3.78 - Tucker Kraft [TE; South Dakota State]

[Herbie_Hancock]

2 minutes ago, Arthur Penske said:

He’ll be right at home

 

Lmao

[Arthur Penske]

Kraft Cheesus

 

[Kepler]

51 minutes ago, Arthur Penske said:

Welp,

 

 

We hope! 

[CWood21]

1 hour ago, gopackgo972 said:

It’s fluffing season. I demand satisfaction.

Go ask @Packerraymond to fill your need.

[incognito_man]

51 minutes ago, Arthur Penske said:

Kraft Cheesus

 

This is reminiscent of the Jordy Nelson pick. Smalltown grainbelt America. 

 

[ThatJerkDave]

This guy is a freaking ogre inside a tank.  I like him.  After not liking the second round, I really like the third.  How about that?

Give him a year, maybe two to work on the blocking technique, vs just getting huge on guys, and I will really like him.

[beekay414]

Tucker Kraft mac n ******* cheese me

[thrILL!]

1 hour ago, Arthur Penske said:

 

He prolly killed that buck with his bare hands.  No rifle.  Didn't even use a knife to separate the head before mounting it on the wall.

[incognito_man]

“He’s going to work his butt off in the run game,” Sports Info Solutions scout Nathan Cooper said. “He’s not one of those guys who’s just ‘doing enough.’ He’s a guy that drives guys off the line. He’s a lot of fun to watch in the run game and definitely has enough as a receiver.”

The Packers sent two scouts to the SDSU pro day - a big number for a smaller program.

He was one team’s third-ranked tight end; Musgrave was No. 6.

 

Here’s more on Kraft.

Measureables: 6-4 3/4, 254 pounds, 10 hands. 4.69 40, 4.29 shuttle, 9.67 RAS.

Stats and accolades: Kraft was a first-team FCS All-American in 2021 with a monster season of 65 receptions for 773 yards (11.9 average) and six touchdowns in 15 games. He tuned out some big-school overtures and returned to SDSU for 2022. In a season detoured by an ankle injury, he caught 27 passes for 348 yards (12.9 average) and three touchdowns in nine games for the FCS national champions.

 

Analytical stats: None available for the FCS product. According to NFL Draft Bible, he had nine drops and was guilty of nine penalties during the 2020-2021 seasons.

How he fits: Kraft is one of the few ready-to-go three-down tight ends in what’s a strong overall class.

“He makes a huge impact,” quarterback Mark Gronowski said before the FCS title game. “He’s one of the best run-blockers on our team. And as a receiver, he changes the game. He’s a huge target – I can put it anywhere within five yards of him and he’ll catch it. And after a catch you know he’s going to get an extra five, 10, 15 yards because he’s so hard to tackle.”

 

NFL Draft Bible says: Kraft lacks elite speed and burst, but his large frame, upside as a blocker, and ability to win contested catches suggest he’ll contribute to a team in several ways early in his career.

Personal touch: After his All-American 2021, college football’s big fish descended on the small pond that is South Dakota State. Kraft was offered six-figure NIL deals but voted for loyalty rather than his wallet.

 

“At one point I was one click away from entering my name in the portal,” he told Hero Sports. “But the last few conversations I had … made me realize that I built relationships in the last three years that are insurmountable compared to a six-figure deal to go play somewhere else. And my draft stock isn’t going to rise if I went and played in the SEC or the Pac-12. I was already at that point as a top tight end in the next year’s draft.”

While he didn’t get rich, he did win a national championship.

 

“There’s a lot of lessons and stories that will be shared from Tucker’s situation,” said coach John Stiegelmeier. “Tucker’s a small-town kid who’s had a great career at South Dakota State, had an opportunity to go on and make a lot of money with other schools and he chose to be loyal and stay committed to South Dakota State football.

"When those things come up in the future we’ll point to Tucker and say, ‘Look what he did and still had an opportunity in the NFL.’ He’s a great teammate and has a great future in football.”

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/packers-select-tight-end-tucker-kraft-in-third-round

[Arthur Penske]

24 minutes ago, incognito_man said:

This is reminiscent of the Jordy Nelson pick. Smalltown grainbelt America. 

 

Lotta “lunch pail” guys this year.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Arthur Penske

[MacReady]

He has a personality?

I am intrigued. 

[incognito_man]

4 minutes ago, MacReady said:

He has a personality?

I am intrigued. 

you should be

favorite pick so far. And Reed set a high bar. 

I don't really like Musgrave for some reason

LVN is "boring" but an awesome guy to have on the team. Not an exciting pick, but still a great pick.

This is exactly the personality type we want on this offense at TE.

Edited April 29, 2023 by incognito_man

[craig]

I love this pick.  3rd round jinx is over!  

Best TE since Finley.... unless Musgrove is even better!  :):)

Fun to have a guy with the all-around TE game.  

Edited April 29, 2023 by craig

[Arthur Penske]

1 hour ago, incognito_man said:

you should be

favorite pick so far. And Reed set a high bar. 

I don't really like Musgrave for some reason

LVN is "boring" but an awesome guy to have on the team. Not an exciting pick, but still a great pick.

This is exactly the personality type we want on this offense at TE.

Exciting is actually where some would lump most of these picks in including LVN.

 

[HyponGrey]

3 hours ago, Arthur Penske said:

Welp,

 

 

That's still a lot of drugs.

Edited April 29, 2023 by HyponGrey