Luke Musgrave (Packers) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
The Green Bay Packers selected Luke Musgrave in the second round of the NFL Draft. However, they drafted another tight end, Tucker Kraft, in the very next round. With two young tight ends now on the roster, it’s unlikely that both will be fantasy relevant for Green Bay.
With Jordan Love taking over at quarterback, the Packers offense is expected to struggle. On top of that, the offensive line is still a weakness for them. As talented as he is, it’s hard to recommend drafting Luke Musgrave in redraft leagues. With the potential for limited opportunities in the Packers’ offense and a less-than-ideal situation overall, Musgrave may struggle to make a significant fantasy impact in his rookie season.
However, for those in dynasty leagues, there could be some value in stashing Musgrave on your roster. I have him as a mid-range TE2 who could develop into a more reliable option over time, particularly if he’s able to establish a rapport with Jordan Love or a future Packers quarterback. While it’s not a sure thing, the potential upside is certainly there.
Luke Musgrave NFL Draft Preview
Luke Musgrave, out of Oregon State, is one of the more polarizing prospects in the draft. He has the prototypical size and skills to be an elite tight end, but he was never able to fully showcase his talents in college. Between a COVID-shortened season in 2020 and a season-ending knee injury last season, Musgrave never got the opportunity to put up great career numbers. Even in his one full season in 2021, he only caught 22 passes. However, most scouts believe Musgraves is a top 5 tight end worthy of a mid-to-late second-round pick.
Musgrave was named to the Mackey Award Watch List in 2022, which recognizes the top tight ends in college football. He received a lot of attention after being the first tight end in Senior Bowl history to clock over 20 MPH in drills. His speed and athleticism are enough for teams to bet on his potential.
Measurables
- 6’6” 253 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.61 seconds
- Vertical jump – 36″
- Broad Jump – 10’5″
Luke Musgrave is going to be a problem in the NFL.
The @BeaverFootball TE putting in a show at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/HUNEAQ5LPh
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 2, 2023
Positives
Musgrave is a solid blocker who is willing to engage defenders and use his size and strength to create running lanes for his teammates. He has good technique and footwork as a blocker and can hold his own against larger defenders.
He is a reliable receiver who has good hands and the ability to make contested catches. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically. He is also a talented red-zone target, using his size and athleticism to box out defenders and make plays in tight spaces.
He uses his body to shield defenders from the ball. His footwork is crisp, and he has good acceleration out of his breaks. He is also a reliable target in the short-to-intermediate passing game
I am tired of having no opinion of Luke Musgrave (TE 88)pic.twitter.com/0XdfXoLzxn
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) March 18, 2023
He has reliable hands and rarely drops catchable passes. He has a large catch radius and can make difficult catches in traffic. He is not afraid to make tough catches in contested situations and has shown the ability to make highlight-reel grabs.
My top five #NFLDraft TEs.
1. Michael Mayer #GoIrish
2. Darnell Washington #UGA
3. Dalton Kincaid #Utes
4. Luke Musgrave #Beavers
5. Sam LaPorta #Hawkeyes— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) March 23, 2023
Negatives
Musgrave has a history of injuries, including the knee injury last season. While he has shown resilience in bouncing back from these injuries, his durability is a concern at the next level. His lack of experience put him behind other tight ends who played more in college. He might take longer to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. He needs to get more comfortable running timing routes to earn the trust of his quarterback.
Grade – A-
Musgrave has the potential to be a solid contributor at the next level as a receiving tight end who can also provide value as a blocker. His versatility and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect, but his injury history is a red flag that could impact his draft stock. He’s a boom/bust candidate who grades highly based on his high ceiling. On the right team, Musgrave could be a viable fantasy starter this season.
Doug Burrell finished 2022 as Fantasy Nerd’s Most Accurate Expert in NFL Picks and Tallysight’s #1 ranked expert Against the Spread Expert out of 200+ experts. He is a veteran, a runner and an avid fantasy sports enthusiast since 1999. You can reach him on Twitter @dougwburrell.
