The Green Bay Packers have more pressing needs than tight end.

On defense, the front seven stands out. A three-down inside linebacker and a run-stuffing defensive linemen head the list.

Should Randall Cobb leave in free agency, wide receiver could become a bigger need than initially thought. And depending where Tramon Williams and Davon House land, cornerback could become a necessity too.

That being said, when the Packers are on the clock with the 30th pick in the first round, they could have the pick of the litter at the tight end position. And Minnesota's Maxx Williams would be awfully enticing.

"I think just the fact you're going in the first round is a great honor," said Williams at the NFL Combine. "I mean, not many people can say they're first round. Not many people can say they went in the first round and so did their father, so having an opportunity to go in the first round—it would be a moment I would remember for the rest of my life."

Williams' father, Brian, was a first round draft choice of the New York Giants in 1989, becoming a stalwart at center for a decade.

Brian Williams also played college football at Minnesota, and now son has the opportunity to follow in his father's footsteps.

NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock of the NFL Network thinks it's possible the younger Williams could go as high as the first round, but it's no guarantee.

"Maxx Williams would be the only guy from Minnesota that could be considered a late one," said Mayock. "I see him as a second round pick, but he's a good receiving tight end. Like him a lot as an athlete."

What makes Williams so intriguing, so laden with potential, is also the same thing that makes him a risky proposition, however.

Just 20 years old, Williams was one of the few underclassmen to declare for the draft as a redshirt sophomore and remains somewhat of an unknown quantity.

Even Williams admits his age and the notion that he hasn't physically matured yet can be a drawback, but it comes with a caveat.

"I would say my biggest weakness is my strength," said Williams. "Being only 20 years old knowing that my body's not fully developed into what it could develop into is a strength. But I feel like my biggest weakness could turn into one of my strengths, as I turn 21, 22, and get those years and experience in the weight room developing my body."

Even though Williams' calling card won't be as an in-line blocker, he at least got experience doing so in a power-oriented offense at Minnesota, blocking for running back David Cobb. It would actually work to Williams' benefit when the Gophers would run play-action, setting him up with mismatches in coverage.

In 2014, Williams caught 36 passes for 569 yards and eight touchdowns, the most impressive of which came in Minnesota's bowl game.

Even though the Gophers lost to Missouri in the Citrus Bowl, Williams made a highlight-reel reception that gained nationwide attetion when he hurdlded two defenders along the sideiine en route to the end zone.

Williams' time of 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Combine left something to be desired from a player considered a potential first-round talent, but it was hardly enough for personnel evaluators to downgrade him.

Despite the concerns, it's entirely possible that any team willing to spend a draft choice on Williams will be getting the next Jeremy Shockey or Jason Witten, whom the Minnesota tight end tries to emulate.

"He's a complete tight end in my opinion," said Williams of Witten. "He blocks. He runs routes. He makes plays for his team. That's what I want to be. I want to go to the NFL and be a complete tight end and make plays with my hands but also in the run game by making complete blocks."

The Packers may have invested a year into developing Richard Rodgers in 2014, but getting a player the caliber of Witten would be difficult to pass up. Wiliams has the ability to stretch the seam that Rodgers just doesn't have.

Drafting Williams wouldn't be writing off Rodgers, however. Each player could play to their strengths with Williams getting downfield and Rodgers softening the underbelly of a defense.

An NFL offense with two capable tight ends can be lethal as the Packers found out in 1996 and 1997 when they had Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson, a combination that helped them win Super Bowl XXXI.

The Packers have done their due diligence, using one of their 60 allotted formal interviews at the Combine meeting with Williams, but they're not the only ones. Williams estimated he had formal meetings with 21 different teams in Indianapolis.

Even though he played his college football in Minnesota, Williams said he wouldn't let the border rivalry taint an opportunity to play for the Packers.

"It's an opportunity to play in the NFL, and it doesn't matter who it is," said Williams. "You're living your dream."

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].