Tucker Kraft Fantasy Performance: TE2 Overall After Career-High 143 Yards

Tucker Kraft put up 7 catches for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Packers' 35-25 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. The tight end finished with a career-high in receiving yards while leading all players at any position in yardage during Week 8's primetime matchup.

Kraft now has 30 receptions for 469 yards with 6 touchdowns through eight games in 2025. That puts him at TE2 overall in PPR rankings, a massive jump from his preseason TE11 projection. The usage was elite with 9 targets in this game, and his 128 yards after catch represented the most YAC by a tight end in a single game since George Kittle's 135 in 2018.

Over Kraft's last four games, we're seeing 23 catches for 216 yards and 4 touchdowns on 31 targets. The 6-foot-5 tight end has become Jordan Love's most reliable weapon, particularly in red zone situations where his size creates mismatches against smaller defensive backs. His two touchdown catches against Pittsburgh came from 16 and 24 yards out, showcasing both his hands and ability to create separation.

The connection between Love and Kraft has been building all season, with the quarterback consistently finding his tight end on key third downs and in scoring situations. Love completed 29-of-37 passes for 360 yards in the win, with Kraft accounting for nearly 40% of those passing yards. The timing of this breakout performance on National Tight Ends Day wasn't lost on fantasy managers who started him with confidence.

Fantasy Impact

This performance reinforces Kraft as a must-start TE1 going forward. His current pace projects to 996 receiving yards and 12.75 touchdowns over 17 games, numbers that would place him among the elite at the position. The 73.2% catch rate on 41 targets shows excellent reliability, while his 15.6 yards per reception indicates big-play ability that separates him from typical possession tight ends.

Fantasy managers who picked up Kraft from waivers earlier this season or drafted him late are now sitting on a potential league-winner. His combination of target volume, red zone usage, and yards-after-catch ability makes him matchup-proof in most game scripts. The Packers' 5-1-1 record suggests positive game flow should continue favoring his production.

Next Steps

Monitor Kraft's target share over the next two weeks as Christian Watson returned from injury in this game and caught 4 passes for 85 yards. The Packers have enough passing volume to support multiple weapons, but any significant target redistribution could impact Kraft's ceiling. His blocking responsibilities also mean he won't always run routes on every snap, though his route participation has increased steadily throughout the season.

Looking ahead, Kraft should remain locked into lineups as a top-5 tight end option. The combination of Love's continued development and Green Bay's offensive system creates an ideal environment for sustained production. Fantasy managers should expect week-to-week consistency with occasional ceiling games like this Sunday night showcase.

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