2018 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers 7-round mock draft in October

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes an 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2016 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 38: Mike Gesicki, TE – Penn State

With one offensive weapon already added in this round, why not add another? The Packers are a passing team that enjoys utilizing defensive mismatches, especially in the slot and with tight ends. All of this points to Penn State’s Mike Gesicki being the perfect fit for this team. Gesicki has nine touchdowns for Penn State since the start of 2016.

Last season, Gesicki proved to be a deep target threat as he averaged 14.1 yards per reception. For comparison, tight end O.J. Howard, who was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, averaged 13.2 yards per reception during the same season.

The Packers have a talented tight end in Martellus Bennett already. Bennett signed a three-year deal in the 2017 offseason. However, Bennett has struggled to find a role in the Green Bay offense. Bennett, who is coming off a 2016 campaign in which he had a career-best in touchdowns and catch percentage in New England, is averaging just 33.3 yards per game this year.

Bennett’s 33.3 yards per game is his worst since 2011 and through seven games Bennett has still failed to find the end zone. Bringing in competition by drafting Gesicki could be a boost to the offense and to Bennett.

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