Intrigued by TE Brandon Bostick's receiving ability — he finished with 136 receptions for 1,935 yards with 19 touchdowns — the Packers developed the college WR on the practice squad in 2012 and then bumped him up to the 53-man roster in 2013 when he caught seven passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. The blocking has been up and down. And Bostick couldn't quite perfect the seam route, key for whoever wins the No. 1 job. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will thread that needle between the linebacker and safety.
Coach Mike McCarthy said last week that Bostick must be consistent.
"His body type is definitely a challenge for the opponent with some of the things he's able to do," McCarthy said, "particularly his ability to get down the field in coverage. So I think he definitely took a step last year and I'd like to see him do the same."
During the final week, Bostick pulled down a touchdown pass on a fade route over rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, a play that instantly brought back visions of veteran Jermichael Finley. True, Bostick is strikingly similar to the tight end still awaiting medical clearance.
Yet even Bostick agreed with McCarthy on the consistency, saying he needs to make plays like this one "every play... every time."
Whoever wins the Packers TE1 job will be fantasy relevant in 2014. Richard Rodgers looked great in offseason activities, but Bostick is athletic and can run, so if he can prove he can block, he will be in the mix to start as well.
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