Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles watches practice prior to Super Bowl LVII on February 08, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023 at the State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
What could the Eagles do with their later draft picks in 2023? The franchise could have this offensive player on their radar for Day 2 or Day 3.
The Philadelphia Eagles will likely go defensive early in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they could pick up a few offensive gems in the crowded Day 2 or Day 3 minefield.
Most mocks have the Birds taking a pass-rusher or D-lineman in the first rounds; however, it’s later down the board where things get a little interesting.
With Dallas Goedert primed to enjoy another dominant campaign working the middle of the field, the Eagles could find a solid TE2 in this year’s draft who could potentially be Goedert’s successor in the future.
Philadelphia reportedly sent one of their highest ranking scouts to watch tight end Tucker Kraft at South Dakota State’s pro day.
Eagles sending one of the highest ranking executives in their college scouting department to South Dakota State’s pro day to watch Tucker Kraft is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Kraft is a likely day two or early day three pick, at the latest. Philly needs an upgrade at TE2. pic.twitter.com/kz9GnGIu9C
— DiBirds (@DiBirdsBlog) April 1, 2023
Eagles are keeping tabs on TE Tucker Kraft as a potential late-round pick
According to The Draft Network, Kraft is a starting-caliber tight end with third-round value whose closest comparison is Patriots’ Hunter Henry.
In a semi-crowded tight end class, Kraft poses as a sleeper pick who possesses the pass-catching and run-blocking abilities to make an impact behind Goedert in the Eagles’ scheme. Both he and Goedert went to South Dakota State, and Goedert ended up being a top-50 pick in the 2018 draft.
Kraft may not go that early, especially after he suffered an ankle injury this past season and was limited to six games. In that small sample size, he recorded 19 catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns, a very respectable stat line all things considered.
At this year’s NFL Combine, Kraft was ranked in the top-ten among other tight ends with his 4.69 40-yard dash (tied for 7th) and a 1.59 10-yard split (tied for 5th). There’s no question the raw physical measurables are there, and in theory Kraft could bond with Goedert over their experiences at South Dakota, but it’ll all come down whether the Eagles deem Kraft an ideal fit.
