Packers 2017 Recap: TE Emanuel Byrd
From Brandon Bostick to D.J. Williams to Jake Stoneburner and beyond, the Packers have featured a rotating cast of high ceiling, low floor players among their backup tight ends.
Filling that role this year was Emanuel Byrd, who made a cameo appearance on the active roster toward the end of the 2017 season.
2017 Stats
- Appeared in one game with no starts (11 snaps on offense)
- Caught two passes for 31 yards
Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Met
Analysis: Byrd makes the most of a limited opportunity
Byrd was never expected to be a big contributor this season, but as the ongoing weirdness with the Packers’ tight end position unfolded, he eventually got his shot, joining the active roster for exactly one game.
In the Packers’ season finale against the Detroit Lions, Byrd was targeted with and caught the first two passes of his NFL career, including a 29-yard catch and run where he showcased some of the athleticism that earned him attention from the Packers in the first place.
Evaluating any play on 11 snaps is a fool’s errand, but it was encouraging to see Byrd actually produce in his limited reps. Many players don’t make much of a peep at all in their late-season cameos, but Byrd showed up, even if his big play was aided by the Lions more or less forgot to cover him.
A former high school high jumper, Byrd does have athleticism to spare. He ran a 4.66 40-yard dash at his pro day and posted a near 34-inch vertical leap. If the Packers choose to bring him back, he certainly has the tools to compete.
