Ranking the NFC North TEs, Pre-NFL Draft Edition

We've come to the second-to-last of the NFC North offensive positions, landing on the last "skill" position, the tight end.

Of course, the tight end's role is in flux these days as we're seeing more and more athletic, pass catching tight ends than ever before. Teams are also utilizing more two tight end sets more than ever before, and successfully too.

The North hasn't shifted that way completely. While there are several incredibly gifted receiving tight ends, there are several tight end groups that are less than stellar and no team which uses a two tight end set regularly.

I had a very hard time with the first two, because both are talented and face some stiff competition for balls. I know neither way is going to make anyone particularly happy. So here we go.

1) Jermichael Finley

As far as I am concerned, Finley's ceiling is higher, and that's the difference. His biggest two issues are health and distribution of wealth, otherwise known as targets. With Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones, Aaron Rodgers has a lot of mouths to feed. Before his 2010 injury, Finley was going to be the centerpiece of the offense. Now he finds himself as a productive player who is playing with many talented receivers.

He also needs to do something about his drops if he's going to get more looks from Rodgers.

2) Brandon Pettigrew

Like Finley, Pettigrew finds himself in an offense which isn't as desperate for his receiving services though does need him to block. With Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Titus Young in the house, he can get only so many targets. That said, he was targeted second most on the team, only behind Calvin Johnson.

Pettigrew will only get better as time goes on.

There's a pretty big drop off here to number three.....

3) John Carlson

Carlson arrives in Minnesota after a stint in Seattle where he ended up doing a tremendous amount of blocking due to offensive line issues. He's a much better receiver and hopefully will get a chance to show that for the Vikings. They have their own offensive line issues, and a young quarterback as well.

Carlson has to show he still is as good as his rookie year.

4) Kellen Davis

The Bears didn't use their tight ends as receivers often, but targeted them in the red zone enough for Davis to notch five touchdowns. Jay Cutler thinks Davis could be much more involved this year but given how little he's been used in his career, we don't know how good or bad a thing that is.

5) Tony Scheffler

The journeyman tight end finally found a home in Detroit, though he is stuck behind Pettigrew. Getting on in years and not as effective catching or blocking, Scheffler will continue to see his role decrease as time goes on but still has a few more years left in him.

6) Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph struggled last year and didn't generate many yards despite the fact that the Vikings needed an option besides Percy Harvin. He's been replaced by Carlson, though there is the thought that the Vikings might roll out some two tight end sets. He gets the job done, but I believe we've seen the ceiling at this point and while he may get chances, I don't expect him to do a ton with them.

There are multiple other tight ends floating around on the teams: Matt Spaeth, Tom Crabtree (a personal Twitter favorite of mine), DJ Williams and Andrew Quarless (the Packers like tight ends).

However they haven't done too much yet and their impact is pretty minimal. If one emerges this summer or fall, you know we'll talk about it then.