With the 75th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected tight end Jace Sternberger. In what was a deep draft for tight ends, Sternberger might be the best pure receiver of them all. As a Packer, Sternberger has an opportunity to make history for one of the more historic franchises in all professional sports. If he can surpass 1,000 yards receiving, he’d be the first tight end in Packers history to do so.

In today’s NFL, an offense’s strategy revolves around mismatches. This tactic has given rise to the pass-catching offensive linemen known as tight ends. Most teams employ multiple tight ends for specific needs. For this reason, Jace Sternberger‘s ability as a blocker shouldn’t concern Green Bay Packers fans too much. With six tight ends on the roster, Green Bay has versatility and depth. The most pressing question isn’t whether Sternberger can play at the next level, but rather can first-year head coach Matt LaFleur get the most out of him?

Who is Jace Sternberger?

In his only season at Texas A&M, Sternberger would lead all of Division I with ten touchdown receptions by a tight end. His ten scores would also tie a school record. His 832 yards receiving for the position was second only to UCLA’s Caleb Wilson. Despite playing for a run-first offense, Sternberger was highly productive in the passing game.

In 2000, the John Mackey Award was established. Since then it has been given to the nation’s best tight end. Sternberger would be voted one of eight semifinalists, but that’s as close as he’d get. He’d have to settle for All-SEC honors as well as becoming a consensus All-American.

With the 12th selection of the third round, the Packers felt the award-winning tight end fit into their plans. Coach LaFleur is an offensive mind. He’s coached on that side of the ball in one form or another since 2003. It’s assumed that LaFleur will utilize Sternberger in the slot. At least he’ll be most impactful there in the first few years of his career. This is why I believe the rookie will have a chance to put up receiver-type numbers.

Route running

Sternberger could put up receiver numbers because a lot of his play is molded more to a receiver’s game. There are three aspects of his play that separate him from the other tight ends in his class. The first skill is route running.

On this play, the safety will take the bait when Sternberger takes a step to the outside. Once the safety commits, Sternberger breaks back to the inside and makes the catch over the middle.

With the tight end in-line, the defense will typically cover with a safety or linebacker. With Sternberger in the slot, an NFL team is more apt to put a nickel cornerback on a player of his caliber. Doing so wouldn’t lessen his impact, however. Sternberger has the ability to run precise patterns for his size. He keeps speed in and out of breaks with little to no wasted movements. Whoever’s in coverage will have their work cut out for them.

Soft hands

Jace “soft hands” Sternberger will wow with receiver-like grabs. Technically, this isn’t an actual nickname. I just thought it had a ring to it. This is the second skill that separates him from the pack.

As I stated earlier, his hands may be the best among all rookie tight ends. His soft hands may rival most receivers drafted this year. At 6-feet four, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will enjoy throwing to his catch radius. Not to mention the savvy running ability that will show up when Rodgers begins to scramble.

Not only is he terrific at high pointing the ball, but the combination of coordination and body control will lead to his share of Lambeau leaps.

Watch Sternberger snatch this ball out of the air with three defenders convening towards him.

Going back to Texas A&M’s run-first mentality, Sternberger was slightly underutilized in college. In 13 games he’d catch 48 passes. No other player on that offense would catch more than 45 passes. These aren’t prolific passing numbers.

Rodgers threw seven more passes per game than the Aggies offense. Furthermore, Sternberger will get three more games than he did in college if he remains healthy. With that said, the rookie tight end could reasonably haul in 50 balls in his first NFL season. Only 11 times has a Packers tight end caught 50 or more balls in a single year.

If Sternberger could manage 62 receptions in his rookie campaign, it would be a franchise record.

Yards after the catch

Of all Division I tight ends with at least 30 receptions, Sternberger was first in yards per reception with 17.3 YPC. Although he’s not the biggest tight end, he doesn’t gift defenders tackles.

As you can tell, Sternberger embarrassed the South Carolina Gamecocks. You can make an entire highlight reel from this game.

South Carolina’s defensive coordinator probably smashed his television after watching the poor tackling from his secondary. This defensive problem shouldn’t take credit away from Sternberger, however. The guy makes you bring him down.

At one point the Aggies used Sternberger in the screen game where he showed off his speed and ball carrier vision. He’s an intelligent player who will get the most out of every reception.

Expectations in Green Bay

For obvious reasons, Sternberger was drafted on day two. He’s not the well-rounded player at the tight end position a first round talent would need to be. This doesn’t mean he cannot further develop. The kid isn’t incapable of helping in the run game.

He played one full season at a high-level college. It will help that Green Bay currently rosters players like Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham. Having those guys around will only further Sternberger’s development and incremental transition.

Within the time it takes for Sternberger’s rookie contract to expire I expect Packers records to fall. For once, Green Bay has a tight end worthy of consistency. With an offensive mind cut from the Sean McVay tree, I expect big things from Sternberger in 2019.

Catching passes from Aaron Rodgers helps. With the receiver room underwhelming at this time, the tight ends will play a significant role in Green Bay’s offense. Sternberger’s intelligence and big-play ability will get him playing time right away. With the ball in his hands, good things happen.

It’s an excellent time to be an athletically gifted tight end with great hands. Furthermore, going to a team with a new offensive minded coach and arguably the best quarterback in football doesn’t hurt.

Symbolic of the clip above, Jace Sternberger seems to be in the right place at just the right time. So, don’t be surprised when he takes the NFL by storm.