The Green Bay Packers made a strategic move in the 2023 NFL draft, selecting South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft with the 78th overall pick. This move was made to provide quarterback Jordan Love with more offensive weapons and to bolster the team’s tight end position.
Kraft, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 254 pounds, has an impressive college career under his belt. With 99 catches for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns in 32 games, he is a strong addition to the Packers’ roster. Despite suffering an ankle injury in 2022, Kraft still managed to make a significant impact on the field, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Kraft recorded a 4.69 time in the 40-yard dash with a 1.59 10-yard split, while his pro day results showed a 4.62 time in the 40-yard dash and a 36½-inch vertical. These numbers indicate Kraft’s athleticism and potential as a dynamic player for the Packers.
TE Tucker Kraft Key Stats
Stat | |
---|---|
RAS | 9.68 |
Packer Report Big Board ranking | 74 |
The Athletic ranking | 71 |
Pro Football Focus ranking | 74 |
Height & Weight | 6’4″, 254 lbs |
Collegiate stats | 99 receptions, 1,211 yards, 9 TDs (32 games) |
NFL Scouting Combine 40-yard dash & 10-yard split | 4.69 sec & 1.59 sec |
Pro Day 40-yard dash & Vertical | 4.62 sec & 36½ inches |
Pairing Kraft with Luke Musgrave, another tight end addition, gives the Packers a promising outlook for their previously lackluster tight end room. The combination of these two high-upside players will offer more versatility and options for the Packers’ offense, making them a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Go pack go
— Tucker Kraft (@TuckerKraft) April 29, 2023
Wisconsin is going to love Tucker Kraft.
After he mistakenly said “Yes sir” before correcting it to “Yes ma’am,” he said: “I had a couple of drinks waiting for my name to be called.”
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) April 29, 2023
8️⃣5️⃣ @TuckerKraft #PackersDraft | @meijer pic.twitter.com/6oW4Vwo95R
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 29, 2023