Josiah Deguara’s NFL career did not get off to an easy start. The 2020 third round pick out of Cincinnati was injured in just his second NFL game last season and missed the rest of the regular season after suffering a torn ACL. That started a long rehab process that continued into training camp this year.
In 2021, Deguara started the season buried on the depth chart behind Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis as he gradually got back to full health and acclimated himself to the NFL. Deguara was on the field for only five plays in the season opener against the Saints and only played more than 25 snaps once in the first nine games of the season.
He was lining up in different places on the field, at H-back, traditional tight end, split out wide and even at fullback on some plays although he wasn’t seeing a lot of action overall. He seemed to be a jack of all trades but a master of none and hadn’t carved out a specific role in the offense.
But those circumstances rapidly changed after Tonyan suffered a season-ending injury in the Packers Week 8 win over the Cardinals. Suddenly, Deguara became the Packers primary pass catching tight end. He got a crash course in that role and as he learned, got more familiar with the playbook and improved his play, he saw more action.
Deguara played a season-high 25 snaps against Seattle in Week 10 and then increased his participation in each subsequent game since. Against the Bears, Deguara played 37 offensive snaps and caught three passes for 44 yards, both of which were career highs.
Gradually, Deguara is also winning the trust of Aaron Rodgers which is not always easy for any receiver to do. Rodgers is starting to realize he can rely on his tight end to be in the right place at the right time and to make key plays. Against the Bears, Deguara caught a 25-yard pass from Rodgers that helped set up the Packers first touchdown of the game.
In his last six games, Deguara has 13 catches for 139 yards and his first NFL touchdown. He has those 13 catches on 16 targets which means he has been getting more passes thrown his way and he’s been consistently making catches when given the chance.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has always been a supporter of Deguara and remains impressed with what the tight end could do. In training camp this season, he called his young tight end “such a savvy, smart football player. There’s so many things he does that are tough to coach.”
In addition to getting more chances to catch the ball, Deguara has improved his blocking as well. That is vital to the Packers offense. Deguara’s run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus has been improving in recent weeks and he currently ranks in the top half of the league among qualified tight ends in that category.
One of his best blocks came against the Bears when Deguara and Equanimeous St. Brown combined to make textbook blocks to spring Aaron Jones for a run that picked up a key first down in the second quarter.
Deguara has been savoring the chance to play more and he has enjoyed the process of learning the NFL game. “I’ve always tried to be a student of the game,” Deguara said. “Wherever I was, whether in high school, college, trying to do that extra work to know not only what I’ve got, but just learning the game of football. I’m still obviously learning a lot right now.”
Tight ends coach Justin Outten has also been pleased with the progress he’s seen from Deguara. “He’s clicking on all cylinders,” Outten told reporters in the days leading up to the Ravens game. “He’s playing fast, he’s come alive in every facet, he’s Josiah. He’s just going to grind through everything that gets thrown at him. He’s kept a positive attitude throughout this whole time and I think that’s why he’s in the spot that he’s in right now, because you could really go in the tank with injuries and knicks (if) you don’t have the right mindset. You’re not going to learn; you’re not going to grow.”
Deguara has credited veteran tight ends like Tonyan and Lewis for mentoring him and helping to speed up his development. As this is his first full NFL season, there is still room for growth for the University of Cincinnati alum.
One thing is certain: Deguara will play a key role in the Packers offense for the rest of this season and into the playoffs.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers