Forget those fantasy busts who burned you last year, because Tucker Kraft is about to flip the script and own the tight end position. This dude is being ranked as the TE3 overall for 2026, right behind Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, and if you’re not ready for that, you’re sleeping on a monster rebound that will win you leagues.
ACL Tear? Tucker Kraft’s Comeback Is Built Different
You know the drill, a major injury takes a guy out and everyone forgets about him. Not this time! Kraft was TE21 in 2025, but get this, he was the *overall TE1* in total fantasy points with 98.2 and 14.0 points per game through his first seven games before tearing his ACL. That’s insane production! We’re talking about a player who reminds the experts of “prime George Kittle” with his big-play efficiency. Seriously, how often do you see a tight end who’s an explosive play threat? Kraft scores a touchdown every 10.3 targets, which is the second-best rate by *any* player with 150+ targets over the last three seasons, only behind Mark Andrews. He’s already back in 11-on-11 team drills and is on track to play in the season opener. Yeah, there’s talk of a “pitch count” early, but honestly, I don’t see his production taking a hit. He is arguably the Packers’ most efficient offensive weapon, right up there with the occasional Christian Watson deep shot. This guy is going to eat early and just get stronger as the season rolls on.
Joe Burrow’s Back and The League Knows What’s Coming
Then there’s Joe Burrow. The man finished as QB29 in 2025 after missing a whopping nine games. You’d think he’d be the shoe-in for AP Comeback Player of the Year, right? Well, maybe it’s because he’s already won it *twice* before, in 2021 and 2024! Seriously, the guy is a comeback machine. Both of those years, after missing a big chunk of the previous season, he not only won CPOY but was also a top MVP candidate. We’re talking 4,600+ passing yards and 34+ touchdowns in those seasons. He was the fantasy QB8 in his 2021 breakout and then the fantasy QB3 in 2024. If you look at his last five years since that 2021 explosion, his 17-game pace is a ridiculous 4,600 yards and 36-37 touchdown passes. It’s almost not even worth arguing, Burrow *will* rebound. He always does.
So yeah, don’t be that person who writes these guys off. Tucker Kraft and Joe Burrow aren’t just rebound candidates, they’re season-defining picks who are about to light it up. Get ready to draft smart, because these two are going to make some serious noise this year!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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