The Green Bay Packers drafted Luke Musgrave in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At the time, they obviously envisioned a dynamic pass-catching tight end who could stretch defenses and become a featured weapon in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Three years later, it’s fair to say he’s disappointed, particularly compared to his counterpart, Tucker Kraft.
That’s really the load-bearing wall in the argument to put Musgrave on the trading block: The team will presumably lock emerging star Tucker Kraft into
a long-term deal before the season begins, Musgrave has not lived up to expectations, and perhaps GM Brian Gutekunst could get some value from a tight end-needy team.
I’d argue, though, that unless the price is truly worth it, trading Musgrave at this time doesn’t make much sense.
Here’s the practical reality: Musgrave is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Kraft is recovering from a torn ACL and, while he expects to be ready for Week 1, quality depth remains invaluable. What’s the best Green Bay could hope for in return for Musgrave? A modest Day 3 pick? The thinning of the position for that return does not feel worth it to me, especially when you consider that they could just let Musgrave play out his contract and walk away at season’s end.
Ultimately, I do think the Packers should listen to offers, but only if the return exceeds expectations. Musgrave’s value in Green Bay may be diminished — colored by expectations early in his career— but his athletic upside and familiarity with the system makes him worth keeping as insurance for one more season.
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