Green Bay Packers: Mitchell Henry shows some skills
Mitchell Henry turns heads at Packers OTA
With tight ends Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers and Justin Perillo on the depth chart, undrafted free agent Mitchell Henry, a Hilltopper out of Western Kentucky, has a lot to prove and a ways to go to have an opportunity to climb into the competition for a place on the Packers’ roster.
In other words, he’s a long shot – a very long shot – to make the team’s roster. Heck, he’s a long shot to make the practice squad.
But everyone forgot to tell him that today as he made a couple of plays at the Packers’ OTA that caught the attention of all who were watching.
So, as an undrafted player, he is one who most don’t know much about.
Here’s a quick look at how NFL.com described his strengths and weaknesses on their website:
STRENGTHS
Tough pass-catcher in space. Doesn’t search out safeties or linebackers when working the middle of the field and is willing to take the big hit and finish the catch. Natural hands. Adjusts routes when working seam to open up larger throwing windows for quarterback. Keeps working to open up when plays stall. Good foot quickness out of breaks. Will make the contested catch. Adequate play speed.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks play strength of an inline NFL tight end. Struggles to sustain his blocks and will get outworked for the edge by stronger opponents. At times, will wait for throws to make it to his body rather than extending and snatching. Routes are raw and need to be sharpened.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Priority free agent
BOTTOM LINE
Not enough sand in his pants to be a reliable blocker at the point of attack, so he might have to transition into more of an H-back role or move tight end. Has the hands and toughness to make contested catches as well as the foot quickness to get open. Worthy priority free agent target.
Here’s how Packers.com described Mitchell when he was signed by Green Bay Pack in early May:
"TE Mitchell Henry was signed on May 8, 2015. Henry, 22, played in 47 games at Western Kentucky, starting 24 and registering 78 receptions for 1,094 yards (14.0 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. He set career highs in receptions (32), yards (489) and touchdowns (four) as a senior. During the 2014 season, Henry was named the John Mackey Tight End of the Week after catching seven passes for 128 yards (18.3 avg.) and two touchdowns at Middle Tennessee State."
Here’s what the Western Kentucky University website had to say about him:
"Henry caught 72 passes for over 1,100 yards in his senior season at Elizabethtown High School, scoring 14 touchdowns. For his career, he tallied over 1,700 yards receiving with 113 receptions, including 21 touchdown receptions. Henry earned Honorable Mention All-State and First-Team All-District honors and was named to the Class of the Commonwealth First Team by the Lexington Herald-Leader while also receiving Best of the Bluegrass All-Star honors. He was rated as the 44th-best tight end in the nation by ESPN.com and the 88th-best tight end in the nation by Scout.com. Henry was tabbed as a three-star recruit by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com. He was a standout on the basketball court as well as track and field, earning All-District, All-Region and All-Area honors while being named an East-West All-Star on the hardwood. He helped lead Elizabethtown High to a regional track and field title in both 2009 and 2010 season, earning All-State honors in the shot put."
… And here’s more from WKU website:
- Receptions:7 at Middle Tennessee (9/13/14)
- Yards: 128 at Middle Tennessee (9/13/14)
- Touchdowns: 2 (twice)
2013 (Jr.):
Henry saw action in all 12 games, starting six, as the team’s primary pass-catching tight end. Henry led the position group with 25 catches for 305 yards and a pair of touchdowns, against Kentucky and ULL, while also leading the team in receiving yards in the Kentucky (65) and ULM (65) games. Henry hauled in at least one reception in each of the team’s first eight games and caught at least one pass in 10 of 12 games on the year. His six catches in the opener against Kentucky tied for the team-lead while his five receptions against ULL were a team-best.
So, how does a guy like this make the Packers roster – a team that values blocking skills nearly as much as pass-catching skills?
Well, one way is to keep making big plays when he has the opportunity. Blocking can be taught and if he has the abilities in place that may give him a leg up on his competition he might be a player the Packers consider.
But, again, it’s a long shot.