Dairyland Express
Fansided

8 Combine Prospects to Watch at Packers Positions of Need

By Paul Bretl

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Boye Mafe #34 of the Minnesota Golden tackles Taulia Tagovailoa #3 of the Maryland Terrapins during a college football game on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Boye Mafe #34 of the Minnesota Golden tackles Taulia Tagovailoa #3 of the Maryland Terrapins during a college football game on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Green Bay Packers
Dec 17, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers tight end Isaiah Likely (4) makes a catch during the second half against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the 2021 Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

Green Bay Packers Position of Need: Tight End, Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

If Robert Tonyan ends up elsewhere, the Green Bay Packers very much need a pass-catching option at the tight end position–an element that was greatly missing last season with Tonyan sidelined.

Likely has 169 career targets, including 70 this past season. He has a career catch rate of almost 72% and is averaging an impressive 15.4 yards per catch with 24 touchdowns. According to PFF, 62% of his snaps came lined up in-line with about 31% from the slot.

"“Likely is an athletic tight end that thrives at stretching the field vertically,”. said The Draft Network. “He has good speed to not only get vertical but can run away from most Sun Belt defenders. At Coastal Carolina, they lined him up in multiple different positions and he thrives at all of them. He has shown to be a natural hands-catcher and can turn up the field to be a good run after the catch option for offenses."

Green Bay Packers Position of Need: Safety, Nick Cross, Maryland

The Green Bay Packers do have Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage — although Savage is coming off a down year — but the depth of this position is a concern. It was a very up and down year for Henry Black, particularly in coverage, and there is little experience behind him.

Cross has 1,540 snaps at Maryland, taking 976 of them as the free safety along with 372 in the box, and 147 from the slot. He has totaled seven pressures, three sacks, 132 total tackles, and allowed a completion rate of 65% on 52 targets along with 13.8 yards per catch. He also has nine pass breakups and six interceptions. Cross is someone who could have a very good showing at the combine and comes with a lot of upside.

light. Related Story. Packers 5 Biggest Positions of Need Prior to Free Agency

"“Maryland used him at times as a WILL linebacker in sub and other times let him drop down into the slot—near the goal line, you often saw him stacked overtop of tight ends and asked him to use his size to match in coverage,” said Crabbs. “I think Cross is someone you can do a lot with, you just need to brush up on his angles and consistency closing in space and continue to work on his route combination recognition to help him continue to level his game up.”"

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus

Home/Green Bay Packers