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The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after limping to the finish line of an otherwise promising season in 2024. Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur believe their team is ready to start competing for championships, but the Packers still need to find more early contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.
Can the Packers use the 2025 draft to solidify their status as one of the NFC's top contenders?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at tight end:
Low. The Packers return Tucker Kraft, one of the NFL's ascending young weapons at tight end, and Luke Musgrave, a 2023 second-round pick who has legit speed but hasn't been healthy during his first two seasons, plus backups Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick. Could Sims and FitzPatrick use competition? Probably, but Swinson was in camp last year and briefly spent time on the Panthers' 53-man roster, and Lumpkin has blocking potential. The Packers might want another body at tight end entering training camp, but the need here entering the draft is minimal.
Low to moderate. The four backups behind Kraft and Musgrave are all scheduled to be free agents following the 2025 season, so it's possible the Packers will want to add a late-round pick or priority free agent to the mix to provide roster stability past next season. Also, Musgrave is now a big question mark after two injury-plagued seasons. Sims and FitzPatrick are fringe roster types who will be fighting for a spot every summer. The 2025 season will be telling on the future of this position, in terms of Kraft's star power, Musgrave's rebound and the development of the backups.
Low. The Packers only have eight picks and little need at tight end. Unless they really like a prospect and see a definite possibility of upgrading the current depth chart behind Kraft, the Packers can pass on taking a tight end in the 2025 draft.
Not great. There are three potential first-round picks at tight end, but the Packers aren't going to be in the market for a tight end on Day 1 or even Day 2. It looks to be a top heavy class, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic only has 19 total tight ends with a draftable grade. If this was a deep class, maybe the Packers could justify getting a value pick at tight end on Day 3. That might be hard to find this year.
Jackson Hawes, Georgia TechLuke Lachey, IowaBen Yurosek, GeorgiaGavin Bartholomew, PittThomas Fidone, Nebraska
Last TE drafted by Packers: Tucker Kraft -- third round, 2023 draft
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2025 draft preview: Tight end depth chart looks strong
Continue reading...
Can the Packers use the 2025 draft to solidify their status as one of the NFC's top contenders?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at tight end:
On the roster
- Tucker Kraft: 24 years old, signed through 2026 season
- Luke Musgrave: 24 years old, signed through 2026 season
- Ben Sims: 24 years old, signed through 2025 season
- John FitzPatrick: 25 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Messiah Swinson: 24 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Johnny Lumpkin: 27 years old, signed through 2025 season
Short-term need
Low. The Packers return Tucker Kraft, one of the NFL's ascending young weapons at tight end, and Luke Musgrave, a 2023 second-round pick who has legit speed but hasn't been healthy during his first two seasons, plus backups Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick. Could Sims and FitzPatrick use competition? Probably, but Swinson was in camp last year and briefly spent time on the Panthers' 53-man roster, and Lumpkin has blocking potential. The Packers might want another body at tight end entering training camp, but the need here entering the draft is minimal.
Long-term need
Low to moderate. The four backups behind Kraft and Musgrave are all scheduled to be free agents following the 2025 season, so it's possible the Packers will want to add a late-round pick or priority free agent to the mix to provide roster stability past next season. Also, Musgrave is now a big question mark after two injury-plagued seasons. Sims and FitzPatrick are fringe roster types who will be fighting for a spot every summer. The 2025 season will be telling on the future of this position, in terms of Kraft's star power, Musgrave's rebound and the development of the backups.
Chances of drafting position
Low. The Packers only have eight picks and little need at tight end. Unless they really like a prospect and see a definite possibility of upgrading the current depth chart behind Kraft, the Packers can pass on taking a tight end in the 2025 draft.
Depth of draft class
Not great. There are three potential first-round picks at tight end, but the Packers aren't going to be in the market for a tight end on Day 1 or even Day 2. It looks to be a top heavy class, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic only has 19 total tight ends with a draftable grade. If this was a deep class, maybe the Packers could justify getting a value pick at tight end on Day 3. That might be hard to find this year.
Potential options, and last TE drafted
Jackson Hawes, Georgia TechLuke Lachey, IowaBen Yurosek, GeorgiaGavin Bartholomew, PittThomas Fidone, Nebraska
Last TE drafted by Packers: Tucker Kraft -- third round, 2023 draft
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2025 draft preview: Tight end depth chart looks strong
Continue reading...
