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Everyone saw the potential, but no one could have predicted Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan’s rise in production in 2020. In 11 games this year, Tonyan has totaled 37 receptions, 458 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, all in career. -highs for the tight end of the third year. In the Green Bay offense, Tonyan is not just a weapon, but one of the most impactful tight ends in the NFL.
When the Packers released Jimmy Graham this offseason, all signs pointed to Jace Sternberger as the likely replacement. In 2019, the team invested a third-round pick in Sternberger with the plan to develop him into a viable threat in Matt LaFleur’s offense. However, Sternberger does not have the success the team had hoped for in Year 2. Meanwhile, Tonyan is in full swing in his second year in the attack on LaFleur and, as a result, forced Green Bay’s hand to make him the starter.
There’s no question Tonyan has been the best tight end on the Packers’ roster this season. Not only has he improved as a blocker, but his ability as a receiver is something opposing defenses need to consider every week.
Slowly but steadily, Tonyan is becoming a more respected close group in the league. His off-season work with George Kittle paid off, and his three touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 is good justification.
This week, in a 41-25 victory over the Chicago Bears, Tonyan put in another solid performance on the field and showed why he is the end of the future at Green Bay. He caught his five targets and led all Green Bay receivers with 67 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown.
Now let’s watch the movie to see what happened in another great Tonyan outing:
Tonyan hasn’t always been a great tackle, but he’s improved dramatically since joining the Packers. Learning behind one of the best tight blocking ends in league history at Marcedes Lewis has probably helped. Here Tonyan will try to execute a split zone cut block against Bears All-Pro Khalil Mack. It doesn’t quite roll into Mack’s hips, but it was an effective blocking nonetheless. Mack was unable to play on the ball, and Aaron Jones walked the running lane Tonyan helped create to pick up 14 yards.
Later in the game, Tonyan executed a much better cut block on Chicago Edges defenseman Robert Quinn.
In the play above, Tonyan doesn’t get the ball, but it’s worth noting how well he went along. Roquan Smith is on the cover and bites hard on Tonyan’s nod stick route. The tight end of Green Bay uses great technique and deception on this route to get the upper hand over Smith in the seam. If Aaron Rodgers had seen this, it could have been a huge payoff.
This piece highlights one of Tonyan’s best traits, which is his ability to walk clean and efficient routes. Even an athletic linebacker like Smith will have a hard time playing against Tonyan.
Tonyan hasn’t dropped a single pass all year, according to Pro Football Focus. Here he makes a great lace dart while performing a slide course, which is a staple in LaFleur’s attack. Tonyan’s hands are as strong as they are compared to the tightest ends.
On this mesh concept, it looks like Tonyan is trying to rub the man covering Jamaal Williams in an attempt to free him. After Tonyan breaks free from the mesh point, he speeds up and separates from Danny Trevathan. Again, another great display from the deceptive road.
Here is the reception of 39 yards for a touchdown. Rodgers was deadly in action play in 2020, but it helps to have your tight race routes like this.
Tonyan sells the corner plot beautifully before crossing Eddie Jackson’s face. Jackson tries to recover with a quick turn, but Tonyan has already separated by at least a few yards. If Tonyan can play this game against an All-Pro in Jackson, he can do it against any safety in the league.
Tonyan needs to keep producing before he’s considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL. However, if he continues to improve as a run blocker and remains one of Rodgers ‘favorite targets in the Packers’ offense, he certainly has a chance.
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