Sophia
GREEN BAY, Wis. – In a sentiment reminiscent of Keyshawn Johnson’s famous book, Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is making a clear and confident plea: get him the ball. After a standout rookie season and an impressive start to the current campaign, Kraft believes that a more significant role in the offense is not just a personal desire, but a strategic imperative for the team.
“I think that it is in our best interest to move the ball that I touch the ball every drive,” Kraft declared after Thursday’s practice. “That’s just the confidence I have in myself. It’s where I think I am as a guy in this offense now. Yeah, enough said.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Kraft’s Impact
Kraft’s confidence is well-founded. When the ball finds his hands, good things tend to happen for the Packers. The team boasts an impressive 6-1 record in games where he records at least 60 receiving yards, including a perfect 4-0 run last season and a crucial 1-0 start this year. These aren’t just arbitrary statistics; they highlight a clear correlation between Kraft’s involvement and team success.
Digging deeper into the analytics, Kraft stands out as the NFL’s premier run-after-catch tight end. Last season, he led the league by a significant margin in yards after the catch per reception and tied for first in forced missed tackles, despite ranking outside the top 20 in total receptions. This year, he continues to dominate in YAC per catch, proving his rare ability to turn short gains into explosive plays.
Explosiveness Personified: A Unique Weapon
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich acknowledges Kraft’s unique skillset. While the offense features reliable route-runner Romeo Doubs, a resurgent Dontayvion Wicks, and promising first-round pick Matthew Golden, Kraft offers a different dimension. His ability to get downfield for a big play or transform a short pass into an explosive gain sets him apart.
“Any of those guys but especially a guy like Tucker, if we’re going to be the best that we can be, we’ve got to get him the ball. For sure. There’s no doubt about that,” Stenavich affirmed. “He does great things when he has the ball. At the end of the game, we got the ball to him and he did a great job getting an explosive play to put us in field-goal range. He’s just one of those guys that makes plays when he has the ball in his hands.”
In Week 2, Kraft was instrumental in a significant win against Washington, hauling in 6-of-6 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown. Even last week, coming off a knee injury, he made a critical catch and run that should have sealed a game-winning touchdown drive.
“I’m going to run each route on the field like I’m going to catch the football and I’m going to block each play like I’m at the point of attack,” Kraft said. “I believe that I offer a different kind of consistent explosiveness whenever I get the ball in my hands.”
Statistical Dominance Among Tight Ends
Entering Week 4, Kraft leads the Packers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Among all tight ends in the league, he ranks 17th in receptions but an impressive sixth in yards, first in yards per catch (among those with at least six receptions), and tied for first in touchdowns. PFF further highlights his elite performance, placing him second in yards after the catch, first in yards per route, and first in passer rating when targeted.
“That’s always my argument is what happens when 85 touches the football?” Kraft reiterated. “Is it a first down? Is it an explosive? Breaking tackles? Is he getting in the end zone? Talking myself in the third person but that’s just my brand. Give me the ball and just watch what happens every time. I just try to be the most consistent player on offense one snap at a time.”
A Team-First Approach to Offensive Improvement
Kraft’s desire for more involvement stems from a genuine place of wanting to improve the team’s inconsistent offense, not from selfishness. As one of three permanent offensive captains alongside running back Josh Jacobs and quarterback Jordan Love, his perspective is rooted in what’s best for the collective. The Packers are coming off a dismal offensive showing in a 13-10 loss to Cleveland, where Kraft had zero catches in the first half.
The urgency for a strong offensive start is paramount, especially heading into Sunday night’s crucial game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“We did great Week 1, Week 2, coming out and trying to put points on the board,” Kraft reflected. “We’ve just got to stick to that. It doesn’t matter if we’re home or away, we’re going to come out on the first drive and try to get points on the board. That is just the demand of our offense.”
He emphasized the complementary nature of football, highlighting the defense’s strong performance and the offense’s need to reciprocate. “The defense needs us to play like that so we can play complementary to them. It was 10-0 up until the fourth quarter. That’s remarkable. Not a lot of defenses are doing that. We have the best defense in the NFL, so we just have to help them out. We’re beating ourselves up when we’re getting behind the sticks with pre-snap penalties. We’re fed up with our own mistakes and we’ve got to limit those in the future.”
The message is clear: the Packers need to unleash their playmakers, and Tucker Kraft is making a compelling case that he should be at the forefront of that effort.
