Big Board ranking: #82
Positional ranking: #6
Overview
Position: TE
College: South Dakota State
Class: Junior (RS)
Age: 22
Measurables
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 254 lbs.
Arm length: 32 3/4″
Hand size: 10”
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.69 sec.
10-yard split: 1.59 sec.
Vertical jump: 34.0”
Broad jump: 122.0”
Bench press: 23 reps
3-cone drill: 7.08 sec.
Short shuttle: 4.29 sec.
Strengths
Prototype size for a traditional tight end. Possesses natural athleticism. Very good speed for an in-line option. Soft hands and able to adjust for balls. Dangerous option down the seam. Knows how to slow play deep over routes. Exceptional acceleration coming out of breaks. Able to shield off defenders with his size on slant routes. Feels the holes in coverage and presents a target to the quarterback. Tremendous strength to break tackles after the catch. Impressive feet to make defenders miss without breaking stride. Will lower his shoulder as a runner. Used on pop passes and various motion plays to get the ball in his hands. Impressive overall power in the running game. Great initial punch as a run blocker. Very strong hands to stay attached. Excellent ability to turn his hips and create a seal. Shows grittiness to take on defensive linemen. Experience as a lead blocker after lining up in the backfield. Easily takes out defensive backs. Looks to finish blocks. Experience lining up in the slot and outside the numbers.
Weaknesses
Route tree is limited and didn’t need to separate from a ton of man coverage. Can pitter-patter rather than unleashing his speed. Needs to be more aggressive fighting through physical coverage. Not as effective reaching or leaping for high-point grabs (particularly in contested coverage). Needs to lower pad level and clean up hand placement as a blocker versus better competition.
NFL comparison
Dallas Goedert
Conclusion
Overall, Kraft is a well-rounded tight end with upside in the passing game and the skillset to handle in-line blocking duties. He should be a target for teams early in the third round.