Tucker Kraft's Breakout Overshadowed Another Packers Offensive Weapon

Last year, Tucker Kraft took over as the Green Bay Packers’ top tight end, catching 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. He became one of Jordan Love’s most reliable targets and earned fan-favorite status thanks to his unfiltered personality and on-field energy. He even had me posting High School Musical memes every time he scored.

Kraft was a bright spot in a receiving corps that finished with the third-most drops in the NFL and consistently struggled to create separation against man coverage. His rise as a cornerstone of the offense is a promising sign for Green Bay’s long-term future. However, it’s also overshadowed one player who has become a forgotten piece of the Packers’ offense: Luke Musgrave.

Musgrave played in 11 games and started nine as a rookie, finishing with 34 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown. The Packers listed him as questionable with an ankle injury heading into Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, but the real setback came in Week 11.

During the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, Musgrave suffered a lacerated kidney – an injury he initially played through before being hospitalized later that day. He was released two days later after treatment and placed on injured reserve.

Musgrave returned in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears and caught one pass. The next week, he was Green Bay’s highest-graded player in the Wild Card win over the Dallas Cowboys.

He caught five passes in Green Bay’s first four games of the 2024 season before an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the year. He returned in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints and played in the team’s final three games, finishing with just two catches during that stretch.

As Musgrave enters his third year, his role could become even more crucial. With Christian Watson expected to return only by the second half of the season, the Packers need a player who can stretch the field vertically. While Matthew Golden, with his 4.29 speed, fits that role, Musgrave can also fill the void.

The Packers have favored using a lot of 12-personnel under Matt LaFleur. Those packages should only increase if Musgrave stays healthy, especially with two tight ends who are crucial parts of the passing game. Having bigger bodies on the line of scrimmage also improves the running game’s chances, boosting the effectiveness of play-action.

The key with Musgrave isn’t talent; his tape shows he has it. The real challenge is keeping him healthy and on the field consistently.

“I think he’s another guy that I’m excited about,” LaFleur said during media availability this week. “The whole key is we have to keep him on the field and keep him healthy.”

At the annual league meetings, LaFleur added he sees a much different Musgrave entering his third season. “I’m excited for Luke,” LaFleur said. “He’s had a great offseason. He’s been training in Green Bay – he’s bigger, stronger, faster. He’s attacking it the right way.”

There aren’t many players who stand 6’6” and run a 4.60. A healthy Musgrave pushes Green Bay’s offensive ceiling even higher. While Tucker Kraft should and will enter 2025 as the Packers’ top tight end, fans shouldn’t forget what Musgrave offers.