Tucker Kraft NFL Draft Profile
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 254 lbs.
School: South Dakota State
2023 NFL Draft: Tucker Kraft Scouting Report
Tucker Kraft is a quick, physical tight end, who powers forward after the catch. He is a proto-typical NFL tight end, pre-developed and pre-packaged to achieve great things in a tight-end favourable system. Kraft is a physical specimen, the stereotype of a South Dakota Jackrabbits tight end. During a fully healthy 2021, he caught 65 passes for 773 yards and six scores. Injuries side lined him for October 2022, but in seven matches (including playoffs) he caught 27 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
His effort sparked the South Dakota offense, and he is likely able to do the same in the NFL. Tucker Kraft can turn the tide of a match through third-down receptions if he becomes a reliable second tight end. He even has the potential to turn into a solid first tight end. From the NFL combine – which he found disappointing – to his pro-day, he improved his 40-yard dash by a tenth-of-a-second, from 4.69 to 4.54. Although a favourable clicker may exaggerate his 40-yard time, his mentality and work ethic suggest he knows when he underperformed, and he knows how to improve. In a highly competitive NFL, this is half the intangibles a draftee needs for long-term success.
Strengths
- Physical, strong NFL specimen at tight end. High-ceiling
- Strong catches
- Quick after the catch, athletic tight end traits
- Mentally resilient and showed improvement on coachable traits
- Can combat big linebackers and overpower defenders for a catch
Weaknesses
- Average run blocker
- Does not have precise cutting ability despite athleticism
- System tight end
- Potential history of injuries
- Could stand to improve finesse ability
NFL Comparison: Noah Fant
Teams With Need at Position: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys
Projection: Second Round
Bottom Line on Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft is a powerful tight end who will likely make an immediate impact. There is a lot to like about him from a fan perspective (providing a security check-down tight end to any quarterback) and from a coaching perspective (strong, secure, and athletic tight end). Although he needs to improve small details in his route-running and ‘receiving’ traits, he will be a high-round selection.
Kraft particularly stands to improve in an NFL that favours the receiving tight end, especially two-tight end, or off-set back formations. Tucker Kraft can add a dynamic aspect to any offense with his plus athleticism and size. Any team that drafts a rookie quarterback this year might be well-off selecting Kraft in round two so both players can grow together and develop a repertoire. Although a majority players in this draft fit ‘role-specialist’ players, Kraft is a tight end who coaches should view with a high-ceiling.
He has the un-coachable size, and the coachable traits that make him a special receiving tight end. Blocking downhill in the running game will prove challenging at first, but if Kraft can develop top tight end receiving skills, blocking becomes more irrelevant as a role in the offense. Tucker Kraft has the ability to be a very special tight end, and coaches and quarterbacks should be thrilled when he lands on their NFL squad.
Main Image: Erin Woodiel / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK
