Rookie tight end Luke Musgrave is not only finding his stride in the Packers passing game, with four explosive catches over the last two weeks, but he’s also beginning to stand out as a blocker.
Over the last three games, Musgrave ranks 10th out of eligible tight ends in PFF’s run-blocking grade and seventh in pass-blocking grade. During that span of games, the Packers have seen a much-improved run game, with their ball carriers averaging 4.5 yards per rush.
“They’ve improved a lot,” said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich of Musgrave and the other rookie tight ends. “I think that’s one of the biggest things as we’ve gotten going. I think our run game has gotten better and better every week. They have just as much to do with that as anybody with just how they are improving.”
The transition from college to the NFL at the tight end position comes with a very steep learning curve. Over the summer, Matt LaFleur would call it the second-most difficult jump to make outside of just the quarterback position. Tight ends have a wide array of responsibilities, having to line up all over the formation while being able to impact the game like both a receiver and an offensive tackle.
When asked back in August what had been the most challenging aspect at that time for him, without hesitation, Musgrave answered the blocking component of playing tight end.
“Blocking is definitely different,” said Musgrave. “Going up against somebody like Preston Smith, which is, nothing against college guys, but they’re not as good, probably. So going up against a guy like that, or those guys, is different.
“They’re fast. They’re big. They’re physical. They’re on you quick. I want to go against those guys because those are the guys I’m going against on game day when that happens.”
Of course, there have been plenty of lumps taken along the way by Musgrave, but that game against Los Angeles is a prime example of his growth as a blocker. Since Day 1, Musgrave has always shown a willingness to do the dirty work, but on the Aaron Jones’ touchdown run, he did an excellent job of helping to create the running lane for him. Then, on Musgrave’s touchdown reception late in the game, that play worked as well as it did because he sold himself as a blocker initially.
.@Showtyme_33 takes it in for the score!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Jwat4Qj3NY
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 5, 2023
Although the run game hasn’t generated a bevy of explosive plays in recent weeks, Green Bay has routinely been able to churn out positive plays, which then benefits the rest of the offense. That ability to lean on the run game in recent weeks has helped open up opportunities in the passing game – taking some of the burden off of Jordan Love – and kept the offense out of those dreaded second and third-and-long down-and-distances.
As Stenavich also pointed out, there is still plenty of progress to be made. However, combining Musgrave’s big play ability in the passing game with an ability to hold his own as a blocker will add a layer of unpredictability to the Green Bay offense. Rather than primarily being a pass catcher or primarily being a blocker, if Musgrave can do both effectively, defenses will have a difficult time pre-snap determining what his specific responsibility is and, overall, what play the Packers might have dialed up.
“They still have a long ways to go,” added Stenavich. “There’s no doubt about that, but I do see a lot of strides those guys are making. Just holding down the edge and being physical.”
