The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Tucker Kraft 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Tight End
School: South Dakota State
Size: 6-foot-5, 254 pounds
Class: Redshirt Junior
2022 Stats: 27 receptions, 348 receiving yards, 3 touchdown catches, 12.9 yards per catch
Kraft played at the FCS level with South Dakota State, but was still able to show off his talents. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As an unranked recruit, Kraft decided to stay in-state to play for the Jackrabbits. He redshirted his first season on campus. As a redshirt freshman, he tallied seven receptions for 90 yards. The next season he took a huge step forward with 65 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. His play helped the Jackrabbits go 11-4. For the 2022 season, he had 27 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns. He led South Dakota State to a National Championship.
Following the National Championship, Kraft declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is a projected mid-round pick.
He has solid size for a tight end. Kraft stands 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, making him fit right in at the NFL level. He could fill out his frame a little better, but has a good starting point for his NFL career. With his size, he also has decent arm length at 32 3/4-inches. The arm length extends his catch radius and helps him sustain blocks.
Kraft has great hands as well. He hauls in the routine passes with ease, but Kraft also pulls in catches outside his frame with his big catch radius. He can make catches in traffic and had success over the middle at South Dakota State. With his good body control he can be a good red zone threat in the NFL as well because he has good hands.
His athleticism is pretty solid. Kraft shows good acceleration at the start of the play and has a decent top-end speed. With his size and speed combined, he can be a tough matchup for linebackers. He has solid jumping ability, showing the ability to high-point the ball.
Kraft has the athleticism to be a decent route runner, but he needs to pay more attention to detail. He needs to get in and out of his breaks quicker. There are times where he can round off his breaks, which makes it easier for defenders to cover him.
While he has decent effort as a blocker, Kraft can struggle to sustain blocks. Kraft will need to add some more strength to his frame to help with that, but he also needs to improve his technique. Keeping his hands inside will help him be more effective. Right now he is good blocking in space, but could struggle as an in-line tight end.
He didn’t get the chance to play elite competition at the FCS level. There were a few games where the Jackrabbits played FBS competition, but those were few and far between. It may take him some time to get adjusted to the pace of the NFL.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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