March 24, 2026, 5:42 p.m. CT

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers used a pair of Day 2 picks on the tight end position during the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third round.

Kraft has developed into one of the top tight ends in the league and was well on his way to putting up gaudy numbers before suffering a torn ACL this past season.

Musgrave, on the other hand as failed to develop into the type of playmaker the Packers envisioned when they snagged him with the 42nd overall pick.

Kraft figures to get an extension at some point this offseason, while Musgrave could be getting ready for his final season with the Packers.

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With Musgrave failing to blossom, the Packers could look to add another tight end to the mix during the 2026 NFL Draft, with a potential target being Nate Boerkircher. The Texas A&M prospect checks in at No. 36 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A Nebraska native, Boerkircher started his college career at home with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. During his four seasons at Nebraska, his production was nothing to write home about, recording 19 receptions for 219 yards and one touchdown.

Boerkircher transferred to Texas A&M for his final season and recorded 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns.

“He was the most complete tight on the roster by a wide margin,” Kannon Torres, a contributor for Aggie Yell, said. “He was the anchor of the tight end room and the guy you could trust in short yardage, heavy formations and still get involved in the pass game. He had 19 catches and three touchdowns, most notably delivering the game-winner against Notre Dame with 13 seconds left.”

Boerkircher is going to have offensive coordinators and tight end coaches pounding the table for him on Day 3 of the draft for his ability as a blocker alone. He has a quick first step to get into his targets in a hurry and showcases some pop at contact. He keeps his man occupied. He blocks with a ton of energy and acts like a battering ram when he’s on the move.

“It almost seems like he treats blocking as his identity, not a secondary job, which is great to see from a tight end of his size,” Torres said. “From what I saw, he’s great at sealing edges and blowing up linebackers on the perimeter.”

At 6-5, Boerkircher is a large target with a huge catch radius. He tracks the ball naturally and has strong hands. He wasn’t targeted often in his career (48 targets), but when his number was called, he answered the phone (two career drops). The production numbers may not be there, however, he has the size and functional athleticism to develop into a viable target in the passing game as a team’s No. 2 tight end.

“His route running improved all season,” Torres said. “He has good feel against zones, and the hands are reliable. The Notre Dame touchdown catch under pressure wasn’t a fluke. He won’t be a featured weapon, but he’s a legit receiving option at the next level.”

Boerkircher finished his collegiate career with 452 snaps on special teams to his name and could provide an immediate impact in that department as a rookie. As a former walk-on at Nebraska, Boerkircher has the ‘dog’ mentality to do the dirty work.

Fit with the Packers

Boerkircher checks the boxes for what the Packers need from a No. 3 tight end. He’s willing to do the dirty work as a blocker and would be an asset for Green Bay’s rushing attack. He also has strong hands and the athletic ability to be a reliable weapon in the passing game when his number is called. On top of all that he’d provide an immediate impact on Green Bay’s special teams.

In the long term, he could be Kraft’s running mate if the Packers don’t re-sign Mugrave. If Musgrave enjoys a breakout season in 2026, the Packers may opt to keep him around, and Boerkircher could continue to operate as the team’s No. 3 option. Using a Day 3 pick on a player with his skill set is a good use of resources.

“Floor over ceiling guy,” Torres said. “Walk-on background, Academic All-Big Ten four times, finance degree, I mean, he’s by definition a Day 3 kind of guy you take as a baseline floor. You know what you’re getting in the run game.”

What you are getting in Borkircher is a player built to be a team’s No. 3 tight end, which is exactly what the Packers need right now. They need somebody who wants to block his tail off – that’s Borkircher. Can he help on special teams? Absolutely. With his size and athleticism, he has the potential to develop into a reliable weapon in the passing game. If he’s on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the fifth or sixth round, run the pick in.