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Green Bay Packers Draft: Pre-Free Agency Rankings for Positions of Need

By Dan Dahlke

Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive back William Jackson goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston defensive back William Jackson goes through a workout drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Need #2 – Tight End

Top-10 TEs

  1. Hunter Henry, Arkansas (6-5, 250)
  2. Austin Hooper, Stanford (6-4, 254, 4.72)
  3. Nick Vannett, Ohio State (6-6, 256)
  4. Jerell Adams, South Carolina (6-5, 247, 4.64)
  5. Ben Braunecker, Harvard (6-3, 250, 4.73)
  6. Devon Cajuste, Stanford (6-4, 232, 4.62)
  7. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky (6-5, 233)
  8. Thomas Duarte, UCLA (6-2, 231, 4.72)
  9. Bryce Williams, East Carolina (6-6, 257, 4.94)
  10. Jake McGee, Florida (6-5, 252)

Risers: Jerell Adams, Ben Braunecker, Austin Hooper
Fallers: Bryce Williams, Kyle Carter, Darion Griswold, David Morgan

Honestly, this tight end class is so difficult to figure out. Beyond the top three guys, it feels like guess work putting the board together. Henry, Hooper, and Vannett are all great both in workouts and on film and should contribute immediately to an NFL roster once they’re drafted.

However, the remaining group leaves a lot to be desired. Adams and Braunecker walk away from Indianapolis as the biggest winners at the position. They both registered top numbers in the forty, vertical, and three-cone drill. It’s clear they’re great athletes for the position, but I need to see what they offer on film before I feel confident placing them any higher on the board.

Former college wideouts Devon Cajuste and Thomas Duarte are candidates to move to tight end in the NFL, and in fact, Duarte worked out as a tight end at the combine. If both players make the position switch it would definitely strengthen this year’s tight end class.

Cajuste spent a lot of time lining up in the slot as a wide receiver in Stanford’s offense, as the Cardinals used his size and physical playing ability to outmatch linebackers and safeties in coverage. He could fulfill a similar role in the NFL as a “Joker” tight end.

New Names: Temmarrick Hemingway (6-5, 244, 4.71), Beau Sandland (6-4, 253, 4.74)

Hemingway and Sandaled are both non-power five players that I didn’t study in college, but would like to research some more after their combine performances.

Next: Need #3 - DL

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