After coming close last week, Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Tucker Kraft scored his first NFL touchdown on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions.
The opportunity for Kraft to find the end zone began with the play design and call by Matt LaFleur. The majority of Kraft’s snaps this season have come as a blocker with 121 blocking snaps this season compared to 84 where he has ran routes, according to PFF.
From a formation that the Packers have run out of often this season, Kraft began as a blocker, engaging with Lions edge rusher. He then slipped out into the flat where there wasn’t a Detroit defender close by, setting up the easy score.
TD for @TuckerKraft!#GBvsDET | #GoPackGo
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Tkok1WWMht
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 23, 2023
Without Luke Musgrave available, Kraft has a tremendous opportunity in front of him as TE1 in the offense. When asked how or if the gameplan would change without Musgrave, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said that Kraft wouldn’t be asked to do everything that Musgrave did, but the game plan would remain relatively unchanged.
Kraft’s ability as a blocker has steadily improved throughout the course of the season. Where he was at his best in college was picking up yards after the catch, something we saw from him on his reception against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I think every week he’s been getting better and better and better,” said Stenavich on Tuesday. “He’s gotten more playing time and more opportunities. It’s going to be really cool seeing him take the reins and be the guy.”
The touchdown gave the Packers a 14-6 lead over the Lions in the first quarter.