Of the 96 players Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has drafted since 2005, more than half have played on offense. Clearly, Thompson likes himself some weapons.
That could prove important as we approach the start of the 2015 NFL Draft later this month. You see, the Packers are in need of some offensive help. Specifically, the tight end position has been lacking in recent seasons.
"The Packers solidified their receiver corps by re-signing Randall Cobb," Tom Gower of Football Outsiders wrote. "No Green Bay tight end, however, had a positive DVOA, a remarkable accomplishment for a group playing with Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Quarless is no more than a journeyman and Richard Rodgers was ineffective as a rookie. A dynamic receiving option would help."
The top tight end in this year's draft is Minnesota's Maxx Williams. Despite his physical ability, Williams is expected to drop the end of the first-round or possible even to the second-round. As is the cast with many young tight ends, Williams' blocking leaves a lot to be desired.
"The need to polish in those areas is among the reasons NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. have said on conference calls they view Williams as a second-round pick instead of a surefire first-round selection," Nate Ulrich of the Akron beacon Journal wrote.
Would the Packers, with the 30th overall pick in the draft, be interested in Williams?
"Williams would provide the team with something that they currently don't have at the position," Bob Fox of Bleacher Report wrote. "That is, a tight end who can stretch defenses deep down the seam. With Both Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarles, the Packers have a couple tight ends who are pretty effective in the short and medium range areas only."
The NFL Draft will kickoff on April 30.
