Packers’ Tucker Kraft Looking To Carve Out Role In Team’s Offense

One of the players that people are going to be keeping an eye on when the Green Bay Packers kick off their preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals is rookie tight end, Tucker Kraft. The third-round pick out of South Dakota State has been building up some positive momentum heading into the game and is looking to capitalize.

Heading into the game, Kraft has been getting more and more comfortable on the field. He was one of the players that shined during the Packers’ Family Night practice last week, showcasing just how much development he has done.

Known for his pass-catching ability coming out of college, Kraft certainly showed that off during the biggest practice of the offseason. But, it was his blocking in the running game that surprised people and will keep him on the field in the regular season.

“Right now, I feel like I’m understanding things big picture,” said Kraft via Packers.com. “But right now really just nailing the little things, there’s things I can still clean up. But I do really feel like I’m coming along as an athlete in this offense.”

Getting reps is important for young players and Kraft has been afforded them recently. With Josiah Deguara nursing a calf injury, it was Kraft who was getting reps with the first-team offense, sharing the field with fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave.

The Packers ran a lot of 12 personnel with Kraft as the second tight end next to Musgrave. That is a slight formation change from when Deguara is in the lineup, as the fourth-year veteran is listed as the starting fullback/H-Back.

While there have certainly been some struggles for Kraft, it was expected. There will be bumps in the road, and he knows that. Kraft is just happy to be getting a chance to learn and develop this offseason.

“It doesn’t matter who’s on the field,” said Kraft, “as long as I’m getting reps at my position, I’m learning. I’m learning how to get better technique. How to plan better for different scenarios and rep for rep, I feel like I just get more confident.”

It is very clear that the Packers have plans for Kraft during the regular season. While it may be a small role in the early going, the potential for it to expand as the season moves along exists.