Tag: Tucker Kraft

Opportunity awaits: Packers will lean on rookie tight end duo

The Packers are all-in on Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft as the tight end duo of the present and future.

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As it stands right now, the Green Bay Packers will be relying heavily this season on rookie tight ends, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis are the only two experienced tight ends on the depth chart and that seasoned duo has combined for 48 career receptions.

Enter the speed and playmaking ability of the two rookie tight ends. The Packers selected Musgrave with the 42nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It marked the highest the Packers have selected a tight end in the draft since selecting Bubba Franks with the 14th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Brian Gutekunst followed that up by selecting Kraft with the 78th overall pick. 

With snaps up for grabs, it’s safe to assume that Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff will throw the two dynamic tight ends into the deep end of the pool and see if they can swim. 

“Certainly, they both look the part,” Matt LaFleur said. “They checked all those boxes.”

History suggests that the duo will face an uphill climb and won’t be betting favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. In NFL History, only five rookie tight ends have caught 60 or more passes in a season. 

“There’s just so much that you have to do,” LaFleur said. “So much knowledge that you have to acquire in terms of your responsibility in the running game and the passing game.” 

The old saying goes, “rookie tight ends take time.” Let’s take a look at the rookie production of some recent tight ends that have been drafted in the Top 78 picks. 

  • Trey McBride – 29 receptions/265 yards/one touchdown – 16 games.
  • Jelani Woods – 25 receptions/312 yards/three touchdowns – 15 games
  • Kyle Pitts – 68 receptions/1,026 yards/one touchdown – 17 games
  • Pat Freiermuth – 60 receptions/497 yards/seven touchdowns – 16 games
  • Cole Kmet – 28 receptions/243 yards/two touchdowns – 16 games

Not great Bob. Now, not every situation is the same. Aside from Pitts and Freiermuth, none of these tight ends were full-time starters during their rookie campaigns. That’s not going to be the case for Musgrave and Kraft, who will be given every opportunity to make plays this season.  

If Musgrave would have been healthy this past fall, the Oregon State product could have been the first tight end off the board in a loaded class that saw nine tight ends go off the board in the first three rounds. 

In two games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Musgrave hauled in 11 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. Despite only playing in two games and finishing his collegiate career with just 47 passes, Musgrave was the fourth tight end off the board, in big part because of the athletic tools that he possesses.

“He’s different,” LaFlauer said. “He’s a really, really intelligent player…He hasn’t made the same mistake twice.”

While Musgrave will be a size, speed threat, Kraft will help bring YAC back to Green Bay’s offense. The South Dakota State University product and former running back at Timber Lake High School racked up 614 yards over the catch the past two seasons (PFF). 

“Tucker is very good with the ball in his hands after the catch,” Gutekunst said. “I think he has really good balance and strength to break tackles.”

It would take quite the season from Musgrave or Kraft for either one of them to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Even with snaps and targets up for grabs, neither one of them are likely to have a monster season. 

However, it’s not out of the question for Musgrave to put together a season similar to Freiermuth’s rookie season. Freiermuth hauled in 60 receptions and averaged 8.3 yards per reception. It’s realistic to think that with his speed and playmaking ability that Musgrave could haul in 45 to 50 receptions and put up more yardage than Freiermuth (497). 

As for Kraft, look at McBride’s production during his rookie season. Kraft will likely play second fiddle to his rookie counterpart and a season of 25 to 30 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns. 

Regardless of the numbers that Musgrave and Kraft put up during their rookie campaigns, it’s all about getting better each day. 

“That’s the biggest struggle for any rookie, transitioning in the NFL,” Kraft said. “Being consistently better, getting better at one thing every single day.”

NFC North Roundtable: Player to avoid in dynasty fantasy football leagues

Our NFC North wire editors answered the question of which player you should avoid in dynasty fantasy football leagues.

The Chicago Bears are building around Justin Fields, the Detroit Lions are entering the season as betting favorites to win the division, the Green Bay Packers are transitioning from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love and the Minnesota Vikings are attempting to repeat as division champs for the first time since 2008-09.

There’s a lot going on in the NFC North this season.

In the latest of a series of posts previewing the division ahead of the 2023 season, Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, Zach Kruse of Packers Wire and Tyler Forness of Vikings Wire answered the question: What player should you avoid in dynasty fantasy football leagues?

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Five NFL offenses that will be radically different in 2023

In this week’s Xs and Os, Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar discuss five NFL offenses that will be very different in 2023.

You can listen all you want to coaches telling you how they want things to do on the field, but if you really want to know what it all means, take a sharp look at what teams do, as opposed to what they say. Teams will tell you everything you need to know about their desires to change things about their schemed based on differences in personnel and coaching as the offseason progresses. When new coaches are hired as the previous season comes down, and then new players are added through free agency and the draft, that’s where all the puzzle pieces begin to assemble.

In this week’s edition of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” Greg (of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup), and Doug (of Touchdown Wire), get into five offenses that, based on changes in coaching and personnel, will look radically different in 2023 than they did in 2022.

You can watch “The Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the Xs and Os podcast on Spotify:

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The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can ease Jordan Love’s transition

New Packers tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can ease Jordan Love’s NFL transition. Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar explain what the rookies can do.

Last season, per Sports Info Solutions, the Green Bay Packers ranked ninth in the NFL with 131 dropbacks with two tight ends on the field. They lost Robert Tonyan to the Bears in free agency, but made up for it in the draft with the second-round selection of Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave, and the third-round selection of South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft. Last season, Jordan Love completed one pass to a tight end for four yards, so not a lot of guidance there. But how will Musgrave and Kraft make Love’s life easier as he takes over that passing game? 

Overall in 2022, the Packers ranked ninth in the league with 131 dropbacks with two tight ends, and mostly Aaron Rodgers completed 92 of 127 passes for 975 yards, 478 air yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 108.9. So, it’s clear that Matt LaFleur wants the two-tight end concepts in his passing game, and that should help his young quarterback.

In this week’s episode of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” Greg (of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup) and Doug (of Touchdown Wire) discuss how Green Bay’s two new tight ends, and their interesting skill sets, should make things easier and more productive for Jordan Love.

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Rookie Tucker Kraft brings much-needed YAC to Packers TE room

In Tucker Kraft, the Packers will finally have a tight end who break tackles and gain yards after the catch.

The Green Bay Packers selected South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft in the third round of this year’s draft. The addition of Kraft will provide this Packers offense with some much-needed yards after the catch (YAC) ability at the tight end position.

During the 2022 season, Kraft dealt with some injuries and had just 29 targets, however, on his receptions, he averaged a whopping 8.0 yards after the catch. To put that into perspective, at the FBS level, this would’ve been tied for the highest rate in all of college football among tight ends. Also of note, in just 21 receptions, Kraft forced nine missed tackles.

For a larger sample size, during the 2021 season, Kraft had 59 receptions and averaged 5.8 yards after the catch, totaling 345 yards after the catch. Again, for reference, this would have been the sixth-highest total at the FBS level that season.

In part, Kraft’s dynamic ability with the ball in his hands comes from his athleticism. In what was a very deep and athletic tight end class, Kraft posted the fifth highest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of the entire group at 9.68. But on top of that, he brings physicality to the tight end position as well, and isn’t afraid to run through defenders either.

“I will say, Tucker is very good with the ball in his hands after the catch,” said Brian Gutekunst after Day 2 of the draft. “He’s a really good basketball player coming out of high school. I think he has really good balance and strength to break tackles to keep himself alive.”

Picking up yards after the catch was an element that the Packers’ tight end room was missing during the 2022 season. Overall, Robert Tonyan average just 8.9 yards per catch, which ranked 34th out of 43 eligible tight ends. His average of 4.6 yards after the catch was around the middle of the pack, ranking 22nd according to PFF, but to a degree, that was also a product of Matt LaFleur being able to get Tonyan the ball in space. It wasn’t often that Tonyan was making defenders miss in the open field. On 53 receptions, he broke just three tackles.

Josiah Deguara, and Marcedes Lewis, meanwhile, combined for just 19 receptions throughout the entire 2022 season. Tonyan was the only true pass-catching threat at the position, and although reliable, he was limited.

Although Kraft’s YAC ability is perhaps one of the more noticeable aspects of his game, Gutekunst routinely complemented Kraft, as well as Luke Musgrave, and his ability to be an “all-around” tight end who impacts both the passing game and the run game. Having this skill set will help open up the playbook for LaFleur as that versatility at the tight end position will add some unpredictability which ultimately will help keep defenses off-balance.

As I wrote about recently, the transition from college to the NFL for tight ends is a very challenging one due to all of the responsibilities that come with this role. But with LaFleur’s ability to scheme players open and Kraft’s ability to line up in the slot where he can be a mismatch, the opportunity to get him the ball quickly and in space should result in some easy completions for Jordan Love and potentially explosive plays for the offense.

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Green Bay Packers 2023 third-round pick: TE Tucker Kraft

The Green Bay Packers selected South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft with the 78th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft with the 78th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Height: 6-5
Weight: 254
Age: 22
From: Timber Lake, SD

Breakdown: Dual-threat pass-catcher and blocker who did a little bit of everything at SDSU. Looks the part at 6-5 and over 250 pounds. Nearly as athletic as Luke Musgrave. Caught 99 passes and was a two-time All-American. Tough, aggressive player whether he’s blocking or running after the catch. Legitimate Y tight end potential at the next level.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 10, SDSU TE Tucker Kraft

Brugler’s scouting report: “A three-year starter at South Dakota State, Kraft was a hybrid tight end (inline, wing and slot) in the Jackrabbits’ balanced offense. After passing on lucrative NIL offers from programs like Alabama, he returned to Brookings in 2022 for what NFL scouts expected to be his breakout season, but an ankle injury in the first quarter of the opener vs. Iowa curtailed that plan (he still returned and helped the program win the 2022 FCS National Championship). As a pass catcher, Kraft is an outstanding catch-and-go creator with fluid adjustment skills and balanced feet. As a blocker, he might not be polished, but he gets after it with the body control and desire to sustain and finish blocks. Since 1976, South Dakota State has only produced two top-100 draft picks and both were tight ends (Dallas Goedert No. 49 overall in 2018 and Steve Heiden No. 69 in 1999) – Kraft should be the third. Overall, Kraft needs development time to refine his route running and blocking techniques, but he is big, strong and athletic with the ball skills and blocking tenacity to evolve into an NFL starter. His play style and talent are reminiscent of Foster Moreau.”

Zierlein’s scouting report: “Combination tight end with the projectable skill set to handle pass-catching and run-blocking duties at the next level. Currently, he’s a more effective blocker in space than in-line, but that is correctable with better hand usage and proper angles of entry into his base blocks. Kraft provides formational versatility that will be appealing for teams that make heavy use of 12 personnel (two tight ends). He has the body control and catch toughness to be more than just a traditional Y tight end. Kraft has Day 2 talent and should see the field early with a chance to become a TE1.”

They said it: “Tucker is very good with the ball in his hands after the catch…I think he has really good balance and strength to break tackles and keep himself alive. I think these guys can do everything you ask a tight end to do in the NFL.” — GM Brian Gutekunst

South Dakota State profile

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Highlights

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Packers rookies Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft add new element at TE with ‘all around’ skill sets

Gutekunst on tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft: “They’re both all-around tight ends that can kind of do everything.”

When Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst discussed tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, he mentioned Musgrave’s vertical ability and Kraft’s YAC ability.

If you’ve watched either player, those aspects of their games leap off the screen. Musgrave ran an impressive 4.61-second 40-yard dash, while Kraft averaged a whopping 8.0 yards after the catch in 2022. However, while those dynamic elements are needed in this Packers offense, what Gutekunst kept going back to when discussing each player following Day 2 of the draft was their well-rounded skill sets.

“They’re both all-around tight ends that can kind of do everything,” said Gutekunst following Day 2. “They’re not pigeonholed into being a receiving tight end or a blocking tight end. They both have very good size, very good speed. So I’m excited. I think they’ve got their best football ahead of them for different reasons. They will complement each other and be a good fit with the guys we have.”

With how the Green Bay tight end room was set up last season, they did not have a player with that truly well-rounded skill set on the roster, or at least the Packers didn’t utilize them in that capacity. Robert Tonyan was the only true pass-catching threat at the position. Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara, meanwhile, were used primarily as blockers.

Not that Tonyan wasn’t asked to block or that Lewis and Deguara weren’t running routes, but they all had relatively defined roles. This took away that element of unpredictability — or the illusion of complexity — that the Matt LaFleur offense is trying to achieve. In order to do so, versatility is key.

But when you add a tight end to the mix — let alone two — who can be an effective pass catcher and run blocker, it will open up the playbook for LaFleur, providing him with more flexibility as a play caller and better keep defenses off-balance. Not only will this benefit Musgrave and Kraft, but it will also create opportunities for others within the Packers’ offense and, hopefully, make things easier for Jordan Love.

“We’ve talked about it before,” said Gutekunst, “just how much Matt and his staff are able to do and like those guys. The flexibility of being able to have multiple tight ends. I really like this whole group now. We have a couple young players with a lot to prove. Josiah (Deguara) and Tyler (Davis) coming back. I really like the group now, and it’s going to be interesting to see how Matt and his staff use those guys. If you have interchangeable guys, it makes it easier, and I think these two have the potential to do that.”

Both Musgrave and Kraft have over 500 career run-blocking snaps from their time in college. Although perhaps known more so for their impact as pass catchers, Gutekunst would categorize each as above-average blockers, and perhaps most importantly, they are more than willing to take on that blocking role and can be successful because of their size and physicality.

Given the state of the Packers’ tight end room, both Kraft and Musgrave are going to step into large roles right away. Green Bay won’t have the luxury to bring them along slowly. With all of the responsibilities that come with being an NFL tight end, many struggle as rookies, and we should be prepared for ups and downs with Musgrave and Kraft.

However, if both can make strides and improve as the season progresses, it will unlock an element in this offense that was missing in 2022, benefitting both the running and passing games.

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Watch: Third-round pick Tucker Kraft gets the call from Packers

Watch South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft get the call from the Packers in the third round of 2023.

The Green Bay Packers used the 78th overall pick in the 2023 draft to select South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft.

His wait to be drafted ended when the Packers gave him a call in the third round on Friday night, creating an emotional moment at his draft party in Timber Lake, South Dakota.

“I am just ready to rep that green and yellow,” Kraft said on the phone while talking to someone in Green Bay.

Here’s when Kraft got the call, via the South Dakota State football account on Twitter:

Here’s another video from the party:

Both videos end with a massive celebration at the party when Kraft’s name is announced on the live broadcast.

Kraft caught 99 passes at South Dakota State. He was a two-time All-American and a one-time national champion. In Green Bay, Kraft will team with second-round pick Luke Musgrave and give the Packers a dynamic pair of tight ends.

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Breaking down Packers’ three Day 2 picks in 2023 draft

Taking a closer look at Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft, the Packers’ trio of draft picks on Day 2.

The Green Bay Packers completely transformed the team’s pass-catching weaponry by picking two tight ends and a wide receiver on Friday night of the 2023 draft.

At picks No. 42, No. 50 and No. 78, the Packers selected tight end Luke Musgrave, receiver Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft, respectively.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Packers’ three Day 2 picks:

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Packers surround Jordan Love with help during Day 2 of 2023 draft

In three picks on Friday night, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst transformed the weapons around first-year QB Jordan Love.

“Help Jordan Love Day” was a big success for the Green Bay Packers on Friday of the 2023 NFL draft.

A day after getting Lukas Van Ness to check the box at edge rusher, the Packers spent three consecutive Day 2 picks on pass-catchers, including a pair of dynamic tight ends.

The picks:

Second round, 42nd overall: TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Second round, 50th overall: WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
Third round, 78th overall: TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

In one day, Brian Gutekunst transformed a lacking group of weapons into a young, deep, potential-filled collection of players who can grow together with Love over the next two or three years.

“It’s important for those guys to grow together,” Gutekunst said on Friday night. “We’re excited for their growth. Now I think we have a good nucleus of guys, pass-catchers, to grow with the quarterback, I think that’s important.”

Musgrave is a 98th percentile athlete who can be an immediate vertical threat and seam-stretcher. Reed caught over 200 passes in the Big Ten and has 4.37 speed. Kraft is a 96th percentile athlete who caught 99 passes and has inline tight end qualities.

Gutekunst believes Musgrave and Kraft can both be “all-around” receiving threats and inline blockers, and Reed fits as an big-play deep threat who can play on the perimeter and in the slot and also provide a dangerous element on punt returns.

In terms of pass-catchers on the roster, Musgrave, Reed and Kraft will join Chrisitan Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure and Bo Melton, all 2022 draft picks. While lacking in experience, there’s now no lack of talent, especially considering what the Packers have already built at running back with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.

The Packers took advantage of a deep and talented tight end class by snagging two of the top six at the position, and the team was willing to break tendency a bit on Reed in a smaller class of wide receivers. The end result was a very good day for Jordan Love.

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