The Green Bay Packers need Tucker Kraft more than ever.
While less could be more in the passing game after decluttering the receiving corps, the Packers have lost two reliable targets in Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks without adding any significant replacements.
Kraft was soaring toward All-Pro status before tearing his ACL last November. Now, with Doubs and Wicks gone, the Packers will need to rely on their star tight end.
Appearing on NFL Live, ESPN's Mina Kimes spelled out the reality facing the Packers' passing game, and why confidence levels hinge on Kraft's status.
"I think the skill group should be fine, but with a caveat or a question mark," Kimes said. "When is Tucker Kraft going to be back and available? Is it going to be Week 1? I think this is, maybe not as big of an absence as Micah Parsons, but it's not that far off in terms of his importance to this Packers passing attack."
"Folks forget, through the first nine weeks of the season, before Tucker Kraft got hurt, he was fifth amongst all pass-catchers in yards per route run, which captures both productivity and usage," Kimes added. "That's ahead of receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase. That's how important he was."
Mina Kimes' take on Tucker Kraft says it all for the Packers' offense
While the Packers have high confidence in Christian Watson, as they should after his impressive return from injury last season, he isn't a high-volume target like Doubs was. Watson definitely has room for more targets, but his real value is as a game-changing weapon who stretches the field and changes the calculus for the coverages defensive coordinators choose.
Matthew Golden stepped up when the Packers gave him opportunities as a rookie, including his breakout 84-yard, one-touchdown playoff performance. Green Bay needs him to take that next step. Getting a full season from Jayden Reed would also be huge.
But Kraft is now the glue that can hold it all together. Not only is he a big-play threat, but Kraft can also take a high volume of targets. He's elite after the catch and powers through defenders like a bowling ball. It's why Jordan Love can confidently dump the ball off to him and let his tight end do the rest.
Before his injury, Kraft had caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in under eight games. Across a full season, that pace would've put him at 68 catches, 1,039 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Trey McBride was the only tight end to post numbers in that stratosphere last season. It will likely land Kraft a new contract this summer.
As Kimes concluded, "Kraft has to be there, and if he's not, I start to get a little bit worried about the group."
That's fair. While Watson is a true game-changer, and Golden can become that, the Packers have lost so much reliability with Doubs gone. Kraft can be the pass-catcher to keep the offense in rhythm and ahead of the sticks.
And, of course, his explosiveness and ability to make huge plays add even more importance to his return.
There are questions. The Packers' season opener will likely fall on September 13 or 14, which sits at 315 days (10.5 months) after Kraft's injury. That gives him a good shot at playing in Week 1. But will it take time for him to hit full stride? That remains to be seen.
Kraft reached an All-Pro level last year, and the Packers will need that version of their star tight end to cover for the departure of Doubs and Wicks.
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