Green Bay Packers: Five first-round options in 2017 NFL Draft
TE Gerald Everett, South Alabama
Before you laugh off the suggestion of the Packers selecting Gerald Everett in the first round, allow me to talk you on to the bandwagon.
Everett is, in my opinion, flying under the radar and would be a tremendous asset to the Packers’ aerial attack. O.J. Howard and David Njoku are the premier tight ends of the class, but it’s unlikely either is available when it’s Green Bay’s time to pick.
Despite that, Everett too is one of the best tight ends the draft has to offer. What he lacks in ideal size (6-foot-3, 227 pounds), he makes up for in athleticism, speed and pass catching. During his time at South Alabama, Everett showed off his receiving ability, especially after the catch.
Fearless in the middle of the field, the tight end can stroll past defenders for significant gains. Pairing him with Jared Cook (should he re-sign) would give the Packers two mismatches at the position who excel as receivers. Mike McCarthy loves his tight ends, and Green Bay’s passing game could be as strong as ever with two legitimate pass-catching tight ends on the roster.
NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah placed Everett at No. 35 when ranking his top-50 overall prospects, describing him as a “big-time talent who could emerge as a top-tier tight end in the NFL”.
That’s good enough for me, and precisely why I’d have no complaints if Ted Thompson exchanges his 29th overall pick for the South Alabama tight end.