Place Your Bets: Which Tight End Will Be Drafted First?

The Green Bay Packers have a major need at tight end and could have their pick of a strong group with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Apr 16, 2023 2:05 PM EDT

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers have an overwhelming need at tight end entering the 2023 NFL Draft. With the draft less than two weeks away:

- Green Bay has only four tight ends on the roster.

- Only two of those players has played in a game.

- Only one of those players has ever scored a touchdown.

- Combined, Josiah Deguara (39 receptions) and Tyler Davis (eight), a pair of 2020 draft picks, have caught 47 passes in their careers. That’s less than Robert Tonyan, who signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency, caught last year.

An incredibly strong draft class – especially compared to recent drafts – beckons. As many as six players could go in the first two rounds of the draft. Ten might find their way in the first three rounds.

FanDuel Sportsbook has odds on which tight end will be drafted first.

- Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, who is scheduled to have a predraft visit with the Packers, is the favorite at -175. He’s the most polished receiving threat in the class, with excellent athleticism and super-soft hands.

- Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, who had a predraft visit with the Packers, is next at +150. He’s an NFL-ready, three-down, every-situation player.

- Georgia’s Darnell Washington, who had a predraft visit with the Packers, is +700. He’s got an elite combination of size and speed – his 9.88 Relative Athletic Score is second-best in the class – and is the best blocker.

- Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave, who might have had a massive final season if not for an early-season knee injury, has the potential to become the best pass-catching tight end with his 6-foot-6 frame and 4.61 speed. He is +5000.

- Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, a bit undersized but a superb receiver, also is +5000. GM Brian Gutekunst attended the Hawkeyes’ pro day.

- South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft, who dominated the FCS ranks and should be a three-down contributor, is +10000. The Packers had two scouts in attendance at his pro day.

The Packers enter the draft with several pressing needs to handle. Defensive line, with only three players under contract who’ve played in a game, and outside linebacker, with Rashan Gary coming off a torn ACL, are among them. Defensive line (including edge rusher) is the betting favorite to be Green Bay’s first pick. Tight end is right behind.

The Packers have used their first-round pick on a tight end only twice in franchise history.