The Green Bay Packers offense will look very different in 2023 with Jordan Love at quarterback. While many expect Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to be the top pass-catchers, rookie tight end Luke Musgrave could play a prominent role in his first NFL season.
Musgrave, the 42nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was the fourth tight end off the board. Despite playing in only two games last season at Oregon State due to a knee injury. However, a strong pre-draft process and his tape when healthy sold the Packers on the 6-foot-6 tight end’s upside.
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He was clocked at 20.05 mph at the Senior Bowl, per Dane Brugler, the fastest max play speed ever recorded for a tight end and he did it at 255 pounds. After a strong performance at the NFL Combine, he posted a 9.78 Relative Athletic Score with similar athletic scores to Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen coming out of college.
Green Bay knew they drafted a special athlete who had the tools to be an offensive weapon when he developed. While the rookie still faces a learning curve at a position that often requires significant patience, Musgrave was one of the standouts at OTAs and minicamp. As he heads into his first training camp, it’s clear the Packers coaching staff is extremely high on him.
Appearing on The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny previewing the NFC North, FOX Sports’ Carmen Vitali shared that Musgrave is already generating serious buzz before training camp.
“Luke Musgrave is absolutely factoring into this receiving corps as a tight end. I mean, the way that he’s run his routes and how crisp looks, how fast he is. They really, really like…He’s so fast…They REALLY like him.”
FOX Sports’ Carmen Vitali on Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave
There’s an opportunity for Musgrave to be one of the primary weapons in Green Bay’s offense next season. Young quarterbacks tend to rely on tight ends more than veterans, especially when they can get open quickly and make plays after the catch.
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In 2022, head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t have the opportunity to feature his tight ends as much because Marcedes Lewis was 38 years old and Robert Tonyan wasn’t the same in his first season back from an ACL tear. Now, that can change in 2023 with Musgrave’s athleticism.
While Doubs and Watson project to be Green Bay’s receiving leaders this fall, Musgrave could emerge as the third option. If he keeps building chemistry with Love, Musgrave could challenge for All-Rookie honors.
