Next in the positional rankings are tight ends. The Packers addressed their immediate need at the position by signing Jared Cook to a one year deal but could still use someone for the long term.  I've watched just about every tight end in this draft but I've only ranked five of them because that’s the cut off of who I believe would be an upgrade over Richard Rodgers early in their career. 

Previous positional rankings:

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-quarterbacks

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-running-backs

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-wide-receivers

Tight Ends

1.       Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas- Henry combines great size, 6’5” 250lbs, with solid route running and soft hands.  Henry is a threat at just about every level of the field and can line up in several different spots. Henry has no fear going over the middle to make contested catches and didn’t record a single drop on the year. While Henry’s hands are good, he isn’t overly athletic and isn’t going to scare defenders as a guy who can create much after the catch. Despite his lack of elite athleticism, Henry does a decent job creating separation and uses his body to shield off defenders. As a blocker, the 21 year old leaves a bit to be desired. He does a nice job down blocking and can seal the edge, but he can get a bit grabby, as he was called for 3 holding calls last year. He certainly has the size and flashes good technique, but he needs quite a bit of refinement. 

2.       Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky- Tyler Higbee is arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the 2016 draft. At 6’6, 249lbs he is built extremely well and still has room on his frame to add more muscle. Western Kentucky had Higbee line up inline, as an H-back, and in the slot to take advantage of the mismatches Higbee created as a receiver. Higbee can stretch the seam and is a great red zone threat due to his size, flexibility and athleticism. Higbee is an animal after the catch; he can run away from defenders, juke them out, or run through tackles to fight for extra yards.  As a blocker, Higbee has some things to improve on but is certainly willing. He has no hesitation about sticking his face in a guy but he could stand to add some strength to better sustain blocks.

3.       Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford- Hooper is a very solid receiving threat as well as a very good inline blocker. At 6’4” 254lbs, Hopper doesn’t consistently get open vs man coverage, and needs to work on his route running. He makes up for his inability to separate by making very tough catches in traffic. Hooper has good technique and has shown the ability to move or re-direct his man when blocking inline. He does, however, have a tough time blocking a moving target in space. Overall, Hooper has enough athleticism and technique as a blocker that he could develop into a starting tight end in the NFL.

4.       Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina- Jerrell Adams is a long strider who at 6’5” 247lbs looks the part of a prototypical tight end. He’s one of the more athletic tight ends in the draft, who can stretch the seam and works hard for yards after the catch. He isn’t a natural pass-catcher and tends to run his routes really high. Adams is a very functional blocker both inline and when split out. He does a nice job latching onto smaller defenders and can ride them out of the play.

5.       Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio St. – At 6’6 257lbs Vannett has ideal size for the tight end position. He was severely underutilized as a receiving option for Ohio St., catching only 19 balls his senior year. Vannett has shown the ability to make tough catches in traffic and does a nice job finding openings in zones. As a blocker, he does a nice job pulling around and sealing the edge.