They have to put faith in their 3rd round pick. This is the plan. I like Sternbergers blocking ability. This will likely be more of a running team this year. The Packers want TEs and WRs whom can block. Hopefully Sternberger pans out.

At this point, "the plan" is obvious. There is no savior out there to fundamentally alter the equation. They may pick at the margins with a veteran addition or by striking gold with a rook. But the roster speaks for itself and the article covers what it says. Lots of questions. Not a lot of hope that the position is a strength of the offense. But it is what it is. By and large, the die is already cast.

We don't know yet what LaFleur wants his offense to look like.

Last 2 offseasons might be giving us a glimps.
2019 FA - big athletic OG
2019 Draft - big athletic OG, dual-threat TE, thick one cut RB
2020 FA - run blocking OT, big WR (plus re-signing their most competent blocking TE)

Hopefully, the 2020 draft continues down this path.
More TEs, physical OLs, powerful RBs, big bodied WRs

Time for this team to move away from being "finesse" and move towards being "phyisical".

LaFleur's running game isn't based on power or physicality. The OL are chosen more for their movement ability and ability in the outside zone run. That doesn't speak to a physical OL or running game. They still need a good RB to pair w/ and possibly replace Jones after the '20 season.

Funchess does give the Packers a big bodied WR who can make catches over middle and in the red zone where TEs are usually most effective. Not a full TE replacement, but it does give the coaching staff some receiving options they didn't have last year.

Let's not forget that while Tonyan had few catches, replays showed him mostly running free but not having balls thrown his way. Hopefully AR "trusts" him enough to throw it to him when/if he's open, even if it's only for 5 to 10 yards.

I have a fair amount of confidence in Sternberger, especially since he showed a willingness and ability to block. His receiving ability was always his strength . Lewis is not a solid receiver but is there for his blocking and will make an occasional catch because defenses will forget about him. Also, lets not forget that we have some of the largest receivers in the NFL who can work the short and red zones.

I got to watch the Packers beat the Steelers, re-run yesterday. Lee, Crabtree, Quarless. Really did some nice stuff. Sternberger, Ronyan , and Lewis are OK, but the position still needs another athletic TE. It won't surprise me if they draft another 3 or 4. Albert Okwuegbunam and Sternberger would be awesome. Even K-met. It just could be the Ticket to another super-bowl win.

“If plan A was Austin Hooper”...Outside of some unsubstantiated rumors I don’t think Hooper was really Plan A. They may have “thought” about him but it was clear from the beginning that Hooper was going to draw interest from other teams and the Packers were not going to play in those financial waters because of the salary cap realities. My only question is might the Packers draft someone for camp competition.

Keep an eye on Devin Funchess. I've watched him since his days at Michigan. He played the first two seasons at TE. I never understood why they moved him to WR.

First two years at Michigan:

Sophomore (2013) ... Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year ... All-Big Ten first team (media) and second team (coaches) ... Sporting News All-Big Ten Team ... earned second varsity letter ...appeared in 13 games at tight end, making nine starts ... his 748 receiving yards are the most all-time by a U-M tight end in a single season ... also tallied six touchdowns ... named one of eight semifinalist for the John Mackey Award ... named John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week (Oct. 5) ... named College Football Performance Award National Tight End of the Week (Oct. 5)

Freshman (2012) ... Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team ... All-Big Ten honorable mention (media) ... ESPN.com All-Big Ten Freshman Team ... Phil Steele's Postseason All-Freshman Team ... BTN.com All-Big Ten Freshman Team ... earned first varsity letter ... appeared in 13 games at tight end, starting five contests ... tallied 15 receptions for 234 yards and five touchdowns ... five touchdown catches tied for fourth most in U-M football history by a tight end

The reality of any team is you will have areas of forecasted weakness. There will be players who make a splash, wether that be a rookie, FA or an existing player on the team. None of us know where that will come from. The coaches have an inkling but even they don’t know for sure. Unlikely candidate could be Burks or MVS and solidify our LB or WR position. With a player taking that big jump a need can become a strength. That’s why many teams do take a BPA in the draft with and eye on need.

That being said, I think we are building a physical Offense and also think we are just one good, quick and fast receiver away from having an excellent O. I do like Ervin as a change of pace and expect him to be used occasionally this year. I’m very happy we didn’t go after Hooper because I don’t see him as a difference maker and he is getting paid as one. Also, I prefer to see our resources used elsewhere, most specifically in the trenches.

They are placing emphasis on physicality. Run the ball. Let Aaron takes shots off the action and protect the ball with efficiency. Winning the turnover battle and capitalizing in the Red zone will win many games in this league.

Is Evan Bayliss on the PS, yet? If so, then we have Sternberger, Big Dog Lewis, Tonyan, Bayliss and Looney at TE. Sternberger just needs time on the field. Lewis is our best blocking TE. Tonyan needs time on the field, as well. If we drafted a TE, who would he supplant on the roster? I think we won't draft a TE this draft. Especially when we need O Line, D Line, ILB and WR help, so badly. We could draft a big WR like Claypool and use him and Funchess as TE type players.

The Packers obviously think Sternberger has the talent & potential to be a starting TE in the NFL, otherwise they wouldn't have drafted him in the 3rd round last year. Like all rookies, he needs a year of strength & conditioning and reps. If he can run correct pass routes, Rodgers will make him look good.

I realize we are talkng TE's but don't forget about these guys in the WR and Run game....
The team announced the signing of receiver and CFL all-star Reggie Begelton (6-0, 200) to a deal that will ensure he’s on the Packers’ 90-man roster this coming offseason.

Fullback Elijah Wellman (6-1, 241) also signed a futures deal with the Packers.

Begelton, the all-time leading receiver at Lamar University, caught 102 passes for 1,444 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 2019. He finished second in the league in receptions and third in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Begelton was one of 27 CFL all-stars and a unanimous selection as the team’s MVP this past season.
Not hearing to much about these signings and with the couple of resigned FA's Like Ervin, Funchess, Lewis and Wagner.
My thoughts are to concentrate on Defense in the draft unless a player that can't be passed by drops in our lap.
For some reason AR doesn't seem to love TE's much unless they are blocking for him....

I am hopeful/optimistic about Sternberger's talent and his potential to develop. That said, I would not be surprised to see GB grab a TE in this draft. Kmet, the kid from ND is regarded as the top TE in this draft and fits from late R2 on.

From Daniel Jeremiah ......

Kmet checked in at No. 41 on Jeremiah’s list.

“Kmet has an ideal frame for the TE position. He lined up inline and flexed out in Notre Dame's offense. In the passing game, he has good speed and does a lot of damage working in the seams. He uses his big frame to wall off defenders and pluck the ball in traffic (see: Georgia game). He isn't very polished or nuanced at the top of his route. He is at his best when he stays on the move instead of working back to the quarterback. He is physical after the catch, but he doesn't provide much wiggle or elusiveness. In the run game, he can effectively shield and wall off at the point of attack, and he takes good angles working up to the second level. Kmet was the closer on Notre Dame's baseball team and should make major strides now that he's solely focused on football. Overall, Kmet isn't a dynamic player, but he's going to get stronger. I see him as a reliable, long-term starter at the position.”

I have a good feeling about Sternberger.

I was pleasantly surprised to see him turn out to be twice the lead blocker Vitale was for us. Vitale was the classic "looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" Sternberger was out there sticking his face into people.

Like the ILB position, it certainly looks like the plan is not to improve the value of it. The best guy they had in recent years was allowed to walk away and then the FO immediately signed past their prime and contributing ability guys, whose names should not be required to type as it will stir the blind optimist to defend them, so I will just allow them to agree without forcing them to reveal their previously blind optimism about these nameless failures.

The plan, and correct one at that is to give Sternberger every opportunity to grap hold of the starting TE position. He would have to fall on his face this season, not to be the starter. Continue to develop him and Tonyan, use Lewis as another blocker and occasional receiver. See how they develop this season and continually push them to become the answer at TE. Any TE drafted this year is only going to be a year behind and not overtake them. If the Packers don't see the progress from Sternberger and Tonyan they want this season, then in next years FA or the '21 draft they might consider a TE higher. That won't happen this draft.

Pull another "coups" and get an idiot like Martellus Bennett and a special teamer like Lance Kendricks.

It’s probably controversial, but I would like to see them use Lazard as a move TE. On paper, he looks like a great fit between his blocking, route running and hands. Of course that plan requires us to have a WR2 and WR3 worthy of seeing the field.

Maybe Lazard bulls up a little for the TE position?
He is a good blocker with great hands.

Just to correct the record here, Sternberger has a career catch as he caught a Garbage time TD from Rogers in the playoff game against the Niners, although I can totally understand why they forgot. As far as the Packers addressing the position, if they are not happy with what they have & cannot find anyone they like in the draft, there is always training camp and pre-season cuts as maybe a younger player with potential cant make a team thats deep at TE.

Perhaps Looney gets a roster spot if he can double as FB. Easy to love the idea of his size and athleticism as a blocking TE and occasional FB. Could even grow into a Big Dog. Tis the season for dreaming...

Between Lazard and Devin S, Scrumptious don't they have enough great big pass catchers? They need the speedy little one not anymore big guys.

Sternberger had 3 receptions on 3 targets in the playoffs, so no, he's not still waiting on his first career reception. I think the Packers are considering adding another TE to the group, but I think they are depending a lot on Sternberger whether they do or not. He's a Round 3 TE going into his 2nd year. He has shown that he looks the part, now he just needs to rack up the stats and show on-field maturity. I think TE Albert O MISSOURI would be a great option if the Packers can get him on Day 2. He can stretch the field and block well, and Albert O and Sternberger could be a serious problem for opposing teams in a few years.

Sternberger had 3 receptions on 3 targets in the playoffs, so no, he's not still waiting on his first career reception. I think the Packers are considering adding another TE to the group, but I think they are depending a lot on Sternberger whether they do or not. He's a Round 3 TE going into his 2nd year. He has shown that he looks the part, now he just needs to rack up the stats and show on-field maturity. I think TE Albert O MISSOURI would be a great option if the Packers can get him on Day 2. He can stretch the field and block well, and Albert O and Sternberger could be a serious problem for opposing teams in a few years.

With a heavier dose of the run is JT23 an option at 30???

This WR Claypool mentioned above Big kid 6-4" runs a 4.42-40. Kind of a hybrid TE size. He seems like a fit for any team. Not sure what round he is expected to go in. It would be nice to have a couple WR's run in the 4.3s to get that secondary backpedaling to give the TE group some room to operate. Whatever the end result our team did good in a first year offense. ML will get better at game planning and using his resources at hand more efficiently. I swear some players got completely forgotten about in game planning. I hope ML develops more dual RB plays one in the slot and one in the backfield.

Don't get the One or the Other question on what the Packers are going to do. IT 90% for sure JACE.
Is there an impact TE available in FA?
Did they ever really have the money to sign one if it wasn't affordable?
Who are they going to draft in this weak TE class, that will have an impact in a position known for needing a year or two learning?
IS TE more of a need than WR/OT/ILB/CB/RB/IOL? In a weak draft class in the late rounds.

Every year there a position or two or three etc.. that you just got to dance with who you are there with.

Can you tell I'm done with the getting a TE this year...lol The facts on paper are that Jace will be a much bigger weapon than Graham. Include tonyan as well. They can create mismatches, Graham can not oh and either can Hooper. He a scheme open TE from all the reports put out there.

They will be improved at TE this year.

That's great Thank you.