Packers 2017 Draft: Red and Black Dot players on Offense

Our “Red Dot” Tight Ends

Kyle — Jake Butt, Michigan

Jake Butt isn’t the best player at his position in this draft. But, he might provide the best opportunity for value at the tight end position. He also might not be ready to play much in his first season because of the injury he sustained against Ohio State this year. However, he eventually offers a Jason Witten-like skill set that would be an absolute steal somewhere around the fourth round of the draft.

Dan — O.J. Howard, Alabama

Howard is the complete package at tight end. He’s tall, athletic and moves well in space. He’s also a tenacious run blocker and boasts strong hands. While he was underutilized in the Crimson Tide offense, Howard has all of the physical tools to be a true impact player at the position in the NFL. He can line up in-line, as an H-Back, or out wide in the slot. He probably won’t fall out of the top-20 picks, but if he manages to fall to the end of the first round, the Packers should sprint to the podium and call his name.

Our “Black Dot” Tight Ends

Kyle — Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas

There’s really nothing that excites me about Sprinkle’s game. He’s good at some things, but not great at anything. He has a pretty low ceiling in my opinion. The nail in the coffin is his off the field shoplifting incident at the bowl game. I can’t pick a guy that underwhelms me on the field and that I can’t trust off of it.

Dan — Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech

I get the argument for Hodges as an intriguing offensive weapon, but if you’re looking for a legitimate tight end for your roster, Hodges is not your guy. Hodges rarely played in-line or in a traditional tight end role at Virginia Tech, and he also showed very little ability to block in the running game. Essentially, Hodges is a tall 6-foot-7, 250-pound wide receiver. And while the former ACC standout has intriguing athleticism, his route running and competitiveness are severely lacking on film. Hodges is a major project at the next level.