Buffalo Bills: 3 late round tight end targets in 2023 NFL Draft
By Kevin Devine
Tucker Kraft – South Dakota State
Tucker Kraft is a very interesting prospect out of South Dakota State. ESPN currently ranks him as the seventh overall tight end in this year’s draft class, and 79th overall prospect. However, rankings on him have been changing with NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks having previously ranked him as a top 5 tight end in this draft.
Pat Freiermuth of NFL.com says of Kraft:
"“Kraft provides formational versatility that will be appealing for teams that make heavy use of 12 personnel (two tight ends). He has the body control and catch toughness to be more than just a traditional Y tight end. Kraft has Day 2 talent and should see the field early with a chance to become a TE1.”"
Kraft seems like just the type of player the Bills have been looking for. A solid blocker who could be a solid pass-catching weapon for Josh Allen, and a player who projects best in two tight end sets which McDermott and Beane have wanted to include more of in the Bills offense.
That Kraft is moving down draft board and projections seems to be more a product of other tight ends receiving hype, and not due to anything negative about Kraft. This could provide a savvy team an opportunity to draft him at a solid value.