Packers Positional Breakdown: Tight Ends

By Alex Berger

Before free agency officially opens on March 11th, we'll be combing through the Packers roster position by position to see what changes may need to come if the Lombardi trophy is to come home next year.

Here's how the Packers currently fare at the tight end position.


Players Under Contract: Ryan Taylor, Brandon Bostick, Jake Stoneburner

Of the three tight ends currently on the Packers' roster, none should even be considered as starters heading into next season.  

Although Ryan Taylor is a core special teams player, he has never developed as an offensive weapon, dropping passes and failing to make plays.  

Bostick has been the most successful player of the group and has 120 yards and a touchdown to his name for his career.  

Stoneburner, like Taylor, is a special teams player and has never even caught a pass in the NFL.  Thompson must upgrade this position heading into 2014.

Free Agents: Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless

Finley, who was enjoying his finest campaign of his career in 2013, went down with a severe injury that looked like it could end his career.  His recovery has seemed to go well though, as he intends to play again in the 2014 season.  However, that will most likely not be in Green Bay as the team doctors do not comfortable with clearing him to play again.  

After Finley went down, Andrew Quarless became the starting tight end.  While he made a few plays down the stretch, he struggled for most of that time, not being able to get open or make plays.

My Tips for Ted:

The tight end position needs a complete overhaul.  It is a must for Thompson to address the gaping hole at this position either through free agency or via the draft.  Finding a tight end who could not only be a solid target for Rodgers but a good blocker for the running game would add another dimension to Green Bay's offense.

Grade: F

Until changes are made at this position, the Packers will receive a failing grade.  Heading into next season with three tight ends who have a total of 165 yards and one touchdown combined in their careers would be a terrible mistake.