By: Michael Higgins

School: South Dakota State (Junior)

Position: TE

HT: 6’5

WT: 255 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #74

Tucker Kraft is a great football story. Going to a small FCS school such as South Dakota State was really Kraft’s only option. Growing up in South Dakota, Kraft had virtually no eyes on him in high school when it came to recruiting. His only offer was from his home state team. Kraft was a multi-sport athlete and a 3-star recruit in high school. Kraft is an athletic player with the typical tight end build and a big body that can move well. His athleticism shows up both on the field and in standard athletic testing. He tested well above average in all athletic testing at the NFL Combine for his position. Tucker Kraft put up noticeable production throughout his 2021 season and he was expected to burst onto the scene in 2022. While he did put himself on the map as far as the draft is concerned, an ankle injury that he sustained held him to only 5 games in 2022. However, in those 5 games that Kraft played, he showed why he is a consensus top 5 tight end in the class.

Kraft is a reliable weapon in all areas of the field. He can take a short yardage pass in the flats and turn upfield to gain yards, but he can also be a dynamic downfield weapon that can either find soft spots in coverage to sit in, or he can come down with those contested catches to bail his offense out. In terms of the receiving aspect of his game, there are no major concerns with Kraft’s game. He has had his ups and downs with the consistency of his hands. This consistency often comes to these tight ends with experience, which Kraft just has not had a ton of. As a blocker, Kraft shows ideal strength and size to act as an extra lineman in the run game as an in-line tight end. Kraft more than holds his own against edge rushers while also being able to eliminate defensive backs from making plays on the ball carrier.

Tucker Kraft has showcased plenty of tools that scouts find intriguing in tight ends, but a couple of unique situations make Kraft’s situation a bit unique. Playing at an FCS school, Kraft’s competition was weaker than the average prospect. While he played well against the competition, the jump from the FCS to the NFL will be big. Tight ends coming into the league already take a bit more time to develop than the average position, and a player going from the FCS to the NFL will come with a bit more growing pain. He will need to develop into a more consistent pass catcher and prove that he can perform against the tough competition in the NFL on a weekly basis.

Tucker Kraft is a top-tier tight end from a small school with a lot to prove. He has the ability to end up being the best tight end in this class, but he is extremely raw and needs time to develop in a system that allows for that. He should not be looked at to go to a team that has a desperate need at tight ends. Rather he should go to a system that utilizes two tight ends consistently, where he can get plenty of run without being the main guy that the team relies on. He can succeed in that type of limited role until he is developed and ready to be the main guy.

Scheme Fit: Power Rushing Offense

Ideal Role: In-line TE

Best Team Fits: TEN, GB, NYG

Player Comparison: Robert Tonyan

Player Grade: 75.6