Tucker Kraft
Tucker John Kraft is an American professional football tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Early life
Kraft was born on November 3, 2000, in Timber Lake, South Dakota. His father, Doug Kraft, died in 2013. He has two brothers named Cody and Tanner Kraft.Kraft grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation and in April 2024 he was named an honorary tribal member for his acts of service to the community. Kraft wears a Cheyenne River Sioux tribal flag on his football helmet alongside the American flag.
He later attended Timber Lake High School, where he played running back, middle linebacker, and punter on the football team. As a senior, Kraft rushed for 1,405 yards and 24 touchdowns and was named first team All-State. He committed to play college football at South Dakota State over a late offer from Wyoming.
College career
Kraft redshirted his true freshman season. He caught seven passes for 90 yards during the spring 2021 season, which was delayed from the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a redshirt sophomore, Kraft started all 15 of South Dakota State's games and had 65 receptions for 780 yards and six touchdowns. He was named consensus FCS All-American and All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.Professional career
2023 season
Kraft was selected in the third round, 78th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 17. In Week 11, against the Lions, he scored his first NFL touchdown. In Week 14 against the New York Giants, Kraft had a career-high game in yardage with 64 yards in four receptions. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and made eight starts. He finished with 31 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns. In the Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, Kraft scored his first playoff touchdown.2024 season
In May 2024, Kraft suffered a torn pectoral muscle, causing him to miss part of Green Bay's offseason training program.2025 season
On October 26, 2025, in a Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kraft caught seven passes for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns on National Tight End’s Day. He made eight starts for Green Bay, recording 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns.In Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, Kraft suffered a serious knee injury early in the third quarter and had to be carted into the locker room. On the day following the game, an MRI confirmed that Kraft tore his ACL, ending his season.