Green Bay’s Tight End is putting up some amazing numbers.
Historically, if an NFL team has a potent offense, they get decent production out of the tight end position. However, the Packers’ Tucker Kraft has been more than a solid contributor, he has emerged as one of the team’s offensive stars.
This season has been nothing short of spectacular for the young tight end, with standout performances that have not only caught the eye of fans but have also rewritten parts of the Packers’ storied record books.
Tucker Kraft was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (78th overall) of the NFL Draft in 2023. His selection was seen as a strategic move to bolster the team’s tight end position with a player known for both his receiving and blocking skills.
Since joining the Packers, Kraft has quickly made a name for himself, becoming an integral part of the team’s offensive scheme and showing promise for what fans hope will be a long, successful career in Titletown.
He fits right in with the team in the smallest market in professional sports. Tucker Kraft hails from Timber Lake, South Dakota. He played college football at South Dakota State University (SDSU). During his time with the Jackrabbits, he was known for his versatility and blocking ability, earning him All-American honors and helping lead SDSU to multiple FCS playoff appearances.
A Season of Highlights
While this has been his breakout season, his rookie year was impressive as well. Kraft had the second-most receiving yards (355) and the third-most receptions (31) by a rookie tight end in team history last season.
This year, he’s excelled.
Kraft’s prowess was on full display during Week 13, where he matched his career-best with six receptions, amassing 78 receiving yards. This performance was not an isolated incident; Kraft has now hit the 75-plus yard mark in three games this season, tying for the most by a Green Bay tight end since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. His consistent performance is underscored by a remarkable streak of 17 consecutive games with multiple receptions, spanning from Week 11 of 2023 to Week 9 of 2024, the longest such streak by any Packers tight end in the Super Bowl era.
A New Benchmark for Tight Ends
Kraft isn’t just making history with his consistency; he’s setting new records with his big plays. Kraft has registered two of the six longest catches by a Green Bay tight end in the Super Bowl era (66 and 67 yards). These feats make him the first Packers tight end in the Super Bowl era to have at least two catches of 65-plus yards in one season, joining an elite group of NFL tight ends to have ever accomplished this.
Leading the Tight End Pack
Kraft’s stats this season position him near the top of the league among his peers. He ranks third in touchdowns by a tight end with seven, fifth in yards after catch with 405, and an impressive second in yards per reception at 14.
As the playoffs approach, Tucker Kraft stands out not only as a key player for the Packers but as one of the NFL’s rising stars at the tight end position. His ability to consistently perform, make big plays, and contribute significantly to the team’s overall offensive output is turning heads league-wide. If his trajectory continues, Kraft could very well redefine what it means to be a tight end in Green Bay, echoing the legacies of past greats like Paul Coffman, Mark Chmura, and Bubba Franks.
In an era where versatility and impact are paramount, Tucker Kraft is proving that he’s not just another tight end; he’s a game-changer.