Tight ends play a pivotal role in LaFleur’s offense, and the Packers made a significant investment into the future of the position when they doubled-down during the second day of the 2023 NFL Draft.
By taking Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave in the second round (No. 42 overall) and Kraft, it was the first time Green Bay selected two tight ends in the first three rounds of the same draft since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
While both have flashed, it’s been a challenge to get Kraft and Musgrave on the field together. Musgrave was limited to just seven games last year after undergoing in-season ankle surgery, playing sparingly during the Packers’ stretch run.
Kraft and Musgrave both spent the offseason in Green Bay, which Kraft very much enjoyed. It not only provided a friendly face around what can be a quiet facility but also someone who could push him in positional workouts.
Understanding the key role the tight ends figure to play in the offense next season, Kraft hopes to strike a balance between his tenacious on-field approach and becoming a more vocal leader.
“I really want to take that upon myself this year to lead with my playstyle like I may have done last year, but also with more words, not just headbutts,” Kraft said. “Going into our two-tight end packages with Luke this year, we’re gonna have to find ways to spread that wealth around because the tight end room, we’re gonna be relied on heavily this year.”
A native of Timber Lake, S.D., Kraft feels like he hit the jackpot when the Packers drafted him in 2023. While famously known as the smallest market in the NFL, Green Bay happens to be the largest town he’s ever lived in.
Kraft appreciates the area so much he and his wife, Baylee, have chosen to live in Green Bay year-round. It’s also where they’ll start their family, as the couple is expecting the birth of their first child in early July.
With his roots firmly planted in Wisconsin, Kraft felt it was a no-brainer to take part in this year’s Packers Tailgate Tour, a five-day event that visits schools, hospitals, businesses, retirement homes and community centers across the state. Kraft nearly participated last year but ran into a scheduling conflict.
He and his wife snuck in a couple vacations this offseason before he focused solely on preparations for the upcoming season…with a few pickleball games mixed in.
After back-to-back playoff seasons, however, Kraft knows expectations loom large for himself and his Packers teammates.
“It’s just been a lot of buzz this offseason,” Kraft said. “I feel like people are ready for us to emerge as the leaders of the (NFC) North again. That’s something that we’re definitely gonna have our sights on going into Week 1 of OTAs, realistic goal-setting material.”