Packers by position: Tight end 

Once again this April, the Press-Gazette will provide a pre-draft breakdown of the Packers roster at each position by beat writer Rob Demovsky. This will lead up to the start of Pete Doughertys annual position-by-position draft series on April 21.

Tight end

What they have

Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree, Spencer Havner

Position analysis

Finley is expected to be fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his season in Week 5. What the Packers will have to figure out is how to integrate him back into the offense without disrupting what quarterback Aaron Rodgers developed with his receivers, specifically Greg Jennings, after Finley went down. No doubt, Finley will again have a major role in the offense like before he was hurt (21 catches, 301 yards, one touchdown in four games). Hes too athletic not to feature. Quarless possesses many of the same attributes but like Finley as a rookie, he didnt have much of an impact last season. But the Packers believe the skills are there to do so. Crabtree carved out a nice niche for himself as the best in-line blocker of the group and as a core special teamer, but hes also got decent hands and size. Havner, a former cast off who was brought back in mid-season, played in only one game last season before getting hurt. The Packers dumped veteran Donald Lee after the season.

The future

As much as coach Mike McCarthy likes to feature athletic, receiving tight ends in his offense, it wouldnt be a total surprise to see the Packers add another playmaker to this group. But Finley is a budding star, and Quarless could be, too. Crabtree will be hard to beat out because of his unheralded contributions. Tight ends arent going to flood the first couple of rounds of this draft.

This is the second in a position-by-position series evaluating the Green Bay Packers needs entering the 2011 draft.

TIGHT END

Need level: Moderate

On the roster: Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree and Spencer Havner

Outlook: On paper, this group can be outstanding. Finley has a chance to blossom into the best tight end in the game. Hes definitely hungry enough; he just needs to stay healthy. His knee will be full strength come training camp and he should be an integral part of the offense, but probably not as prominent as the beginning of 2010. He needs to be used in conjunction with the receivers, not instead of them. The coaches put a lot of trust in Quarless and he didnt offer much in return. Still, he can run, has blocking skills and should get stronger with time. But GM Ted Thompson cant sit around and wait to see if Quarless develops because theres a very good chance that after this year Finley will demand truckloads of money the Packers arent willing to deliver. So, they have to think about the future even in a year where quality tight ends are scarce at the top of the draft. It doesnt mean they have to reach, but they do have to think about it. Crabtree and Havner are solid specialists who play well on special teams, but the Packers can do better.

Eye-opening stat: After Finley went down in Week 5, tight ends combined for just 34 catches for 336 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 games or roughly 13% of the teams receptions during that span.

Whats available: Forget the first round. Not a single tight end may go there. The Packers will keep an eye on Wisconsins Lance Kendricks (6-3, 243 pounds, 4.68 seconds in the 40) in the second round. They loved his workout at UWs pro day and might grab him if for some reason he slides down to their spot. But dont count on it. After Kendricks, Nevadas Virgil Green (6-3 , 249, 4.56) fits the receiving-type the Packers like, but they would have to take him in the second round as well. Its more likely they would go for USCs Jordan Cameron (6-5, 254, 4.56) in the fourth, possibly with their compensatory pick. As much as people would like to fantasize about having Kendricks or Green, it may be that Thompson winds up taking a developmental guy like Florida Atlantics Rob Housler in the mid-to-late rounds or addresses the spot with an undrafted free agent like Idahos Daniel Hardy, a converted receiver.

Bottom line: Thompson will have the option of slapping the franchise tag on Finley next year if he needs to, but good luck getting him into camp with a one-year deal worth $6 to $7 million. Thats why he has to look ahead. Coach Mike McCarthy loves receiving tight ends and would love to add another one, but it probably would come at the cost of drafting a quality left tackle or pass-rushing linebacker. So, expect Thompson to think about adding someone in the middle rounds, and then, if not successful, filling it late or with a free agent.