Feb. 7, 2026, 3:58 p.m. CT

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers will be in the market for a tight end or two this offseason. Tucker Kraft is the future and he’ll likely be a Packer for life. The former South Dakota State University star will be coming off a torn ACL and could miss the start of the season.

With Kraft potentially missing the start of the season, it opens the door for Luke Musgrave to once again try to showcase why the Packers used a second-round pick on the former Oregon State product. The big-bodied and athletic tight end has been okay if not underwhelming, as he himself has battled to stay healthy. He’ll be entering the final year of his rookie contract and thus far has not done enough to earn a second contract in Green Bay.

Even with those two on the roster, the Packers need to add bodies to that room, with an eye on finding a long-term running mate for Kraft, if Musgrave is indeed on his way out in Green Bay.

A potential target on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Lake McRee. The USC tight end checks in at No. 75 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

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A native of Texas, McRee hauled in two touchdowns during his redshirt freshman season in 2022. The following season, the USC tight end recorded 26 receptions for 262 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, McCree recorded 24 receptions for 245 yards.

This past season, McRee recorded career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (450), receiving touchdowns (4), and averaged 15 yards per reception.

“McRee was fourth on the team in receptions and receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns, after a season where the Trojans didn’t have a single tight end touchdown in 2024,” Ryan Abraham, the owner and publisher of USC football.com, said. “McRee was a reliable option for Jayden Maiava and he helped bring about the resurgence of the tight end position for this USC offense.”

6-3, 251 pounds, McRee has a good-looking frame. He’s a smooth athlete who has long strides to stretch the seam. He quickly enters his routes and has clean footwork. He’s a strong finisher who can finish through contact and was dinged for two drops on 49 targets. A former basketball player, McRee does a good job of attacking the ball while it’s in the air and has natural body control. Of his 30 receptions this past season, 21 of them resulted in a first down.

“McRee has reliable hands and is good at securing most passes that head in his direction,” Abraham said. “At times Lincoln Riley would call plays for him in the flat running sideways towards the sideline, but he is far more effective when he can slip downfield into intermediate distance. Once downfield, he is better at getting yards after catch than when he is closer to the line of scrimmage.”

McRee isn’t a punisher as a blocker. He does however, give consistent effort. He’s an agile mover who can get out on reach blocks and seal outside running lanes.

“Before this season the tight ends were mostly used as run blockers, so he was able to hone his craft in the run game before things opened up in the pass game,” Abraham said. “He can certainly hold his own and really helped the Trojans keep the ball moving on the ground even after losing their top-two backs to injury.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need depth at the tight end position. With his effort as a blocker and his natural hands, McRee could provide value as the team’s No. 3 option during his rookie season. With Kraft likely sidelined to start the season, he could serve as a nice No. 2 option behind Musgrave.

“We have seen the tight end position grow and evolve in the NFL and McRee has the skillset to be a contributor at the next level,” Abraham said. “He has the potential to evolve into a No. 1 tight end, but he could help teams that like to use multiple tight end sets or as a backup to the primary in most offenses.”

Kraft is one of the most important players on Green Bay’s roster. He isn’t going anywhere. Musgrave’s future in Green Bay is less certain. It seems unlikely that he’ll earn a second contract in Green Bay. However, given the fact he has yet to take off, maybe the Packers could afford on him on a cheap contract, if Musgrave wants to stick around 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

No matter what happens, they need another body or two in that room. McRee may not be a bully as a run blocker and he may not be the most explosive tight end in this class. He offers a little bit of everything and that’s exactly what the Packers need in their No. 3 option and potentially long-term running mate for Kraft.