NFC North: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera | Aug 20, 2018

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 16: Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a touchdown pass during a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 16, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Jimmy Graham should fill the Jordy Nelson void in Green Bay

The 2017 season left a foul taste in the mouth of Green Bay Packers fans. It started as what appeared to be a potential Super Bowl season with a 4-1 record through five games. But then Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in Minnesota, and from there on, all hell broke loose. Green Bay went 3-8 to close out the season and finished outside of the NFC playoff picture for the first time since 2008.

Now, the cheeseheads up north want nothing more than to get back to their Super Bowl contending selves. They should be able to do just that with the return of a healthy Rodgers this year. But it can’t be denied that longtime Green Bay receiver Jordy Nelson’s departure for the Oakland Raiders left a big hole in the offense. Rodgers and Nelson have essentially been the one-two punch of Green Bay’s offensive attack for years.

Luckily, the front office has done work to fill that void with tight end Jimmy Graham. He’ll be turning 32 in November and he might not have the same speed that he did in his younger days, but Graham did catch 10 touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks last season.

It’s also important to keep in mind that, back when Graham was playing for the New Orleans Saints (the team that drafted him and his home from 2010-14), he was regarded as one of the best, if not THE best, tight ends in the league alongside New England’s Rob Gronkowski. And with an elite quarterback like Rodgers throwing to him, there’s no telling what kind of season Graham could have in store in 2018.

Will his connection with Rodgers be as automatic as Nelson’s was? Not necessarily. But nonetheless, the void left by Nelson will be significantly less gaping thanks to Graham.