Tucker Kraft has firmly taken over the starting tight end role for the Green Bay Packers after initially being behind Luke Musgrave. Entering the 2025 season, Kraft’s Packers fantasy outlook looks promising as he aims to build on a solid performance that ranked him as a high-end TE2 last year. His emergence offers a compelling late-round option for fantasy football managers seeking tight end depth.
Although Musgrave was initially expected to be the Packers’ primary tight end of the future, injuries have hampered his progress. During Musgrave’s recovery, Kraft capitalized on the opportunity and secured his position by playing 85.8% of the Packers’ offensive snaps in 2024.
Efficiency Shines Despite Limited Volume
Kraft has earned recognition as one of the most efficient tight ends in the NFL. He posted a league-high 2.64 yards per route run, placing second among tight ends overall, while his 14.1 yards per catch also ranked him second across the league. Nevertheless, his overall production has been restrained by limited opportunities.
The Packers’ offensive approach has heavily favored running the ball, leading to volume constraints for Kraft. In 2023, Green Bay ran a neutral game script (a balance between passing and running) on 45% of their plays, which increased to 53% in 2024—the highest in the league. Typically, teams with the highest neutral script run rates rely on mobile quarterbacks such as Jalen Hurts, Anthony Richardson, and Lamar Jackson. Green Bay, however, features Jordan Love, a pocket passer, yet still adopted the most run-heavy approach in neutral situations.
Additionally, the Packers operated at a deliberately slow pace, averaging 29.4 seconds per play, ranking them ninth slowest in the league. They ran just 540 offensive plays in 2024, considerably fewer than teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, who led the league with 839 plays.
Challenges and Potential Shifts for 2025
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, questions remain about what changes might alter Kraft’s fantasy outlook. For more passing volume to materialize, the Packers may need to contend with a poor defense, forcing a faster pace and more offensive plays. However, unless Green Bay’s defense unexpectedly struggles, it’s expected they will maintain a balanced but run-heavy offense similar to 2024, limiting target opportunities for Kraft.
Volume remains the crux of Kraft’s production issue. Despite his effectiveness when on the field, he ran routes on only 53.5% of passing plays and commanded a modest 15.1% target share, ranking 19th among tight ends. His average depth of target (aDOT) was just 5.3 yards, underscoring a limited role in stretching the field and generating consistent fantasy points.
Kraft’s 2024 Fantasy Performance and Draft Position
In 2024, Kraft functioned as a classic touchdown-or-bust TE2, finishing as the 14th-ranked tight end with an average of 9.6 fantasy points per game. He reached double-digit fantasy points in seven games, scoring touchdowns in six of those contests. His current average draft position (ADP) as a TE10 aligns well with his projected potential, making him an appealing late-round target.
The tight end strategy for many fantasy managers often boils down to drafting an elite star or waiting to select a reliable option later. If top players like Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, or George Kittle are off the board, Kraft could emerge as a value pick in the final rounds of drafts.
Expert Projection Highlights Kraft’s Growth Potential
Analyst Frank Ammirante underscores Kraft’s upward trajectory in his third NFL season. Kraft caught 50 of 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Notably, he averaged 9.1 yards after catch (YAC) per reception, leading all tight ends with at least 40 receptions. For comparison, George Kittle, a premier playmaker, averaged 6.7 YAC per catch last year.
Based on these strengths, Kraft’s ability to generate yards after the catch positions him as a dynamic offensive weapon. Reports from training camp have been encouraging, indicating he may receive a larger role in the Packers’ offense.
Moreover, the Packers’ heavily run-focused game plan in 2024 was influenced by quarterback Jordan Love playing through injury. With Love expected to be fully healthy in 2025, an increase in passing attempts should emerge, further enhancing Kraft’s opportunities and fantasy appeal.
“This weapon can make plays after the catch — last year, it put up 9.1 YAC per reception, which ranked first among tight ends with at least 40 receptions. For context, the next closest was George Kittle, at 6.7.”
—Frank Ammirante, Fantasy Analyst
“With that in mind, it’s clear that Kraft can make things happen with the ball in his hands, so it would be in the Packers’ best interest to get him more involved in the offense. Reports out of camp have been positive so far.”
—Frank Ammirante, Fantasy Analyst
“Now fully healthy, we can expect an uptick in passing volume in Green Bay, which bodes well for Kraft. This is one of my favorite targets at tight end this season.”
—Frank Ammirante, Fantasy Analyst
What Kraft’s Growth Means for Fantasy Football
Tucker Kraft’s evolution as the Green Bay Packers’ top tight end and his strong efficiency metrics make him a compelling candidate to break out further in 2025. Should the Packers increase their passing attempts, Kraft’s role could expand significantly, boosting his value in fantasy football drafts.
While volume concerns have limited his ceiling, the combination of better health for Jordan Love, positive camp reports, and Kraft’s proven ability to make plays after the catch could translate into a meaningful uptick in production. Fantasy managers targeting tight ends late in drafts should monitor Kraft closely, as he represents a steady and potentially high-upside option for the 2025 season.