Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is very excited about the two young players he has at tight end heading into the 2024 NFL season. Both Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft provide the Packers with dangerous weapons at tight end and that’s something LaFleur is looking forward to utilizing in the offense this coming season and beyond.
Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft Give the Packers Dangerous Weapons at Tight End: Luke Musgrave
The Packers selected Musgrave in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft using the 42nd overall pick. The Oregon State alum won the starting job in training camp last year and started the season as the first- string tight end.
Musgrave started nine of the first 10 games of the season for the Packers before suffering a lacerated kidney in the Packers win over the Chargers in Week 10. That caused him to miss the next six games. Musgrave returned for the season finale and the playoffs but was still not at full strength.
Musgrave finished the regular season with 34 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown. He added six receptions for 66 yards and a score in the team’s two playoff games.
His play early in the season coincided with the struggles of Jordan Love and the rest of the young offense. He would appear to have a higher ceiling this season as Love, Musgrave and the rest of the young players on offense have more experience and are more comfortable in the offense.
Tucker Kraft Finishes Strong
Kraft was the Packers third round pick in 2023 as GM Brian Gutekunst doubled down to fill the need at the tight end position. It took the South Dakota State product a little longer to adjust to the pro game in training camp. As a result, Kraft got fewer reps early in the season before Musgrave’s injury. In fact, Kraft had just three catches for 11 yards before Musgrave’s injury against the Chargers.
However, once he got the chance, Kraft took full advantage of the opportunity. He finished the season with 31 catches for 355 yards and two scores. He added five catches for 24 yards and a touchdown in the postseason.
Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft Give the Packers Dangerous Weapons at Tight End: Matt LaFleur Is Excited
LaFleur has always wanted to use multiple tight ends in his offense. Now, he feels he truly has a chance to take full advantage of that opportunity. “I think it just adds to the complexity of your offense in terms of having multiple personnel groupings,” LaFleur told reporters at OTAs on Tuesday. Adding complexity or the illusion of complexity, is a key component of LaFleur’s offense. It is designed to create momentary confusion on defense.
LaFleur is also excited about the talent he has at tight end. “I think both these guys can do it all.” He added, “I think they both will end up becoming complete tight ends in this league in terms of their ability to run block and then what they can do for you in the passing game. I think they both have a little bit different flavor to them which for us allows for more flexibility on the offensive side of the ball. They’re both great dudes that love the game of football and I think just to see where they are right now from a year ago, it’s just night and day.”
The Strengths of Each Player
Musgrave and Kraft both have complimentary skill sets. Musgrave has more downfield speed and is capable of being a downfield receiving threat. The Packers haven’t had a consistent downfield receiving threat at tight end since Jermichael Finley had his career ended by injury a decade ago.
Kraft on the other hand, excels at running with the ball after the catch. He can take a short pass or a checkdown and turn it into a sizeable gain.
While those may be the strengths of each player, both are capable of doing what the other does best. The result is that LaFleur will have opportunities to create productive plays for both his top tight ends on offense.
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