The more I ponder the TE room and the lack of additions, the more cemented I am becoming in the camp of Deguara might be the guy to circle for uptick in production from previous years to the same degree I predict Lazard will as well (he is going to play, I understand he hasn't signed tender).
Deguara's rookie year was stolen from him by injury...and last year down the stretch it was like watching a light bulb literally come on, which is an excellent sign for the future.
From Week 8 till the end of the season - Josiah saw minimum of two targets a game, finished the season with 75%+ catch percentage and was part of over 40% of the offensive snaps from week 11 clear through playoffs. Yes, this is an effect of Tonyan's injury - however bringing up Tonyan, Deguara "statistically" is producing quicker than Tonyan did - which of course should be the case coming out of College much more touted than Tonyan was.
Deguara is that Juzczyk type TE/FB sized guy, only Evan Engram in the sub-6'4" height range has been apart of the leading TE in yards over the past few years...but I think that 300-400 yard production range is easily something we could see out of Josiah in 2022.
His 2021 line after barely playing the first 7 weeks, was 245 yards on 33 targets with 25 receptions. Chipping in 2 TDs and a 7.42 Y/Tgt rate and a 9.8 Y/C rate. Quietly, he was one of the most surehanded receiving options not named Davante for Rodgers.
I could see a world where if Tonyan comes back healthy (I predict will take some time) by seasons' mid-point we may see a TON of packages and drives where Tonyan and Deguara are the TEs with Lewis not out there as much of old (OL health key here however) as our offensive threats are definitely higher with Lewis out and Deguara/Tonyan in, which with an Adam-less roster could be of great assistance.
Either way I'm excited to see how Deguara does his third season, essentially his first true season he put up very good statlines for a TE...him progressing will be just another small piece in figuring out our receiving production in 2022.