Trey McBride and Jalani Woods? With the needs the Packers have do you wait until later and take say a Jake Ferguson in rounds 5-7? The Packers have an underutilized Tonyan, and what I consider a move TE in Lazard.