Green Bay Packers Draft: Pre-Combine Rankings for Positions of Need
By Dan Dahlke
Need #2 – Tight End
Top-10 TEs
- Hunter Henry, Arkansas (6-5, 253)
- Austin Hooper, Stanford (6-3, 248)
- Nick Vannett, Ohio State (6-6, 256)
- Bryce Williams, East Carolina (6-6, 260)
- Jerell Adams, South Carolina (6-5, 254)
- Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky (6-5, 233)
- Darion Griswold, Arkansas State (6-3, 253)
- Henry Kreiger-Coble, Iowa (6-3, 248)
- Jake McGee, Florida (6-5, 252)
- Kyle Carter, Penn St (6-3, 248)
The Breakdown: There are definitely a handful of tight end prospects I really like in this year’s class; however, this group, overall, is very thin.
Henry is clearly the best combo-tight end coming out of college. Already garnering Jason Witten comparisons, Henry’s an effective blocker, but his soft hands and crisp route-running allow him to make an even bigger impact as a receiving target on offense.
Hooper is an athletic receiver at the position–maybe the best in this class in this area. However, he needs to still make gains as a blocker. Vannett, on the other hand, may be the most impressive blocker in this class. He’s also an underrated athlete and receiver.
Although not elite athletes, Williams and Higbee were very productive receivers in college and bring balance to the position, while Adams and Griswold could really improve their draft stock by putting up big numbers at the Combine this week.
Most Underrated: Nick Vannett
Vannett was only a one-year starter at Ohio State and his receiving numbers won’t catch anyone’s attention. This may cause him to get overlooked by many.
However, the Buckeyes run-heavy offense limited Vannett’s targets in the passing game, not to mention the quarterback carousel at Ohio State in the first half of the 2015 season.
On film, Vannett looks like a natural receiver, and when given opportunity, he makes the play. At the next level paired with a good quarterback, the former OSU tight end should have better production in the passing game.
Next: Need #3 - DL