NFL Analyst Makes Bold Prediction For Packers’ Luke Musgrave

The Green Bay Packers revamped their entire tight end depth chart this offseason. There isn’t a single player who took snaps at the position in 2022 back with the team or playing the same spot in 2023.

Veterans Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis both moved on in free agency, signing deals with the Chicago Bears. Josiah Deguara remains on the roster but he has been listed as the starting fullback/H-back offensively. Tyler Davis, who was expected to see an expanded role offensively, tore his ACL in the first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his season.

That has left the Packers with three rookies on the tight end depth chart heading into the season. Second-round pick Luke Musgrave is the starter, followed by third-round pick Tucker Kraft. Undrafted free agent Ben Sims was claimed on waivers after being released by the Minnesota Vikings during cut-down day.

Tight end is notoriously a difficult position for players to transition from college to the pros. Often times their responsibilities change drastically, as the block assignments are tough to adjust to. However, there is optimism that Musgrave will be able to make an immediate impact as a pass catcher.

The Oregon State product has freakish athleticism for the tight end position as he tested through the roof during the pre-draft process. What held him back collegiately was his health, as he played in only 35 games in four seasons.

Despite that, Sam Monson of PFF believes that Musgrave is going to hit the ground running in his rookie season. One of his bold predictions for the Packers in 2023 is that the former Beaver will approach the 1,000-yard mark.

“Rookie tight ends don’t tend to get 1,000 receiving yards, even in this era of 17 games and expansive passing games. It’s happened twice,, and one of them was Mike Ditka in 1961. Musgrave likely won’t surpass 1,000 yards, but he might push it very close, judging by how the team has been deploying him in training camp and his receiving skill set. He has all of the physical tools, and the Packers have been using him on things like jet sweeps that typically aren’t drawn up for tight ends. Musgrave averaged 3.4 yards per route run across just two games last season at Oregon State before injury shut him down, but he looked primed for a monster year.”

The Packers made it clear during the offseason that they want to get the ball into Musgrave’s hands as much as possible. As Monson pointed out, plays not normally called for tight ends are being called for Musgrave as Green Bay has confidence in him being a playmaker.