Packers By Position: A dynamic tight end duo may be formed by Musgrave and Kraft.

This is the third installment of a nine-part series that looks at the offseason strategy, strengths, and weaknesses of the Green Bay Packers at every position. Part 1 focused on the quarterbacks for Green Bay, and Part 2 looked at the running backs.

We examine the tight ends today.

AIMING RETURNED

Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, the rookie tandem, are the Packers’ best hope for success.

With 34 receptions, Musgrave matched Bubba Franks’ team mark for most catches by a rookie tight end (2000). Only Franks (363) and Kraft (355) have amassed more receiving yards by a rookie tight end than Musgrave (352).

Musgrave, a second-round selection in the April draft, missed six games because of a lacerated kidney, but he still finished fourth on the team in receptions. It’s impossible to predict how high his stats could have climbed if he had been able to play the entire season.

During the season, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Musgrave, “He’s a guy that we have a lot of faith in and I think he’s going to continue to grow.” It will involve a process. It won’t happen right away. We all want things done quickly, I suppose, but he’s one of those guys that, in my opinion, gets better every time we go out there. He seems to love the game, and he’s highly knowledgeable and coachable. He’s also very deliberate and concentrated. Thus, coaching a guy like that is enjoyable.

Regarding Kraft, the same is true.

During training camp, the South Dakota State third-round draft pick appeared confused at times. By season’s end, Kraft had become a formidable figure.

Following Musgrave’s injury in Week 11, Kraft took off, finishing the season with 355 receiving yards. That was only surpassed by Franks (363 in 2000) as the most by a rookie tight end in franchise history.

In addition, Kraft had 31 catches in his final game, third only to Franks and Musgrave (both 34) among rookie tight ends in team history.

It took until Week 4 for Kraft to receive his first reception of the season. However, Kraft had 29 receptions for 321 yards and two scores in his previous eight games.

Packers offensive coach Adam Stenavich described Kraft’s early success as “largely just assignment stuff, lining up in the right spot, getting off on the right snap count, blocking the right guy, and then after that, like using good technique and all that stuff.” In terms of the essential core problems you have, he was therefore a little behind in that regard.

But as soon as he began to grasp the situation, it became evident that he was very talented. A meritorious one. With the way he prepares himself, I’m not sure if any guy works harder behind the scenes than he does. As one of those kids for whom everything is really, really important, he spends a lot of time in the film room and asks (position) coach John Dunn questions all the time.

The majority of the time, veteran Josiah Deguara (eight catches, 65 yards) played fullback, and Ben Sims (5-26), a rookie, is a block first tight end. After breaking his ACL in the first preseason game, Tyler Davis was sidelined for the entire campaign.

LOOKING AHEAD

The thought of pairing Musgrave and Kraft together the next few seasons should have the offensive coaches buzzing.

The 6-foot-6, 253-pound Musgrave is a rare physical specimen who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds. His ability to stretch the field is remarkably unique.

Kraft (6-4 ½, 254) runs well himself (4.73) and has the ability to become an elite blocker. He’s also strong as an ox, something he proved at the 2023 NFL Combine when he tied for the most bench press reps (23) of 225 pounds among last year’s tight end group.

Kraft played just 56.7% of the snaps in 2023, while Musgrave played 42.70%. Barring injury, both will be on the field far more in 2024 and could have tremendous seasons.

“Having two reliable tight end threats would be fantastic, especially if you could rotate your personnel and still be able to run the ball and pose a vertical threat down the field at any time,” Stenavich remarked. It’s excellent for us to have those two players on the field making plays because that’s always big. It expands your options greatly in terms of the various actions you can take with certain persons.

Deguara, a 2020 third-round draft selection, has spent his four seasons in Green Bay playing tight end and fullback, doing whatever is required of him. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and most likely play elsewhere.

Sims is a blue-collar worker who merits closer examination. Davis can return on a team-friendly contract, but he also becomes an unrestricted free agency.

OFFSEASON PLAN

Although the Packers have eleven draft picks, their needs are not particularly high on tight end. Therefore, if Green Bay brings someone in, it’s probably going to be a third-round draft pick.

If not, the strategy will be to find more opportunities for Kraft and Musgrave to snap together and devise plans to get them onto the field.

In 1996, Keith Jackson and Mark Chmura of Green Bay were the best tight end duo in the previous thirty years. Jackson grabbed 40 passes for 10 touchdowns that season, while Chmura was one of the best blockers in the NFL with 28 receptions.

The Musgrave-Kraft combination could undoubtedly outperform Jackson and Chmura in 2024.

Playing with Kraft will “meld really well,” Musgrave said. “I’m very looking forward to it. Although we are undoubtedly different players, I believe we will get along great. It’s incredibly exciting because, in my opinion, we cover everything.