Green Bay Packers Draft: Top 5 tight end targets
By Dan Dahlke
Miami Hurricanes tight end Clive Walford (46). Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
With the NFL Draft only a month away, the Green Bay Packers‘ draft board is taking shape.
In recent weeks, we took a look at the Packers’ top five draft targets at inside linebacker and cornerback, and today, we’ll continue looking at the top players at another position of need for Green Bay.
Despite the majority of Packers’ needs being on the defensive side of the ball, Ted Thompson and company could still shore up a few areas on offense with a few draft picks this spring.
As of now, the top need on offense continues to be at tight end.
Second-year man and former third-round pick Richard Rodgers could still be the answer at the position. He showed some promise in the passing game as a rookie and could develop into a quality starter in the NFL once he improves his blocking.
More from Green Bay Packers Draft
- Packers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home run
- Packers: 3 different mock drafts with Aaron Rodgers trades
- Packers: Pass rusher Will McDonald IV has pre-draft visit
- Packers 3-round mock draft: Aaron Rodgers trade nets two picks
- Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the guy for the Packers in first round
However, beyond Rodgers there isn’t much to like when it comes to the Packers tight end group. Andrew Quarless hasn’t emerged as much more than a role player on the field, and his contract will expire after next season.
In five seasons, Quarless hasn’t shown consistency in the passing game, and his ability as a blocker has really taken a step back the past couple of seasons.
Going into next season, the Packers still need two things to emerge at the tight end position–a reliable blocking presence in the running game and a dynamic receiver who can open things up for the offense down the seam. Even with Richard Rodgers, Green Bay just doesn’t have that right now.
Expect the Packers to draft a young tight end this spring to add another dynamic to their offense and improve the overall depth of the position.
Sitting at the end of the first round, Green Bay could have an opportunity land the top tight end prospect in the draft, or they could wait and still find a quality tight end in the third or fourth round.
The following is a breakdown of the top five tight ends they could target on draft day.
Next: Top TE Target?