One name you keep hearing associated with the Green Bay Packers and their No. 27 overall draft pick is Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry.
There’s good reason for that. The Packers could obviously use an upgrade at the tight end position, where incumbent Richard Rodgers averaged a meager 8.8 yards per reception in 2015, and Henry is the best of the bunch.
The problem for the Packers is he looks like the only first-round pick tight end in this year’s draft.
ESPN only has three other guys with fourth-round grades or better. They are Stanford’s Austin Hooper (2), South Carolina’s Jerell Adams (3) and Ohio State’s Nick Vannett (3).
That’s not a lot of impact players to choose from. Rookie tight ends are historically not terribly productive either.
Maxx Williams, the top tight end selected in the 2015 NFL Draft (No. 55), had a Rodgers-like 32 catches for 268 yards (8.4 per) and one touchdown last season. The top guy in the 2014 draft, Eric Ebron (No. 10), caught 25 balls for 248 yards and one touchdown as a rookie.
Even the Packers’ best recent tight end, Jermichael Finley, was essentially a no-show as a rookie. He had just six catches for 74 yards in 2008.
That’s evidence of two things.
The Packers are reluctant to play rookies at all, but especially tight ends. Another example is Kennard Backman, a 2015 draft pick. He played all of 11 snaps on offense last season.
As those first three examples illustrate, even if a tight end is drafted highly and gets ample playing time, you shouldn’t expect big things of him during his rookie season.
The Packers may be better off looking to the free agent market, at least if they want more production out of the tight end position in 2016.
The list of free agent tight ends isn’t overwhelming by any means, but the Packers could potentially find some decent competition for Rodgers for the right price.
Indianapolis’ Coby Fleener has had some moments and he’s only 27. San Diego’s Ladarius Green is just 25.
Then there’s 28-year-old Jared Cook, who was released by the Rams last week.
Those are decent options.
Unfortunately, we suspect the Packers will choose none of them.
We fully expect Ted Thompson to give Rodgers another year and to pick a developmental tight end in this year’s draft.
Sure, if Henry is there at 27, we could see Ted pulling the trigger. However, even if he does, Henry isn’t likely to unseat Rodgers in year one anyway.
They better be prepared to move up ahead of the Steelers to draft this talented young man. That is, of course, assuming the Steelers aren’t already planning to move up themselves.
This kid could be the real deal. He doesn’t even need to be very productive the first 1/2 of the year, but he could emerge for any team in the 2nd half and go from there.
We must trade up to pick 20-ish to get him. This is a must. The defense is where I want my free agents to fill in. I’m more interested in seeing a DT stud like Damon Harrison and a solid ILB FA pickup. Still like my plan for success.
Last year I wanted the Packers to pick up Linval Joseph from the Giants—the Vikes got him and he was their best defensive lineman. He also didn’t cost too much and neither will a guy like Damon who favors winning over largest contract.
Have not spent a lot of time on the draft yet, so you may be correct. Don’t you think the steelers have a bigger need at cornerback? The Pack could stay at their current spot and still have a shot Henry. The Pack does need to upgrade at TE but trading picks to move up in the first round for a TE?
yes draft him if TT doesn’t draft him or sign free agents he needs to go period
Moving up in the first round to draft a TE is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard
Yup. Much rather have a stud ILB, offensive tackle or d-lineman.
Agreed Kato
If the plan is to go strong this season (i.e., really trying to get up to elite level, patching the existing needs with sth else than UFAs), a drafted TE is not going to be enough. It is a position that takes time to learn at pro level. As Monty has illustrated, even highly regarded first rdrs take years to make an impact. And Aaron’s is not getting any younger…
I’d rather have vannett from Ohio St in the 3rd. Richard Rodgers has good hands but he’s just too damn slow
You good people need to have some faith in one Mr. Ted Thompson. He knows what he’s doing.
If TT didn’t take a pass on Greg Olsen, we never would of had the pleasure of drafting Justin Harrell.
The Packers need to look to collage BB and train their own tight end.
PF4L- if you look at the drafting history of every GM in the league, you would see someone use a draft pick, that in hindsight looked stupid given who was available.
It’s so cute to see people debate about the Packers drafting players in the first round who are not offensive lineman, defensive lineman or outside linebackers. It’s like believing in the Easter Bunny.
or defensive backs….
Wait for chicago to cut martellus bennett loose, pick him up for the final year of contract (5m). 1st round, draft our linebacker (ilb or outside), 2nd round draft tight end to develop behind bennett.
Dunno if the polar bear will use a 1st round pick on ilb though.