NFL Draft Grades for Packers’ Selections of Musgrave, Reed, Kraft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – NFL Draft grades are a lot like hopping on a motorcycle. Sure, you can start the engine. But that’s only the first part. Can you actually drive it down the road, or will you wobble, crash and get one heck of a case of road rash?
The draft is the same. The players all look good in the garage. Will they look good on Sundays or crash and burn?
So, with the obvious preface that, yes, NFL Draft grades are stupid and irrelevant until at least a couple years have passed, here is what the NFL Draft Experts had to say about the Green Bay Packers’ Day 2 haul of tight end Luke Musgrave and receiver Jayden Reed in the second round and tight end Tucker Kraft in the third round.
Batting leadoff, The Sports Illustrated team of Matt Verderame and Gilberto Manzano was tepid on Green Bay’s haul.
Musgrave got a B as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the draft but the “flashes were minimal” due to a knee injury that limited him to only two games in 2022.
Reed got a C-plus with his downfield speed and contested-catch skill.
Kraft got a C-minus despite being a “physical blocker.”
Here are some more grades.
Musgrave’s “strong hands” and run-after-catch ability made him a good fit. Reed went earlier than Reuter expected but Kraft went later. Musgrave and Kraft form a “nice pair” at what was a major position of need.
Pro Football Focus: Average to Very Good
Musgrave was a “good” pick with his “size and speed to challenge defenses down the seam.”
Reed was an “average” pick who dropped too many passes and was only an “OK” athlete but impressed at the Senior Bowl with his releases and sharp route-running.
Kraft was a “very good pick” with the “tools to be a complete in-line tight end.
Chris Trapasso, CBS: A for Reed
Musgrave was a C-plus as a “sleek, vertical seam-stretcher” but was an enigma with his lackluster production.
Reed was an A as a “draft crush” because of his route-running, speed and run-after-catch ability.
Kraft, a “moose in the open field,” was an A-minus.
The 33rd Team: A-minus for Kraft
Musgrave, who is a “much better” receiver than blocker at this stage, got a B.
Reed got a C-plus as a receiver who can set up defenders, stretch the field and make contested catches.
Kraft got an A-minus as a high-upside player with “top-level” movement skills.
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: B, B, B-plus
Musgrave was a B with his high upside making him more of a projection. A good week at the Senior Bowl helped.
Reed, who is “built differently” than Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, got a B.
Kraft, who “blocks and is physical and intense,” got a B-plus.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A, B, C
Musgrave got the A. He is an “athletic target with the speed, quickness and route-running to make big wideout-like plays.”
Reed got a B even as a “reach.” He’s got some “big-play upside.”
Kraft got a C, with Iyer noting that doubling-up on tight ends meant they couldn’t fill another need.
Ryan Gosling, Pro Football Network: B, A, A-plus
Musgrave got a B; in his live grading, Gosling said he would have preferred Kraft at this spot. However, Musgrave’s explosiveness could be deadly alongside Christian Watson.
Reed got an A was a “three-level” threat and “easy projection.
Kraft got an A-plus. He’s got “untapped” potential in the passing game.
Christian D'Andrea and Robert Zeglinski, USA Today’s For the Win: C for Reed
Musgrave got a B-plus as he’ll become “best friends forever” with Love.
This pick got a C but was ripped with Reed allegedly not having speed and being destined to be a Day 3 pick.
Kraft got a B. “The Packers know they’ve only got one ball, right?”
Doug Farrar, USA Today’s Draft Wire: A for Musgrave
Musgrave, who reminds Farrar of Darren Waller with his downfield explosiveness, got an A.
Reed got a B-minus, with Farrar focusing on 2022 and ignoring his sensational 2021.
(I couldn’t find third-round grades.)
Walter Football: A-minus, D, B-minus
Musgrave got an A-minus, with scouts appreciating his talent even if the production wasn’t there in college.
Reed got a D. He’s small and a reach and the Tennessee duo of Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman were available.
Kraft, who is raw but has upside and will give the Packers some two-tight-end packages, got a B
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: Three Bs
Musgrave got a B as the type of “large and fluid tight end with the capability of creating in the passing game is something every NFL offense wants.”
Reed got a B as a “complementary” threat who can stretch the field alongside Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
Kraft got a B because he was an “excellent value.” Tight ends are a quarterback’s “best friend.” Expect the Packers to lean on that group heavily.
Want more nonsense? Here are the first-round grades of Lukas Van Ness.
More Green Bay Packers News
Doubling up on tight end gambles
Aaron Jones shows “every pick counts”
Third-round pick: Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft: Scouting opinions
Second-round pick: Jayden Reed
Jayden Reed: Scouting opinions
Second-round pick: Luke Musgrave
Luke Musgrave: Scouting opinions
Updated list of Packers draft picks
First-round grades for Lukas Van Ness
First-round pick: Lukas Van Ness
Lukas Van Ness: ‘Nice Young Kid’ to ‘Hercules’
