Green Bay Packers: A Scout's Take on Minnesota Tight End Maxx Williams

The Green Bay Packers have the 30th pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, which is now less than three weeks away.

While it appears the Packers will probably select a defensive player, at least based on need, don't be surprised if the Packers pick someone from the offensive side of the ball with that pick.

Why? It all depends on the draft board that Ted Thompson and the Packers have put together. It may be a case where their top-rated defensive players are already off the board.

Last year it worked out perfectly for the Packers. The top need for the team was at safety, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was the highest-rated player on their board when the Packers selected the former Alabama safety with the 21st pick of the draft.

But that may not be the case in the 2015 draft. That's why the Packers may select someone like tight end Maxx Williams of Minnesota if he is their highest-rated prospect on the board at the time.

Although Williams is coming into the NFL as a redshirt sophomore, his talent is obvious to anyone who has scouted him or seen him play.

In two years as a Gopher, Williams had 61 catches for 986 yards (16.2 average) and 13 touchdowns.

NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks said this about Williams after his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine:

"

The numbers don't jump off the page when looking back at Williams' workout, but that won't stop scouts from buzzing about his prospects as a TE1 at the next level following a strong showing on Friday. Williams was the most natural pass catcher among the tight ends, exhibiting strong hands and impressive ball skills while snatching passes from every angle. Additionally, Williams looked like a refined route runner getting in and out of cuts, validating comparisons to Kyle Rudolph and Jason Witten as a potential playmaker at the next level. Although his athletic profile falls below blue-chip standards, the fact that he posted a solid 4.37 short-shuttle time suggests he can win consistently at the next level with quickness and burst.

"

Now the Packers don't have an obvious need at the tight end position, but Williams would provide the team with something that they currently don't have at the position.

That is, a tight end who can stretch defenses deep down the seam. With both Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless, the Packers have a couple of tight ends who are pretty effective in the short and medium range areas only.

The Packers also want to see their tight ends to block efficiently when asked. Both Rodgers and Quarless had issues with their blocking in 2014, although each player improved as the year wore on.

While blocking is not the biggest strength of Williams, he has shown an effort to become a better-than-average blocker.

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to talk with NFL scout Chris Landry about Williams on 620 WDAE's Steve Dueming Show, and he gave me his take on the 6'4", 249-pound tight end.

"Maxx Williams is I think the best tight end in the draft in a year that doesn't have a lot of good tight ends," Landry said. "Very young. Very explosive. Very athletic. He's got a little bit of a Greg Olsen in him, who came out of Miami and who has been very underrated for Carolina.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"Former Bucs personnel director Jerry Angelo and Bears general manager, still regrets letting him go, because he's been a really good player.

"I think he [Williams] is more of a top of the second round value for someone, but I think he's really good."

Now depending on how the draft board looks at the time of the 30th pick for the Packers, and if Williams is still available, the Packers know that the team with the next pick in the draft, the New Orleans Saints, would have a big need for a tight end as they recently traded Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Packers would have a number of options at that time.

One, they still might select a defensive player who has a higher rating on the board than Williams.

Two, they could select Williams if he is the top-rated player on their board.

Three, they could trade back a few spots to a team like Oakland in the second round (35th pick), who also have a need for a tight end. Plus there is the connection between Thompson and the general manager of the Raiders, Reggie McKenzie.

A trade like that would net the Packers an early second round pick, along with an early fourth-round pick.

Time will tell what will happen. One never knows with Thompson. Before the 2008 NFL draft, Thompson had never traded up. Since then, he has traded up five times.

Thompson's normal modus operandi is to trade back for more picks, which he has done many, many times.

But just when you think you have Thompson figured out, he doesn't make any trades, like he did in last year's draft.

Bottom line, expect the unexpected when it's time for the Packers to make their selection at pick No. 30.