Tag: Tucker Kraft

New Packers TE Tucker Kraft to wear No. 85

Packers third-round pick Tucker Kraft will wear uniform No. 85.

New Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft will wear No. 85 as a rookie.

Kraft, the team’s third-round pick, wore No. 85 for all four seasons at South Dakota State.

Tucker will take the number from Robert Tonyan, who wore No. 85 for the Packers from 2018 to 2022. He left Green Bay to sign a deal with the Chicago Bears this offseason.

Among the former Packers to wear No. 85: Max McGee, Greg Jennings, Wesley Walls, Corey Bradford and Phil Epps.

First-round pick Lukas Van Ness will wear No. 90, second-round pick Luke Musgrave will wear No. 88 and second-round pick Jayden Reed will (likely?) wear No. 1.

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What draft experts said about new Packers tight end Tucker Kraft

Scouting reports from draft experts on new Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, a third-round pick in the 2023 draft.

Taking advantage of a deep tight end class, the Green Bay Packers doubled down at the position, selecting Tucker Kraft out of South Dakota State with the 78th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

The Packers believe they have gotten one of the more well-rounded tight ends in the draft as Kraft finished his college career with 99 receptions for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns while also proving to be a capable blocker.

Want to learn more about Kraft, who has a chance to follow in the same footsteps as former Jackrabbit Dallas Goedert? Here’s what several prominent draft analysts said about Kraft during the pre-draft process:

Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide): “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, the No. 49 pick 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.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “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.”

Mike Renner, Pro Football Focus (draft guide): “Kraft is a raw physical athlete who possesses all the traits evaluators are looking for in a tight end. He has an excellent combination of size and speed but can definitely improve as a route runner. His best season came in 2021, when he put up 770 receiving yards and six touchdowns en route to an 89.1 PFF receiving grade. Unfortunately, Kraft got injured earlier this season, so he was not able to play as much as a junior. Nonetheless, his upside potential is still there. Believe it or not, Kraft is a very similar tight end to Dallas Goedert, who is also a South Dakota State product.”

Bleacher Report Scouting Department: “Tucker Kraft is a bet on an NFL-ready body type with a bundle of dangerous athletic traits. At 6’5″ and 254 pounds, Kraft is a matchup problem with the way he moves. His acceleration and speed aren’t quite elite, but they’re great for a player his size. Kraft can get a step on most linebackers and will give plenty of safeties issues as well. Kraft is also a smooth mover for his size. His change of direction is effortless, especially with the ball, and he has the explosiveness to leave defenders whiffing at nothing. Kraft’s blend of size and easy athletic ability allow him to move all over the formation, finding success at multiple tight end alignments as well as wide receiver alignments. He can be a bit of a skeleton key for his future NFL offense. Kraft is also a suffocating blocker. Though there are times where he plays a bit high, he generally has the foot speed and mobility to make up for it without toppling over. Kraft’s length, strength, and physical demeanor go a long way in allowing him to win most blocks, be it versus a defensive end or a linebacker at the second level. Kraft can block both in-line and as a moving wing piece, and he’s even shown good pass-protection reps on film. Unlocking Kraft’s potential comes down to the finer parts of the pass-catching realm. As of now, he is a clunky route-runner. Kraft clearly has the movement skills to improve, but he too often moves like he’s thinking about every step he takes, which slows him down. Sharp-breaking routes often take too many steps for him to finish off and explode out of. On top of that, Kraft’s ball tracking comes and goes. His hands are good when he finds the ball well, but his hand-eye coordination can fail him when throws aren’t straight in front of his facemask. Kraft is an exciting prospect. Tight ends with his size and athletic profile are exactly what the NFL is looking for, and he’s also stepping into the pros as a ready-made blocker. Better yet, it’s reasonable to expect Kraft to improve his deficiencies as a route-runner with good coaching. Kraft should fit into any offensive system, though he would probably be best-valued in an offense that prioritizes his yards-after-catch skills.”

The Draft Network: “Tucker Kraft looks to follow in Dallas Goedert’s footsteps and be the next South Dakota State tight end to be an early draft pick. Kraft entered the season with some hype as he was extremely productive as a sophomore in 2021, producing 780 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 65 receptions. Unfortunately, Kraft suffered an ankle injury during his junior season, which knocked him out for five games, so he wasn’t able to replicate his 2021 success. That said, as a prospect, Kraft didn’t fall in my eyes. Even though Kraft went to a small school, he has top-tier physical traits. He has excellent size and is very well built, possessing a wide upper body and thick lower half. Kraft lines up all across the formation—with snaps in-line, in the slot, and outside—and is relied upon heavily both in the run and passing game. He is an excellent athlete for his size, showcasing good speed, fluidity, and short-area quickness. A productive receiver, Kraft flashes very good body control and ball skills. He is a strong and physical runner who is tough to tackle after the catch. Kraft is just an average route-runner. He is best used on short and quick routes which get the ball in his hands early. That allows him to make things happen with his athletic ability. He has above-average hands overall but will have some drops, which are a concern. In the run game, Kraft is a willing player who does flash some power at the point of attack if he wins the leverage game early. While he has strength and effort, he must improve his pad level when blocking as well as his hand placement. He certainly is a plus player in the run game and will only get better at the next level. At this point in time, Kraft is more athletic than a nuanced football player, but his skill set is easy to project at the next level. He will be a complete tight end that has the athleticism to be a high-volume pass target who can make plays on his own thanks to his run instincts and strength while also being a solid run blocker.”

33rd Team: “Kraft is a very good athlete with great size and build. He has very good speed for the position and is a fluid, effortless mover. As a receiver, he shows solid route-running ability with a good stem at the top of his routes to separate, but does not run a wide variety of routes. He has a good ability to use his size and box out smaller defenders. He has just okay hands, he has some drops, but shows good technique not allowing the ball to get in on his body. He does have the ability to make big plays with open-field speed and run after the catch ability. As a blocker, he has traits but needs a lot of work. Tucker Kraft shows a good base and strength at the point of attack but his hands are all over the place and oftentimes he plays high.”

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Instant analysis of Packers taking TE Tucker Kraft in third round of 2023 draft

Breaking down the Packers’ selection of South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft in the third round of the 2023 draft.

The Green Bay Packers used the 78th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft, who will join with Luke Musgrave to give Jordan Love two new dynamic weapons.

Here’s our instant analysis of the Packers taking Kraft in the third round:

Packers select South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft at No. 78 overall in third round of 2023 draft

The Packers selected South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft in the third round of the 2023 draft.

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

Kraft caught 99 passes for 1,218 yards and nine touchdowns over 32 games and 21 starts at South Dakota State. He was a two-time All-American. In 2021, Kraft caught 65 passes for 780 yards and six scores over 15 games. He missed six games with an ankle injury in 2022.

At the combine, Kraft run the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds, hit 34″ in the vertical leap and finished the three-cone drill in 7.08 seconds. He has 10″ hands. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.68 out of 10.0.

Kraft (6-4, 254) joins Luke Musgrave as the two tight ends drafted by the Packers on Day 2 of the draft. Together, the two fill a major roster hole for Brian Gutekunst and give Jordan Love to intriguing weapons in the passing game.

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Watch: Highlights of Packers’ Day 2 draft picks

Highlights of the Packers’ Day 2 picks: TE Luke Musgrave, WR Jayden Reed and TE Tucker Kraft.

The Green Bay Packers drafted Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, Michigan State receiver Jayden Reed and South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft during Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft.

Here are highlights for each of the Packers’ second- and third-round draft picks:

How the draft board could break in front of the Dolphins’ second-round pick

Who the teams before Miami could look at, and who they could leave them left with.

The Miami Dolphins are set to begin their 2023 NFL draft with the pick No. 51, followed by No. 84, each scheduled for Friday night. With a tight end board that remained intact minus just one player, the Dolphins are 20 picks away from landing one of the remaining top five at that particular position if they chose to go that route.

Miami could also consider an offensive lineman, with both guards and tackles potentially available, so general manager Chris Grier has a number of options.

The Pittsburgh Steelers being the second round tonight with pick No. 31, and they could be targeting a cornerback or an offensive lineman themselves. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is a homerun pick there.

Arizona, who had moved down and up the board last night, could be a candidate to move down yet again. Should they stick around, they too are a team that can go with a cornerback or the defensive side of the ball overall.

Quarterback Will Levis has been the fall story of the first round, and with a veteran in Jared Goff already in Detroit, the 34th overall slot could work for the Kentucky Wildcat. If not Detroit, the market could crash on Levis, and it’s anyone’s guess.

The Colts are at pick No. 35 and should be a team that protects their first-round pick, Anthony Richardson. What would make sense would be an offensive lineman, and what would make even more sense would be another Florida Gator. O’Cyrus Torrence could be a solid play or another lineman that the Colts could add to an already solid unit. TCU’s Steven Avila, Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron and center John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota are quality offensive linemen as well, not to mention Ohio State’s Dawand Jones and Cody Mauch out of North Dakota State.

Next up would be the Los Angeles Rams at pick No. 36, and defense could be the way to go, whether it’s a pass-rusher, linebacker or cornerback. Of the next few picks, rounding the top 40, the Raiders could select a tight end and could be a Michael Mayer or Luke Musgrave destination. Should they go with defense, it could only help Miami’s cause.

The Panthers would be wise to target a pass-catcher themselves, but a receiver could be a better play than a tight end for first overall pick Bryce Young.

If the Raiders were a team that could select one of those tight ends, the New Orleans Saints are another. Mayer, Musgrave and even blocking behemoth Darnell Washington could be candidates here for this selection. Derek Carr, now a Saint, was used to a dominant tight end in Darren Waller in Las Vegas the last few seasons.

Safely speaking, two tight ends could be gone at this point, with ten picks to go until Miami’s. Tennesee could be a secondary Levis landing spot, and if not, think skill position player here, but likely a receiver or a running back to be the heir apparent to King Derrick Henry.

Green Bay has a number of needs on offense at pick No. 45, tight end included, and could be a destination for guys like Sam LaPorta or Tucker Kraft. The Packers are a team to watch if you’re worried about this position.

At No. 46, the New England Patriots can build on a solid first round and pivot to the offensive line, following taking care of a cornerback need in round one. Avila, Bergeron, Schmitz, Jones and Mauch are names that could work for New England.

The Washington Commanders follow at pick No. 47, and yet another team could be in the tight-end market as well as an offensive lineman. This is a team that could spoil some Miami fans’ nights.

At No. 48, the Lions are up again, and with arguable reaches in round one, albeit strong prospects in Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 and Jack Campbell at No. 18, it’s anyone’s guess here. If Levis is available here and not a Lion, at this point, it’s a downfall for the record books.

The Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are each offensive line needy, so the grouping of Avila, Bergeron, Schmitz, Jones and Mauch are names to watch out for, of whom is remaining.

Then we get to the Dolphins, and, with all the names mentioned, the realistic guess would be a choice of Washington, Kraft, LaPorta or the remaining available offensive lineman, should all of these tight ends go in addition to Musgrave and Mayer.

If the top five remaining tight ends are selected, the best of the remaining blockers, perhaps Bergeron or Schmitz, could be intriguing for Miami, both able to provide help on the interior.

Those are the five names Miami should either have to choose from or be left with, in a good sense. Should all five be at their disposal, a trade down to in-between picks 56-61 could even net them an extra fourth-round pick on Day 3, and still land them one of these prospects.

Should Miami elect to trade down, the Giants, Jaguars, Bears and Cowboys are solid suitors with their draft positions. Trading up could simply cost too much, as Miami is limited in trade assets, and dealing a player could be too complicated with salary implications.

Nevertheless, Miami will be in a great position to leave the second round with a quality player who could be an immediate help to their team, or even pull a deal to even help them further down the line.

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What Day 2 mock drafts say the Jaguars will do in rounds 2 and 3

The Jaguars own the No. 56 and No. 88 picks in rounds two and three, respectively. What should they do with them?

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed a need Thursday night when they picked offensive tackle Anton Harrison with the No. 27 overall selection. There are other areas that could use help, though.

The team is still thin in the defensive backfield after cutting ties with Shaquill Griffin. While the Jaguars have a starting duo in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams, there isn’t much depth behind those two.

Jacksonville has also said improving its pass rush is “vital” and it’d make plenty of sense if the Jaguars wanted to add a tight end after allowing both Chris Manhertz and Dan Arnold to reach free agency.

In Day 2 mock drafts, experts think defensive backs and tight ends will be top priority for the Jaguars in rounds two and three:

Top remaining players on Packers big board entering Day 2

Who are the best players and fits for the Packers entering the second round? Here’s our list.

After selecting Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick the Green Bay Packers start day two of the NFL Draft in need of playmakers for Jordan Love. Luckily for Brian Gutekunst, there are still plenty of talented pass catchers, particularly at tight end on the board. 

“The board held up strong,” Gutekunst said. “I feel good about going into tomorrow.”

The Packers start the day off with the 42nd, 45th, and 78th overall picks. Let’s take a quick glimpse at the top players on my Packers Big Board. 

Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Mayer has sticky hands that catch everything thrown his way. The Packers need to set their young quarterback up for success and adding a complete tight end like Mayer seems like a no-brainer.

Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

Versatile, tough as nails, excellent in coverage, and only 21 years old. Branch would be a great addition to Green Bay’s defense and would be an instant contributor for Joe Barry’s squad. 

Joey Porter Jr, CB, Penn State

Whoa, impressive wingspan. Porter Jr is a long cornerback. The Penn State cornerback has 34-inch arms and an 80 ⅞ wingspan. 

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Traits. Bet on the traits. Ringo is an athletic freak. A former track athlete, Ringo clocked a 4.36 40. The Packers can’t go through the NFL Draft without drafting a Georgia Bulldog defensive player. Right? 

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Washington is a monster. At 6-6, 264 pounds, Washington is an imposing figure on the gridiron. He’s a people mover with his power. Washington was a high-school wide receiver and has natural pass-catching abilities. He has strong, reliable hands.

Keion White, DL, Georgia Tech

White has a unique blend of size and speed. He’s a twitched-up defensive lineman. He has a lot of power in his 6-5 frame and good length (34-inch arms).

Cody Mauch, OL, NDSU

A former tight end, Mauch is an athletic and versatile offensive lineman. He finished his career at Fargo as a 39-game starter with 37 starts coming at left tackle and two at right tackle. He has five position versatility.

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

To quote Lightning McQueen, Hyatt is speed. He’s faster than fast. He’s quicker than quick. He’s lightning. This past season, Hyatt led the Nation with 11 receptions of 40-plus yards. The former four-star recruit also had five receptions of 60-plus yards. The Volunteer wide receiver just has a different gear.

Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

Standing at 6-2, with 34-inch arms, his length goes on for days. With his length, he chokes passing windows and gives the quarterback a small window to throw into. 

Tucker Kraft, TE, SDSU

Kraft is a complete tight end. He’s a natural pass catcher and in SDSU’s run-first offense, Kraft is an exceptional blocker. He lined up in-line and in the slot while he was in Brookings. At 6-4, 254 pounds, Kraft looks every bit the part of an NFL tight end. 

Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

LaPorta is a difference-maker as a pass-catcher. LaPorta is a well-rounded tight end. He’s a moveable tight end that could line up in the slot, in-line, or even out wide. He could step in immediately and provide an impact as a security blanket for Jordan Love.

Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida

There is no denying the tools. The Gator defensive tackle has the length, power, and athleticism to develop into a dominant force along the defensive line. 

Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

If Musgrave is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the second round, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst pull the trigger on the 6-5, 253-pound tight end with 4.61 speed. 

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern

At 6-1, 282 pounds, Adebawore may be viewed as a tweener. The “undersized defensive lineman plays with a junkyard dog mentality and his motor is always running.

Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin

Benton’s calling card is his ability to two-gap. He’s a stout run defender that can clog up running lanes. He’s got a powerful frame with long arms to stack blocks. His motor is always running and gives great effort. 

Rashee Rice, WR, SMU

Rice’s trump card is his ability to turn 50-50 balls into 80-20 balls. His tape is littered with leaping grabs over defensive backs. On top of that, Rice is a YAC threat and an eager blocker. 

Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse

Bergeron finished his career at Syracuse with 39 career starts under his belt. He started eight games at right tackle and 31 games at left tackle. The Syracuse offensive tackle has all the tools to develop into a team’s left or right tackle. Some teams may kick him inside to guard.

Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

A track athlete in high school, Scott’s calling card is his speed. The Cincinnati wide receiver has an instant accelerator and track-like speed to win vertically. 

Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M

With his size, versatility, and the energy that he plays with, Johnson could be an attractive day-two target for the Packers as they search for upgrades at the safety position. 

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Spears’ trump card is his ability to make people miss and create yards after contact. He’s elusive in the open and stays balanced through contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Spears had 1,052 yards after contact this past season and forced 63 missed tackles. 

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

Brown is an outstanding athlete. It’s a big reason why he made an appearance on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list. The Illinois running back put on a show at the combine. Brown clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash with a 1.53 10-yard split. Brown’s marks in the vertical (40) and broad jump (10-7) were both the highest among running backs.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

At 6-3, 213 pounds, Tillman is a well-built wide receiver. He looks great off the bus. He uses his frame well, outmuscling defensive backs at the catch point. He has impressive body control, with the ability to make catches through contact. 

Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

Johnson is a complete back that could have transferred to another team to be the lead dog. Instead, Johnson played second fiddle to Bijan Robinson and was more than willing to do the dirty work. Johnson is a pound the table for type prospects.

Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska

Palmer, a former track athlete, won a state title in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. He set a Louisiana state meet record in the 200 with a time of 21.11. That speed was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine when Palmer clocked a 4.33 40-yard time, which was the fastest time among wide receivers. Palmer has a different gear. 

Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

The Ole Miss wide receiver has an excellent blend of size (6-1, 220 lbs) strength, and quickness. That combination makes him dangerous in space. He’s a contested catch connoisseur and outmuscles defensive backs at the catch point. With his size and strength, Mingo’s ability as a blocker will get Matt LaFleur’s attention. 

Dolphins go after TE in Touchdown Wire’s second-round mock draft

There are plenty of tight ends still available entering Day 2.

After the first round of the 2023 NFL draft came and went, the Miami Dolphins still haven’t made a selection, as they lost one first-round pick for tampering and traded away another for linebacker Bradley Chubb.

On Day 2, general manager Chris Grier has two picks at his disposal, with the first coming at No. 51. However, looking at his history surrounding draft-day trades, there’s always a chance Miami moves around the board using either other picks or players that they’re willing to part with.

Before the second round kicks off, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has released an updated mock draft that has the Dolphins selecting South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft with their first pick.

In 32 collegiate games, Kraft recorded 99 receptions for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns. He projects to have competence in both the receiving and blocking aspects of the position at the NFL level, but he’s making a big leap from FCS competition.

Entering the second round, only one tight end has been selected so far, as the Buffalo Bills nabbed Utah’s Dalton Kincaid. That leaves Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Oregon’s Luke Musgrave, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta and Georgia’s Darnell Washington available on Day 2.

Farrar has all of them except Washington going before Miami is on the clock.

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4-round NFL mock draft for the Los Angeles Chargers

Who will the Chargers select in the 2023 NFL draft? Check out this four-round mock draft prediction.

The 2023 NFL draft is less than a week away, so we are nearing the end of informing you who the Chargers could target while they’re on the clock.

With that being said, this is the final four-round mock draft before our last seven-round projections are released in a few days.