It was a banner year for tight ends in the NFL draft and the Packers won't go away empty handed.
With the 75th overall pick in the third round, General Manager Brian Gutekunst selected Jace Sternberger from Texas A&M. He wasn't the household names from Iowa like first rounders T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant but Gutekunst says Sternberger stacks up very well with the next tier of tight ends entering the league.
Sternberger is just under 6-5 and weighed in at 251 pounds at the combine in February. He caught 48 passes with 10 touchdowns and averaged over 17 yards a catch for the Aggies in his junior season. That brought his college career totals to 49 receptions.
Originally enrolling at Kansas and dealing a third offensive coordinator in three years that he felt didn't match his talents, Sternberger started moving around, eventually attending three schools in four years. He went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M hoping the junior college route would get him re-recruited. That's when coach Jimbo Fischer caught wind of him and invited to Texas A&M.
Given the starting job, Sternberger flourished and caught the eyes of Packer scouts.
Co-Director of Player Personnel Jon Eric-Sullivan admits Jace is a bit of a one year wonder but he has the skill set that should mesh well with Head Coach Matt LaFleur's offense and he'll bring young blood to the tight end room and learn behind veterans Jimmy Graham and Mercedes Lewis.
Sternberger admits he's got a long ways to go with blocking requirements but can't wait to get started.
The Packers met with Jace at the combine and brought him back for a second interview earlier this month. That convinced them he's a willing and able player that will give Aaron Rodgers another young target.