Tucker Kraft stole the show at Lambeau Field. In a 27–18 win over the Commanders, the Packers tight end hauled in 6 of 7 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown — a jaw-dropping performance that lit up social media, sent fantasy rosters into a frenzy and had teammates calling him a future star.
Green Bay’s offense is still young, but after Thursday night’s nationally televised win, one thing is becoming clear: Tucker Kraft is not just a complementary option — he’s a matchup problem.
In the Packers’ 27–18 victory over Washington, Kraft made the most of every opportunity. He finished with six catches on seven targets for 124 yards and one score — an eye-popping 20.7 yards per reception average. One grab alone went for 57 yards, while Kraft finished with a career-high 74 yards after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats.
Quarterback Jordan Love, who targeted Kraft frequently, was quick to sing his teammate’s praises after the game. “Tuck’s going to have a big year,” Love said — a sentiment echoed by running back Josh Jacobs and others in the locker room. The moment also produced a classic Lambeau Leap and immediate comparisons to elite tight ends on social platforms, where fans and analysts dropped George Kittle and Travis Kelce references.
For fantasy managers, Kraft’s night mattered as much as it did for Packers fans. Tight ends who consistently create chunk plays are rare; over the past decade only a handful have averaged more than 10 yards per target across a season. Early returns suggest Kraft could join that rare group — he’s already being lumped in with names typically reserved for perennial Pro Bowlers.
The context makes the performance even more impressive. Washington arrived at Lambeau having played deep into the postseason last year, and the Packers leaned on a multi-weapon attack. Yet Love repeatedly looked for Kraft, who converted targets into explosive gains and kept drives moving. Packers’ game scripts that require explosive, chain-moving plays make a versatile tight end valuable — and Kraft delivered in exactly that role.
Social media reaction was instantaneous and effusive. Clips of his long catch and Lambeau Leap pinged around Twitter and NFL streaming highlights, while analysts pointed to his knack for yardage after the catch and his ability to break tackles. DraftKings and fantasy analysts promptly updated his outlook, and owners who rostered him enjoyed the immediate payoff.
There are reasons for cautious optimism. Two games is a small sample size in a 17-game season, and sustaining elite production requires health, scheme fit and consistent target share. Still, the raw production — big plays, YAC, and a nose for the end zone — offers a blueprint for how the Packers can integrate Kraft as a core playmaker moving forward.
If Thursday night was any indication, opposing defenses will soon have to game-plan specifically for him. For now, Packers fans (and fantasy owners) are basking in that delicious “did you see that?” glow — and Kraft has given them plenty to talk about.
