Packers: Three bold predictions for 2021 NFL Draft

2. Packers draft tight end for third year in a row

The Packers have thrown just about everything at tight end in recent years, including a couple of third-round picks in their past two drafts. It’s also a position they’ve signed players consistently in free agency.

Looking ahead to 2022, tight end could be a need again for Green Bay, as I noted earlier this week. There’s a possibility the Packers could be without both Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis beyond this season. Tonyan will be an unrestricted free agent, while Lewis will be 38 and the team could look to move on.

That would leave Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara as the top two tight ends on the roster, both third-round picks since 2019.

Sternberger has struggled so far, catching only 12 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in his first two seasons. With Tonyan and Lewis playing such important roles, Sternberger hasn’t been able to get consistent playing time.

The Packers will have high hopes for Deguara, who is returning from a torn ACL. But his role could be different from the other tight ends on the roster. His versatility will be key and we could see him line up at fullback regularly.

Tight end might not seem to be a big need this year, and it’s not right now, but a year from now it could be different. Gutekunst showed last offseason that he has one eye on the future. They could well draft a tight end again this week.