As much flak as the Green Bay Packers (probably deservedly) get for not using any first-round picks on offensive weapons to help Aaron Rodgers through the years, they undoubtedly have found some big-time playmakers beyond round one, including potentially some studs in the 2023 NFL Draft class. The 2022 NFL Draft was all about loading up at wide receiver for the Packers, but they put an emphasis on the tight end position in 2023.
Thanks to the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Packers had three picks in the first two rounds including two in the second. With the 42nd overall pick, they selected Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, someone who had generated some late hype leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft despite not putting up any really crazy numbers at Oregon State.
With just 47 catches for 633 yards and two touchdowns as a member of the Beavers, Musgrave is one of those types of players that you might assume based on his numbers is “just” a blocker at the tight end position, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s a dynamic athlete at the position and someone who should play a major role for Green Bay early on.
Musgrave has NFL bloodlines. His uncle is Bill Musgrave, longtime NFL player and coach. Luke is built a little different than his uncle, though. At 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, this is a guy who posted one of the top 25 pre-draft workouts for any tight end in the last 30-plus years.
Luke Musgrave is a TE prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.78 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 25 out of 1104 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/QYDHcn2wNQ pic.twitter.com/ZOG1llsP4r
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 16, 2023
Luke Musgrave can be the Green Bay Packers’ version of Travis Kelce
Take a look at Musgrave’s pre-draft metrics by comparison to Travis Kelce, who was picked by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Travis Kelce was one of my favorite draft prospects of all time, and has turned into one of the best tight ends of all time. #RAS pic.twitter.com/QNg5qER02G
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 13, 2023
They are bordering on identical.
It’s just training camp, but that context and video footage of Musgrave out there dusting former first-round pick Darnell Savage in practice? There’s every reason for Packers fans to be excited about seeing what this guy can do.
Luke Musgrave had Darnell Savage hitting the GROUND 😳
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 6, 2023
Musgrave was reportedly on the field for every first team offensive snap at the Packers scrimmage last night.
Musgrave has also reportedly been one of the “fastest” players at Packers camp.
And he’s 6’6”, 253 pounds.
The… pic.twitter.com/ASIXteuy0n
Unlike with Luke Musgrave’s college numbers, Kelce had a bit more proof of concept coming out of Cincinnati. He had one year of really good production whereas Musgrave sort of struggled with injuries and never put anything together for a full season statistically that made him look dominant, by any stretch.
But that’s where evaluating each piece of the puzzle comes into play. Musgrave has certainly shown off his athletic traits. He’s shown well as a blocker. He can do a little bit of everything well but the way he can become the Packers’ version of Travis Kelce is by becoming Jordan Love’s best friend in short order.