With Tucker Krafts pending return, tight end on Green Bays draft radar

Mike Spofford

"Pre-draft picture" is a position-by-position look at the Packers' roster heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. The series continues with the wide receivers and tight ends.

GREEN BAY Two big names have left the Packers' receiving corps in the past month, but their departures open doors for others to take on larger roles.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay's leading receiver last year, went to New England via free agency, and Dontayvion Wicks, the hero of last November's Thanksgiving triumph at Detroit, was traded to Philadelphia for draft picks.

But coming off a season in whichChristian Watsondidn't take the field until the seventh game,Jayden Reedmissed 10 games due to injuries,Matthew Goldenended an up-and-down rookie season on a high note, andSavion Williamswas used more as a gadget player than true receiver, it's easy to see the Packers moving forward with what they have and not sweating the changes too much.

Watson (6-4, 208) returned from his torn ACL to catch 35 passes for 611 yards and six TDs over 10 games, numbers that project to 1,000 yards and double-digit scores over a full season.

Reed bookended what was otherwise a lost season with a TD catch in the opener and another in the playoff game, but like Watson, he's entering a contract year and a candidate for an extension. Reed (5-11, 187) led the Packers in receiving his first two seasons (2023-24), so the club knows what both he and Watson can do when healthy.

Meanwhile Golden (5-11, 191), Green Bay's first receiver drafted in the first round in 23 years, went through a number of rookie ups and downs as far as production, health and playing time.

In a four-game September-October stretch, he caught 16 passes for 196 yards. But then he had just one other game with more than 24 receiving yards the rest of the regular season before breaking out in the playoffs with four catches for 84 yards, including an impressive 23-yard catch-and-run TD in the fourth quarter.

Golden wasn't the only rookie draft pick at receiver, though, as Williams (6-4, 222) was a third-round pick who wound up with more rushes (11) than receptions (10) while handling a large share of kickoff return duties until a late-season foot injury landed him on IR.

More than anyone, Golden and Williams are the receivers in line to have a larger presence in the offense, though that doesn't preclude drafting another receiver among the Packers' eight picks to keep the pipeline full.

Though he's officially listed as a cornerback,Bo Meltonstill deserves mention after catching four passes for 107 yards and a TD last season.

One new addition via free agency, return specialistSkyy Moore(5-10, 195), could also factor in as a reserve receiver, but special teams will be his primary gig.

Three developmental prospects at receiver also remain in the mix inJakobie Keeney-James,Isaiah NeyorandWill Sheppard, who were all undrafted rookies in 2025.

Keeney-James (6-0, 190) was signed to the practice squad in late September and was activated for the Week 18 game at Minnesota, where he caught two passes for 15 yards.

Neyor (6-4, 218) was a late arrival to training camp but made an impression in preseason action and was retained on the practice squad for the entire season. He was elevated to the gameday roster for the playoff contest at Chicago and played three snaps on offense.

Sheppard (6-3, 196) spent the entire season on the practice squad as well. He was activated for one game but did not play.

At tight end, all eyes are onTucker Kraft's pending return from ACL surgery, as he was on pace to break several single-season franchise records for tight ends when his 2025 campaign ended in early November. As it was, Kraft (6-5, 259) posted 32 catches for 489 yards and six TDs in just eight games, and he's a target for a long-term contract extension once he gets healthy.

Behind Kraft, fellow 2023 draft pickLuke Musgrave(6-6, 253) returns for a fourth season after finally experiencing a run of good health last year, catching 24 passes for 252 yards.

Another fourth-year vet,Josh Whyle, joined the Packers at the end of training camp last summer after two years with Tennessee. Whyle (6-7, 248) spent the first half of the season on the practice squad and then played in nine games (including the playoff contest), finishing with six catches for 43 yards and a TD.

The rest of the position's depth has little to no game experience, so with Musgrave in a contract year and Whyle signing a one-year restricted free agent deal, tight end is certainly on the team's draft radar.

Beyond those mentioned, the position's developmental prospects includeMessiah Swinson,Drake DabneyandMcCallan Castles, all undrafted.

Swinson (6-7, 259) was with Green Bay the past two training camps but spent time on Carolina's active roster and the Packers' practice squad in 2024, then on the 49ers' and Cardinals' practice squads in '25, before re-signing to Green Bay's practice squad just as the regular season concluded last January.

Dabney (6-5, 246) went from Tennessee's practice squad to Green Bay's last year and eventually played in two games for the Packers, catching one pass for three yards in Week 18 at Minnesota.

Castles (6-4, 244) was with the Eagles, Chargers and Rams over the past two years before being signed to the Packers' practice squad in early November.

Pre-draft picture series, previous installments

QBs:Love still on rise as search for new backup begins

RBs:Packers looking for better health