Green Bay Packers Add to TE Depth, Sign Alize Mack
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have a ways to go when it comes to filling out their 90-man roster for training camp, but they now find themselves one step closer. First reported by Rob Demovsky, and then later announced by the team site, the Packers have signed tight end Alize Mack to a futures deal.
For those wondering, a futures deal is a way for NFL teams to construct their 90-man rosters before the official new league year begins in March. At that point, Mack’s contract will become official with the Green Bay Packers.
Mack was a 2019 seventh-round pick out Notre Dame by the New Orleans Saints. He has no career regular-season snaps in the NFL and has spent time on the practice squads of New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and most recently in 2021, Detroit.
The 6’5″ – 247 pound Mack had three years of playing experience with Notre Dame. During that span, he was targeted 103 times, catching 62 percent of those passes at 10.6 yards per catch with four touchdowns. For what it’s worth, he graded out very well as a pass-blocker during his final two years by PFF’s metrics ($$).
Mack is also a very good athlete, recording a 4.7 40-yard dash as part of the pre-draft process, as well as a 4.34 in the shuttle. He posted an overall Relative Athletic Score of 8.54 out of 10.
While things have likely changed to some degree now that Mack has spent a few seasons in the NFL, here is a look at his pre-draft scouting report from Joe Marino of The Draft Network:
"“As a receiver, Mack offers plenty of appeal. His size, ball skills, hands and fluidity make him a matchup problem that can win both flexed and in-line. While Mack shows plenty of fight, there are major technical flaws and lack of play strength when forecasting him as a blocker at the next level. While he may never be a starter, Mack should be an effective sub package player at the next level that provides his offense a potent weapon in the passing game.”"
For the Green Bay Packers, the tight end room has some question marks entering 2022, specifically in the passing game. Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, and Tyler Davis are all under contract, and I expect Dominique Dafney — an exclusive rights free agent — to be back as well. From a blocking standpoint, Green Bay is in good shape with this group, but they do not have a true pass-catching tight end.
Mack will give them someone who could perhaps fill that move tight end role with his athleticism, but ultimately, he is likely going to end up fighting for a roster spot.