Prior to the signing, Dabney appeared to be the leading candidate for the No. 3 tight end job if the Packers kept three tight ends on the 53-man roster. Contenders during training camp included Josh Whyle and other players competing for the third spot. With the arrival of Smith, the dynamic changes: the coaching staff now has to account for Dabney’s role in a broader, more flexible tight end rotation.
The team’s current injury situation compounds the decision. Tucker Kraft has recovered from his ACL injury and is healthy, but Luke Musgrave remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a neck issue. Indications suggest Musgrave could miss the first six games of the regular season, which has already influenced the Packers’ thinking about how to structure their tight end depth early in the year. Smith, who can play a complementary role to Kraft, adds a veteran presence and versatility to the unit.
As a result of Smith’s signing, the depth chart at tight end has shifted. The plan appears to include Whyle moving into a more prominent role as the primary backup behind Kraft and Musgrave, while Dabney could be pushed down the depth chart or even become a candidate for the practice squad if the team decides to carry an additional large-bodied blocker or a more versatile depth option. Dabney’s skill set has been characterized as a blocking tight end, which historically aligns with Kraft’s potential role as a more complete blocker and receiver when needed. The addition of Smith creates a broader spectrum of ways the coaching staff can deploy multiple tight ends on game days.
From Dabney’s perspective, his path to securing a roster spot hinges on continued development and versatility. He joined Green Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Christian University and spent time with the Titans before signing with the Packers. He appeared in two games for Green Bay in the previous season, recording a single reception for three yards. While that minimal stat line doesn’t tell the full story of his potential, it does illustrate the narrow margins involved in winning a spot on the final 53-man roster at a position where multiple bodies are vying for limited roles.
Through the preseason, Dabney had shown he could contribute in camp and in exhibition games, especially as injuries peeled back the depth at tight end. However, with Smith now part of the tight end corps, the Packers face a decision about how many players to keep at the position and which players best fit the team’s longer-term plan. If Dabney remains in the competition, he may need to demonstrate a strong performance in the remaining preseason contest to prove he can function as a reliable blocker and occasional receiver within a deeper unit.
Looking ahead, the Packers’ evaluation process will continue through the final preseason game and the roster-cut deadline. Dabney’s status will hinge on how he stacks up against other depth options and how the team prioritizes blocking strength, special teams contribution, and matchup versatility at the position. The roster decisions around tight end will also be influenced by how the team wants to balance youth, experience, and scheme fit, especially given the injuries that could affect Musgrave’s early-season availability.
In summary, the signing of Jonnu Smith introduces a higher level of competition at the tight end position for Green Bay. It creates uncertainty for Drake Dabney, who had progressed into a position where he was a clear No. 3 option during much of training camp. The coming weeks will determine whether Dabney remains a primary depth option, slides into a fourth tight end spot, or transitions to a practice squad role. Regardless of the outcome, the move strengthens Green Bay’s tight end group overall, giving the coaching staff more tools to deploy multiple tight ends in various formations as they navigate an early-season schedule with Musgrave temporarily sidelined and Kraft expected to be a central figure in the passing and blocking game.
