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Should the Green Bay Packers be satisfied at tight end?

By Keegan Matheson

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Since the loss of Jermichael Finley to an injury that now appears to be career-ending, the Green Bay Packers have lacked the presence of a true vertical threat at tight end.  Head coach Mike McCarthy had admittedly built his offense around Finley prior to his injury, and his infatuation with the positions has raised questions over whether the Green Bay Packers will seek an upgrade.

The departure of Seahawks’ fan-favorite Brandon Bostick has left Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers as the team’s top two options at the position.  While both come with their merits, Rodgers especially, neither fit the mold of a tight end with the speed to stretch the seam.  This dimension would drag safety coverage high, opening up short and intermediate routes for Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams to excel with yards after the catch.

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At this point, Andrew Quarless cannot be seen as anything more than a complimentary tight end.  He set career highs in 2014 with 323 yards a 3 touchdowns.  Richard Rodgers, on the other hand, began to impress as the year wore on after being selected in the 3rd round, 98th overall, out of California.

At 6’4 and 257 pounds, Rodgers ran a 4.87-second 40 yard dash at the 2014 Scouting Combine and was expected to fall around the 5th round.  The pick struck many as a reach initially, but Ted Thompson may have been on to something.  While Rodgers may not be able to stretch the seam of a field, his blocking improved through the 2014 season and his hands showed to be a plus trait.

A season of 500-600 yards would not surprise me from Richard Rodgers in 2015 as he builds trust with his quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  Given the Packers needs elsewhere on the roster, adding an athletic “project” tight ends in the middle to late rounds may be the best course of action.  Green Bay is not a quick-fix, reactionary front office, and I don’t expect them to move on from the young Rodgers anytime soon.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (89) scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This draft class also boasts very little top-end talent at tight end.  Minnesota’s Maxx Williams tops the class, but I have a second round grade on him.  It’s important to remember that history suggests drafting tight ends high is rarely an assurance of an elite weapon, either.  The last four tight ends drafted in the first round, Eric Ebron (2014), Tyler Eifert (2013), Jermaine Gresham (2010) and Brandon Pettigrew), have all struggled to become the focal point of their offenses.

Green Bay may be tempted by Michigan’s raw-but-talented Devin Funchess should he fall to them in round two.  Rory Anderson of South Carolina offers a physically imposing and athletically gifted skill set while Ohio State’s Jeff Heuerman and Oklahoma’s Blake Bell could tempt the Packers with their size in the later rounds.

The modern Gronkowski-style tight end is a relatively new concept to the NFL.  It’s a position suddenly in vogue, but the prospect pools have yet to provide enough options to fill the demand.  A benefit, however, is that unique athletes can be taken and shaped into tight ends, and I see that as Green Bay’s best course of action.

In the meantime, Richard Rodgers will be a hot candidate for the Packers “breakout” player in 2015.  Just as an athletic tight end can draw coverage away from receivers, a duo of Cobb and Nelson stretches a secondary very thin.  This should leave plenty of opportunities for Rodgers in the 8-12 yard range over the heart of the field, and if Aaron Rodgers can find him, he’s not dropping it.

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