The 2023 second round from Oregon State has had a bumpy start to his career. The plan has not stayed on schedule for Luke Musgrave. The talented tight end has been dealt a poor hand that included two serious injuries through two NFL seasons. When healthy, Musgrave’s athletic attributes make him a complete mismatch for opposing defenses. Luke Musgrave and the Packers hope that his third NFL season will be his best yet.
Luke Musgrave started to flash his potential in the middle of the 2023 season but ultimately, that came to a screeching halt due to a lacerated kidney. His 2024 season did not last long either. Musgrave was placed on IR after the Week 5 win in Los Angeles due to a torn ligament in his left ankle. Luke Musgrave has seen limited action during his first two seasons. Fellow TE Tucker Kraft continues to improve and develop with the amount of snaps he plays, something that Musgrave and the Packers hope will benefit him.
Green Bay has found a tight end that can do it all in Tucker Kraft but Luke Musgrave’s skill set adds a diverse element to the Packers offense. Musgrave is 6 ft. 6 inches tall, runs a 4.61 40 yard dash, and has a 36 inch vertical jump. His speed in the middle of the field is a handful for opposing defenses. Most NFL linebackers cannot keep pace with that kind of speed. In the past, LaFleur has shown a tendency to run 12 personnel. With Kraft’s blocking ability and ability to run after the catch, by adding Musgrave’s speed to the equation, the Packers have two tough tight ends to defend.
Luke Musgrave is Still An Undetermined Prospect
It is rare in the NFL that by year 3 in a player’s career, teams do not know what kind of player he is. This is the case for Luke Musgrave. Green Bay is still hopeful that their expectations of Musgrave can be met. By using a second round pick, it is no secret that the Packers envisioned Musgrave being a key contributor.
The emergence of Tucker Kraft might benefit Musgrave. It is clear that the number 1 tight end spot belongs to Kraft but this might allow Musgrave to used in different ways. Kraft is expected to be on the field the majority of the time. Because of that, LaFleur can find different packages to get Musgrave on the field and to get him the football. Depending on the Packers offseason moves at the wide receiver position, it is a possibility that LaFleur will attempt to run his offense thru Josh Jacobs and the two young, promising tight ends.
A strong 2025 campaign for Luke Musgrave benefits everyone. The more diverse the Packers offense can get, the harder it will be to stop. In 2024, the drops were a major problem as the receiving group struggled with consistency. The 2024 self-inflicted wounds from the offense cannot carry over. The Packers hope Musgrave can stay on the field but more importantly, the team hopes he can become a consistent, reliable option. Maybe Luke Musgrave can emerge as a trustworthy target for QB Jordan Love in 2025.
