Packers Can Stand To Upgrade Tight End Depth
No, the Packers are NOT set at tight end.
By Dan Saia
I love Tucker Kraft, I think the majority of Packers nation does at this point. This article is not targeted at him in any way shape or form. He is a rising star at the position and as we sit here at the end of February, he very well might be the number one target for Jordan Love going into 2025. The issue lies in the depth that currently sits behind him, or I should say lack of depth. The depth chart behind Kraft at this point consists of 3 third year tight ends and a 2024 undrafted free agent who spent much of the past season on the Packers practice squad.
The first being Luke Musgrave, one of the most talented tight ends in the 2023 NFL draft which led to Green Bay making him their second round pick (ahead of Tucker Kraft in the 3rd round). His issue has nothing to do with his ability on the field, but his ability to stay ON the field. Musgrave has played in a total of 18 out of 37 possible games over the last 2 seasons, including playoffs, due to injuries. He missed 6 games in 2023 with a lacerated kidney, and in 2024 he 10 games with an ankle injury.
If the Packers could get a guarantee that they could get a full season of good health out of Musgrave then tight end is one of the lowest needs on the roster. Unfortunately for Musgrave and the Packers he has barley played over half of possible games. The saying Availability is the best ability is an old and cliché term but it’s truer than ever with #88.
Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick filled in the majority of the snaps that Musgrave missed out on. Sims had his moments in 2023 and someone I thought might crave out a bigger role in 2024 even with Musgrave healthy but he failed to take a real hold on the tight end 2 spot. He actually was inactive during the wild card game against the Eagles in favor of FitzPatrick who the Packers claimed off waivers after Musgrave's injury.
Now you shouldn’t really expect to get much in terms of receiving out of your 3rd and 4th tight ends, and Green Bay certainly didn’t as Sims and FitzPatrick combined for 44 receiving yards on the season. However, when they are your 2nd and 3rd tight ends as the case this past season then that’s an issue. Especially considering how much Matt Lafluer likes to play his 12 personnel-or 2 tight end sets- then that’s really putting him in a hard place. Neither Sims nor FitzPatrick is going to strike fear in a defensive coordinator as a receiver.
You would expect your depth tight ends to be decent blockers, however Sims graded out as just an average to below average blocker during the 2024 season. FitzPatricks best run blocking game of the 2024 season was during week 16 when he earned the average grade of 53.6 across 19 run blocking snaps. Messiah Swinson was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent and after a small stint with the Carolina Panthers after they signed him after cutdowns, he spent the rest of the season on the practice squad. He did not see any game action with Carolina. He is also not a receiving threat as in his 6-year college career he amassed only 28 receptions for 317 yards. I would not see him factoring into Green Bay’s plans much.
My biggest reasons for needing to improve the tight end depth is twofold. Tucker Kraft played far too many snaps in 2024. He played the 4th most snaps on the offensive side of the ball at 85% of all snaps, equal to 925 snaps. The only 3 ahead of him were offensive lineman. That's alot of snaps and the Packers offense needs Kraft as fresh as possible and can’t risk wearing him down throughout the course of the season. A young man still at only 24 years old but those snaps can catch up to him quickly.
This is the Green Bay Packers we are talking about, they are likely to do as significant additions via the draft so that’s where I would expect any tight end addition to come from. However, this offseason the Packers find themselves with money to spend and not a ton of roster holes. With $42 million in funds as of this writing they can definitely spend some of that to what holes there are on this roster. As a team that is not known for just throwing around money to fix problems, I wouldn’t expect them to invest significant money in a top tier wide receiver as many fans are clamoring for. Instead, I would expect them to invest on improving on the fringes of the roster, such as tight end depth.
-Dan Saia
Comments (34)
GregC
February 27, 2025 at 03:53 pm
Not sure if Tucker Kraft's 925 snaps were too many. I looked up Travis Kelce, and he played 940 snaps. I looked up Sam LaPorta, and he played 910 snaps in spite of missing one game. Your starting TE generally is in there on almost every play.
I agree, though, that it might be a good idea to use a late round pick on a TE. Availability is not the only issue for Luke Musgrave. They barely used him last season when he was healthy. Sadly, he is looking miscast in this offense.
Leatherhead
February 27, 2025 at 04:35 pm
Dig deeper. Do you remember when Marcedes Lewis was our TE? It's TE by committee in a lot of places that don't have an All-Star TE. It's going to keep your guys fresher and healthier instead playing them on every snap.
Your five starting linemen and the QB play every snap. Nobody else needs to.
LLCHESTY
February 27, 2025 at 10:00 pm
Two TEs had at least twice as many targets as Kraft and yet he finished top 5 in every category but catches. Not only should he stay on the field he should've been the 1st or 2nd option on every pass play. If he gets the targets he's a top TE.
dobber
February 28, 2025 at 09:41 am
It's been a long time since the Packers have actually featured the TE position. I don't know how we'd respond if they actually did.
If they commit to featuring the TE position, then they definitely need to invest in a third TE...either as a FA or with at least a mid-round pick. TEs are valuable ST players, too.
LLCHESTY
February 28, 2025 at 09:51 pm
Let's put it this way, if LaFleur doesn't take advantage of his production per target by making him the 1 or 2 option I hope he goes somewhere(hopefully the AFC) where they do. Because his limited use compared to the top TEs is neglect. I guarantee there will be a team that will love to pay him to be a featured part of their offense.
Example- Kelce had 133 targets last year while Kraft had 70. Kraft more than doubled him in TDs and almost doubled his yards per catch. We won't even talk about yards after catch because that would be embarrassing to Kelce. Now imagine if Kraft had gotten 100 targets this year instead of 70 instead of those targets going to less productive players like Doubs and Wicks. Hell even Reed for half the season. Kraft's underuse was glaring and it better be corrected or he won't be here in two years and WRs are a hell of a lot easier to find than TEs. FACT
Leatherhead
February 27, 2025 at 04:30 pm
I take a TE in every simulation, often in the 4th.
We have Kraft, we have Musgrave, who has missed time. If Kraft were to have a calamity and miss the season, we'd be down to a Musgrave-Sims rotation.
Additionally, Kraft and Musgrave each have two more years on their contract, so getting a TE now is not only to upgrade the unit this year, but also to assure we have continuity in two years.
This is also one of the places on offense that we might be able to get a vet who could give us some good snaps.
Kraft is the Man, we have hopes for Musgrave. We could use another horse, unless you think Sims is that horse.
HarryHodag
February 27, 2025 at 04:51 pm
Depth is an issue because Musgrave has been hurt a lot. He's close to entering the Jaire Alexander-Christian Watson chronically injured category. Back up tight ends can be had. A good place to look is on other team's practice squads.
Leatherhead
February 28, 2025 at 12:40 pm
But if Kraft gets hurt, this guy is going to be on the field a lot. Some other team's practice squad rejects looks like a shaky plan to me.
Packers0808
February 27, 2025 at 06:23 pm
Did Musgrave ever find his feet yet and not stumble instead of rumble after a catch?
LLCHESTY
February 27, 2025 at 07:40 pm
Yes, vs the Cowboys in the playoffs.
LLCHESTY
February 27, 2025 at 07:42 pm
I think they could look for two TEs in day 3 but they don't have the picks as of now. An athletic, lighter TE as competition/replacement for Musgrave and a solid run blocking TE late or a top UDFA.
stockholder
February 27, 2025 at 07:45 pm
TT would take the guy that drops.
Based on Combine Interviews -
23. Tyler Warren TE. Penn st.
54. Bradyn Swinson Edge LSU
87. Jared Wilson C Georgia
123. Dorian Strong Cb Vir Tech
160. Dillion Gabriel. QB. Oregon
200. Caleb Ransom. S Tulane
239. Nick Nash Wr. San Jose st.
251. Charles Grant OT W&M Injury
LLCHESTY
February 27, 2025 at 08:04 pm
After watching Deone Walker run the bag drill looking like a 280 lb DE instead of the 331 lb 1T he is I'm sold. He had his best year in 2023 at 19 yrs old in the SEC and will turn 21 about when he's drafted. 97 pressures and 15 sacks over the last three years. Jarring hand power. Immediate upgrade from Slaton and possible 2026 Clark replacement. With Walker rushing 4 will look like rushing 4 and not 3.25.
Derrick Harmon looked freaky athletic for a 313 lb DT as well. CJ West is one of only nine DTs since 2003 to run a sub 5 second 40 at 315+ lbs. Day 3 developmental player that might go day 2 now.
stockholder
February 27, 2025 at 08:42 pm
Vertical is 25.0”
Broad is 104”
Arm length is 34.25
Was injured in 2024
All the DL have short arms.
33-34
The OTs are 35 or they go inside.
Your guys are a reach
.So whats wrong with signing Williams and Sweat
LLCHESTY
February 27, 2025 at 10:11 pm
You're worried about player with 34" arms going against guards and centers? You been licking frogs again?
stockholder
February 28, 2025 at 06:28 am
No - I'm worried about the back and his low
Vertical.
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2025 at 08:25 am
Then Bhaktiari and Bulaga would not qualify.
stockholder
February 28, 2025 at 09:54 am
True but - injuries happen
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2025 at 05:35 pm
Nic Scourton. Move Up and get him.
dobber
February 28, 2025 at 02:00 pm
We're talking about 6'7" Deone Walker from Kentucky, right? I don't think he's a 1T in the NFL at that height. He'll be getting rooted out by double teams constantly. He's more of a throwback 5T, IMO.
LLCHESTY
March 02, 2025 at 11:48 am
Yeah, I guess that's why 6'-7" Deforest Buckner is so bad.
dobber
March 02, 2025 at 02:33 pm
I gave you a thumbs up because I can't come up with a good argument against you! :)
SDPack
February 28, 2025 at 08:45 am
Good article. I had previously dismissed TE as a need. However, we have to assume going in that we will have a TE1 in Kraft and that a healthy Musgrave will serve in the stretch role as TE2. I do not think these free agent TEs being mentioned are going to want to play for us as a TE3 nor do I think the Pack is willing to pay a premium for a TE3 as an insurance policy. This one looks more like a draft pick of a guy with good traits that can block and play special teams.
T7Steve
February 28, 2025 at 08:55 am
What about Tyler Davis? He's still on the team, isn't he? He was the best player on special teams it was proclaimed. He was primed for a breakout the year Kraft was drafted and had freak injuries that kept him sidelined after camp the last two seasons.
jannesbjornson
February 28, 2025 at 05:38 pm
Ben Sims is a better player, but I hope Davis can return to form. This is a good TE class to bag a guy rd3-4.
dobber
February 28, 2025 at 02:02 pm
" I do not think these free agent TEs being mentioned are going to want to play for us as a TE3 nor do I think the Pack is willing to pay a premium for a TE3 as an insurance policy."
Agreed.
dobber
February 28, 2025 at 09:28 am
"Tucker Kraft played far too many snaps in 2024. "
Kraft played the 5th most snaps among TEs last season behind Cole Kmet, Brock Bowers, Travis Kielce, and Trey McBride. That's pretty good company. About 10 TEs played more than 830 snaps, but Kraft and Kmet are probably the most established blockers out of those 10...which means they're taking a different kind of beating.
What that tells me is that the Packers (1) like to have TEs on the field, and (2) either through health or talent didn't have anyone else last season to put out there to spell Kraft. We can argue about TE usage, but unless Musgrave gets healthy and stays healthy, this tells us that if Kraft gets hurt and misses time, the whole offense changes. This says they need playable depth...and if they count on Musgrave being that guy, they might be disappointed.
I've been a big proponent of leaning into TE position and the players they drafted there to help take some of the heat off the up-and-down (and beat up) WR talent and to support the run game...this doesn't include more versatile use of RBs as route runners. While Jacobs is a very capable pass-catcher, he's almost exclusively running routes out of the backfield as opposed to motioning out wide and running from the periphery.
Since'75
March 02, 2025 at 07:46 am
Love seeing someone able to do their own thinking.
Enjoyable read Dob's
Leonard
February 28, 2025 at 09:49 am
Hi, If the OL were stronger, Kraft's blocking wouldn't be such a desperate need. Don't draft a TE, draft for the OL. If you put Musgrave in instead of Kraft it strongly signals he is running a pass route because his blocking is pedestrian. Kraft in the lineup adds that 'mystery'. A bit like bringing in some one other than Jacobs as RB signals pass. Because Jacobs doesn't block as well as the subs.
Leonard
WD
February 28, 2025 at 09:50 am
Should we consider taking a TE? At what cost? To be specific: what economists call the opportunity costs. What positions will be replaced by the new TE? Edge, DT, CB, LB? Or, on offense WR, OL?
So, that is the dilemma. By the time you get to the sixth or seventh rounds any TE's left will likely not even make the team. The fact of the matter is TE and QB are the lowest priorities for the upcoming season. We are blessed with two capable starting TE's. We rarely even use two TEs. The harsh reality is we have a lot more pressing personnel questions going into next season. That is my view.
stockholder
February 28, 2025 at 09:58 am
The Needs - Free Agency.
BPA stops fools gold.
Since'75
March 02, 2025 at 07:26 am
"No, the Packers are NOT set at tight end."
**************
Well, i disagree!!
If you buy into the hype of the 'Silly 'Season' around the draft and into their rookie season.
All we heard about is how the Packers hit it big and had two blue chip tight ends after the 2023 draft.
I like Tucker Kraft a lot, like we all do, but even he isn't a blue chip, yet.
************
This is why i don't get a chubby at draft time, or GRADE a NFL's teams draft, a day after it ended, lol.
Grading a NFL teams draft after it happened, is one of the dumbest things i've seen in my long life. and i laugh when i see those articles every year.
Even when i was young, i always took a "we'll see" approach after the draft, in how they'll do in the NFL, because nobody knows, not even the.....NFL experts..
I live in reality, i don't live in fantasyland, never did.
irishgary
March 06, 2025 at 04:40 pm
The Packers have more pressing need than to add a tight end. CB, Edge, DL are much more important.
Leatherhead
March 06, 2025 at 04:57 pm
Irish Gary....four years in a row our offense comes up weak in an elimination game. We scored 10 points this year. Why are the defensive needs more pressing?