If organized team activities and minicamp are any indication -- and considering they are practices in shorts and helmets, they may not be -- it would appear rookie Richard Rodgers might have the inside track. His size (6-foot-4, 257 pounds) and athleticism stood out during the offseason practices. At least once a practice, he made an eye-catching play in the passing game, and coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers at the conclusion of minicamp this week that "if there was one thing that jumped off for a rookie in the offseason program, I would say he was very productive." Now, he got more reps because returning starter Andrew Quarless did not practice at all this offseason, but Rodgers took advantage. He will have to show that he can be an effective blocker once the pads come on in training camp, but at this point he might be in the lead.
Even though rookie TEs don't often make an impact, whoever starts for the Packers will be fantasy relevant (i.e. TE2-type). The Packers don't mind starting a blocking-deficient tight end, though the running game is gaining importance with the arrival of Eddie Lacy.
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