Luke Musgrave's Emergence Could Unlock a New Dimension in Packers' Offense
A few weeks ago, it looked like Luke Musgrave might be fading into the background of the Packers’ offense. The second-round pick from the 2023 draft had been thrust into a starting role after fellow rookie tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL.
And in the immediate aftermath, the results weren’t exactly headline-worthy - just six catches for 52 yards over four games. The whispers of “bust” started to bubble up.
But lately, something’s changed in Green Bay. The Packers haven’t just stuck with Musgrave - they’ve started to figure out how to use him. And if the last few weeks are any indication, Musgrave could be a sneaky X-factor down the stretch and a major piece of the puzzle when Kraft returns next season.
Quiet Stats, Loud Impact
Let’s be clear: Musgrave isn’t winning anyone their fantasy league. He’s not racking up targets or touchdowns. But what he is doing is carving out a role that’s quietly making life harder for opposing defenses.
In the Thanksgiving win over the Lions, Musgrave hauled in a 23-yard catch that showcased exactly what he brings to the table - size, speed, and the ability to stretch the seam. That wasn’t an isolated flash, either.
In Week 9 against the Panthers, he pulled in a 21-yard reception that helped set up a touchdown. The following weeks saw him draw two critical pass interference calls - a 21-yarder against the Eagles and a 24-yarder against the Vikings - both the result of defenders struggling to keep up with him downfield.
No, the volume hasn’t been there - just eight total targets since Kraft’s injury, and no more than three in a single game. But the plays he has made tell a different story. This is a player who’s not just taking up space on the field - he’s changing how defenses have to play.
A Mismatch Waiting to Happen
Musgrave’s potential has never been about high-volume catches. It’s about what he can do when the opportunity is there.
At Oregon State, he posted an average depth of target (aDOT) of 12.5 yards - a clear sign he was being used to attack defenses vertically. At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, and with a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, he’s the kind of athletic mismatch that offensive coordinators dream about.
Linebackers can’t keep up with him. Safeties can’t outmuscle him.
And yet, early on, the Packers tried to plug him into a short-yardage, YAC-heavy role that felt more like Kraft’s game than Musgrave’s. That didn’t play to his strengths. But now, we’re seeing Green Bay pivot - using Musgrave more as a vertical threat up the seam, where his speed and size can actually tilt the field.
Spacing the Field: Why Musgrave Matters
The Packers’ receiving corps is already loaded with deep threats. Christian Watson leads the charge with a blistering 19.4 aDOT. Jayden Reed (14.4), Bo Melton (13.4), Matthew Golden (13.4), Romeo Doubs (12.7), and Dontayvion Wicks (12.2) are all stretching the field in their own right.
But here’s where Musgrave fits in: with so many vertical threats outside, defenses are being forced to play wide and deep. That creates space in the middle - the perfect zone for a tight end like Musgrave to exploit. And as Reed continues to settle into his role (he had a more modest 8.5 aDOT last year, 9.5 for his career), it could open up even more underneath and intermediate opportunities for Musgrave to work with.
He’s not just another guy running routes - he’s a piece that helps open up the entire passing game.
The Long-Term Play: Two Tight End Sets
Looking ahead, the return of Tucker Kraft could give the Packers something they haven’t really had in the Matt LaFleur era: a true dual-threat tight end duo. Musgrave brings the vertical juice.
Kraft brings the yards-after-catch toughness. Together, they could give LaFleur the flexibility to run more two-tight end sets - a look that can force defenses into tough personnel decisions and create mismatches all over the field.
It’s a dynamic that could make this offense even more dangerous in 2026. But even before we get there, the signs are encouraging.
From Afterthought to Asset
Musgrave’s early struggles had plenty of people ready to write him off. But now, with the Packers adjusting their approach and leaning into what he does best, he’s starting to look like a player who could make a real impact - not just as a fill-in for Kraft, but as a weapon in his own right.
The production isn’t gaudy. The targets are limited.
But the flashes are real. And in a league where big plays often come down to matchups and moments, Luke Musgrave is starting to look like a guy who can deliver both.