Packers Tight End Preview
To start things off, I'll be making a list of who the tight ends are for the Packers, including years in the league and jersey number.
#49 Casey Pierce (1)
#80 Justin Perillo (3)
#82 Richard Rodgers (3)
#85 Mitchell Henry (1)
#86 Kennard Backman (2)
#89 Jared Cook (8)
This is an underrated group in my opinion, and that starts off with Richard Rodgers, who has received quite a bit of criticism despite having a good season last year. Or, do people think that 58 receptions, 500+ yards and 8 touchdowns is a bad season because Rob Gronkowski tripled that? Rodgers is a good player, and I'll admit, he's not great, but he's not as bad as people think he is. He's a lock to make the team barring injury, and speaking of that, new TE Jared Cook is one of six Packers on the PUP list. Cook is one of those guys who supposedly has talent, but never has had a good quarterback to get him the ball. Since he is one of the 3 players general manager Ted Thompson has brought in via free agency since winning Super Bowl 45, I believe Cook is also a lock to make the roster if he's healthy.
Let's assume Cook is healthy, is this all the Packers need at tight end? Maybe, but these guys aren't the best blockers and it helps to have depth in case of injury (Jared Cook). Out of the four remaining guys, Justin Perillo is probably the one who makes the team. After joining the team midseason, Perillo wasn't great, only 11 receptions and 100 yards and his first NFL touchdown, but he was solid and showed flashes. Kennard Backman was a recent draft pick by the Packers, and despite being on the roster the entire season, he never saw the field offensively. Maybe they keep him around to let him show his skillset and let Perillo go, but I'm betting on just the three tight ends, since they have more depth at wide receiver. If Cook is hurt, they likely keep Backman as well. Mitchell Henry and Casey Pierce are merely practice squad bodies and Hall of Fame Game players.
So, here are the 3 tight ends, plus Jared Cook, who will make the roster if Cook is not ready for the season. Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo and Kennard Backman.
