Last year there were a lot of questions about the Packers especially their Tight Ends.
Talk about being at a position, the Packers basically re-built the position, with the only returning Tight End being Josiah Deguara.
But the improvement and development of rookie Tight Ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft last season have the team set at that position.
A rocky start
Musgrave started the season as the starter.
Though there were some rookie mistakes that rookies make, Musgrave learned from them.
He became a target for Jordan Love in the short and medium passing game.
Even though he only scored one touchdown in the regular season, he was dependable in crunch situations.
Musgrave finished the season with 46 receptions for 352 yards.
Those numbers could’ve been better if Musgrave didn’t miss multiple games because of a lacerated kidney.
Kraft’s development
Musgrave’s injury set the stage for Tucker Kraft.
The 2023 3rd round draft pick, saw action right away in 2023 but mainly as an extra blocker.
Kraft was a late developer but late in the season his availability proved to be pivotal for the Packers.
Once Musgrave got injured Kraft stepped in, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Krafts playing style of “bringing the pain” to defenders paid off.
He finished the season with 31 receptions for 355 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Future
Once Musgrave became healthy, both him and Kraft became a formidable Tight End duo.
This gave Love more weapons in the passing game with not one but two quality Tight Ends.
With fully healthy Musgrave and Kraft ready to go for another season, the tight ends could be dangerous come the 2024 season.
With Musgrave stretching the field and Tucker working short and medium passing game, it will be hard for defenses to plan against them.
Conclusion
It has been a while since the Packers have had a tight end duo like this.
You’d have to go back to the days of Bubba Franks and Wesley Walls to find a good duo of tight ends.
Yes, that was only one season but that was the last time I saw the Packers have 2 legit good tight ends.
With Musgrave and Kraft the sky is the limit.
If both can continue their good play from 2023, you might be looking at one of the best youngest tight end duos in the NFL.
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Hau Khuong has been a Packers fan since 1996. He currently works as a video editor in Green Bay and writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @HauKhuongSports.
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