In major need of TE help, Packers meet w/ top 4 prospects
By Paul Bretl

The tight end position has to be addressed this offseason by the Green Bay Packers. So it’s no surprise that at the NFL Combine, they have met with three of the top prospects in this year’s class.
Through various reports, the Packers have had meetings so far with Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, Georgia’s Darnell Washington, and Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave.
On Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, he has Kincaid as the top tight end and the 10th overall prospect. Mayer is his second-rated tight end and 22nd overall player, while Darnell Washington is third and ranks 24th among the class. Musgrave, meanwhile, is the fourth-ranked tight end, according to Jeremiah, and 41st overall.
The current state of the Packers’ tight end room is in need of both depth and playmaking. At the moment, Josiah Deguara is the only tight end on the roster with any sort of NFL experience, and he is actually more of an H-back. As far as playmaking goes, Robert Tonyan was the only true-pass-catching option in 2022, and although reliable, he averaged just 8.9 yards per catch, one of the lower averages at the position in 2022.
In search of ways that this Green Bay offense can become more dynamic this season, an added playmaking threat at tight end is a great start. Many of this year’s playoff teams in both the AFC and NFC had tight ends that played key roles in their respective passing games.
"“Right now, we only have a couple of tight ends coming back from last year,” said Gutey of the tight end position while at the Combine via Packers Wire. “So there’s some holes there. Those guys either have to step into those roles and fill them, or we’re going to have to look other places.”"
Each of these top four tight ends would bring a different element to the Packers’ offense. Kincaid was the most refined pass-catcher, catching 66 of 87 passes in 2022 at 12.9 yards per catch while lining up primarily in the slot. He ranked first among all tight ends in YAC and yards per route run.
Mayer brings a more balanced skill set, grading out as the fourth-best run-blocking tight end, according to PFF, but also having 101 targets this past season. He is someone who won’t test as well athletically as Kincaid or Musgrave.
Speaking of Musgrave, his 2022 season was cut short due to injury, but he was off to a fast start and on his way to a breakout season, averaging 15-plus yards per catch. He also has ample run blocking experience and is expected to impress at the Combine. Washington, meanwhile, fits the mold of the traditional in-line blocking tight end, listed at 6’7″ – 270 pounds. He also caught 25 passes for 403 yards in 2022.
While spending an early-round draft pick on the position feels like a must, so does bringing in a free agent as well. The transition from college to the NFL for tight ends, in particular, often takes time, given the need to be both a sound blocker and pass-catcher. Rarely do we see a significant impact in that first season. A veteran, such as Tonyan, could provide some stability to the position as the rookie navigates that steep learning curve.
Typically, tight end has not been a position that the Packers have valued in the first or even the second round; however, that could all change this offseason, given the need and the importance of having a dynamic presence in today’s NFL offenses.