Packers: Jimmy Graham in top three of 2018 NFL tight end rankings

A quick preview of the tight end position headed into the 2018 season.

The future of the tight end position is a bit concerning. Star tight ends such as Rob Gronkowski, Delanie Walker, Greg Olsen, and Antonio Gates could be nearing retirement and there is a lack of talent that can replace the void that their retirement will leave.

Some names that have come out of college recently such as Austin Hooper, Evan Engram, Hunter Henry and O.J. Howard have shown flashes of brilliance, but after that I am having a hard time coming up with names that I see having the potential to be close to the precedent the top veteran tight ends have set.

Even the current depth at the tight end position is concerning. The crop of top tight ends is strong. Jimmy Graham could have a resurgence playing with Aaron Rodgers. Rob Gronkowski is, in my opinion, the best tight end of all time. Travis Kelce is a rising star. After that though, the depth at the position dwindles in terms of talent.

There are a few guys that have the potential to one day be top-three tight end talents, but that is a rarity when you even look at rankings like this one. Most of the tight ends even in the top 15 of these rankings lack the potential that you see from players on earlier lists that I have written this year. The NFL needs college football teams to develop tight ends better.

Anyway, let’s get this going.