The Packers have not had a tight end who could consistently attack the seam since Jermichael Finley. The Packers attempted to plug Martellus Bennett in that role with disastrous results, and with Richard Rodgers athletically limited – and a Free Agent – the Packers do not have a player in that role currently. With only Lance Kendricks under contract through 2018, the Packers need a tight end, and will likely find one in the 2018 Draft. The Packers got the gang back together when McCarthy reunited with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. The Packers look to recreate the lethal 2011 offense, and will need an upgrade at tight end to accomplish that.

Dallas Goedert – South Dakota State

Dallas Goedert is my number 1 tight end in this year’s draft class. Goedert is know for his highlight 1 handed catches as a part of the Jackrabbits. Goedert is a big body at 6’4 1/2 260 with 10 1/8 inch hands. He may be a small school but played well against FCS National Champion North Dakota State in 2017 and in 2016 vs TCU. Goedert is a willing blocker, but his strength in in the passing game. While at South Dakota State, Goedert had 198 catches for 2988 yards and 21 touchdown catches, 18 of those scores were in his Junior and senior season. Goedert averaged 15.1 yards per reception in his career in Brookings. He unfortunately hurt his hamstring the first Senior Bowl practice and will likely miss the game, hopefully, Goedert recovers fully in time for Indianapolis, as he could sneak into the middle of the first round if he has and a good combine. Goedert is a former basketball player so he can use his frame to box defenders out and use use his skills with his 79 5/8 inch wingspan makes him a very large target with a big catch radius.. If drafted by Green Bay, Goedert could be that chess piece Finley was in the 2011 offense.

Mark Andrews – Oklahoma

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Mark Andrews is the Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end. He was a target of Heisman Trophy winner and top QB prospect Baker Mayfield. Andrews ended his Sooner Career with a career high 62 catchers for 958 and 8 scores. Andrews had 4 catches for 52 yards in the Sooners Rose Bowl loss to Georgia. Andrews declared as a Junior and has impressive size being listed at 6-5 252. We will know his exact size and measurements at the NFL Combine in February. in his career Andrews has 122 catches for 1765 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is a very good athlete for his size.

Mike Gesicki – Penn State

Mike Gesicki isn’t quite the athlete Andrews or Goedert are but is still very impressive. Gesicki measured at 6’5 3/8 and 242 with 10 1/8 inch hands. He has slightly longer arms than Goedert. The only issue with Gesicki for me is his athleticism. He needs a good week in Mobile and in Indianapolis to help his stock.

Troy Fumagalli – Wisconsin

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Death, Taxes and Wisconsin developing solid NFL tight ends. Troy Fumagalli is the best blocking TE in this draft class, despite having 9 fingers since birth, his left index finger was amputated due to a defect while he was in the womb. Fumagalli was invited to the Senior Bowl and was a big winner at weigh ins. Fumagalli measured at 6’4 7/8 and 247 pounds. His arms are shortest of the top 3 seniors in this list at 32 1/4 and hands are 1/2 inch smaller than Gesicki and Goedert’s. Fumagalli could best be used as a red zone target and a blocking tight end.

Durham Smythe – Notre Dame

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Durham Smythe hasn’t had very good Quarterback Play while with the Irish. He will be a better pro than Collegian. Smythe was invited to the senior bowl Measuring at 6’5 1/4 and 253 pounds wirh 9 3/8 hands. Smythe doesn’t have guady stats but is still a good target as a possession receiver and blocker.

Allen Lazard – Iowa State

Lazard was a receiver at Iowa State and in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, But his size makes him a possible candidate to move to H-back. Lazard struggled with drops early on the first day of Practice in Mobile. At 6’4 1/4 and 227 pounds Lazard has the size to play the Hback role but it depends on his flipping of his hips and his 3 cone. Lazard has 9 7/8 inch hands and those hands were on display in Iowa State’s upset of Oklahoma and their Liberty Bowl win over Memphis.

Adam Breneman – UMass

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Breneman is another candidate for being a H-back or Joker tight end at 6’4 and 241. Breneman was unfortunately injured during Senior Bowl practice and will no longer be playing in the game. Hopefully he can be healthy to participate in the combine. Breneman led the country in receptions by a tight end with 64 grabs. Breneman graduated from Penn State and transferred to UMass after his redshirt sophomore year.

Tyler Conklin – Central Michigan

Conkin is a bit short for some at 6’2 7/8 but had a solid career for Central Michigan. Conklin is a very solid candidate to get later in the draft after drafting one of the top tight ends. Conklin’s size and catching ability nmake him a good candidate for the move tight end/H-Back/Joker.

Hayden Hurst – South Carolina

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Hurst is a good tight end, the only issue I have is his age. Hurst turns 25 in August and after the flops of older rookies in Dmitri Goodson and Kyler Fackrell I am a bit hesitant of Hurst and his ability to develop. He’s low on this list because of his age and new GM Brian Gutekunst may stay away from him due to it.

Damon Gibson – Minnesota State – Moorhead

Gibson was a receiver for the Dragons but moved to tight end for the East-West Shrine game. Gibson has the perfect size for a developmental tight end prospect at 6’3 3/4 249 with 9 3/4 in hands. Gibson should be a good late round or Undrafted pick up to stash.