Offensive piece is breaking a traumatic curse in Green Bay

We will evaluate every Green Bay Packers rookie in 2023. Draft picks, undrafted free agents, players acquired through other avenues.

Overview

Rookie tight ends don’t tend to impact the team right away. The Green Bay Packers achieved this with Luke Musgrave. So when the starter got injured with a lacerated kidney, and fellow rookie Tucker Kraft had to replace him, there were several (and fair) questions.

But Kraft not only replaced Musgrave, he played at a high level and showed that, with his different skill set, he can execute a complementary role to the second-rounder.

Kraft was selected by the Packers with the 78th overall pick, and it seems like he is on the right path to break Green Bay’s third-round curse.

Snap counts and stats

• 56.66% offensive snaps, 45.22% special teams snaps
• 31 receptions, 355 yards, 2 touchdowns, 121.7 passer rating when targeted

PFF grades

• 63.6 offensive grade
• 67.4 receiving grade
• 78.0 drop grade
• 76.6 fumble grade
• 67.7 pass block grade

• Best game: 76.4 (vs. New York Giants, week 14)
• Worst game: 36.2 (vs Las Vegas Raiders, week 5)

Big plays

Kraft's first game as a starter was against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. His role was primarily as a blocker, but he had a couple of receptions in the first half, including a touchdown.