Unpacking Future Packers: No. 15, Ohio State TE Will Kacmarek

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

With Tucker Kraft, the Green Bay Packers have one of the best tight end in the National Football League. The Timber Lake, South Dakota native may miss the beginning of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

That means the Packers will likely open the season with Luke Musgrave as the No. 1 tight end and Josh Whyle as the No. 2.

It’s a room that could use another body, even if Kraft was healthy to start the season. Throw in the fact that Musgrave is entering a contract year, and the Packers could be in the market for their long-term No. 2 option to team with Kraft.

A potential target on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Will Kacmarek. The Ohio State tight end checks in at No. 15 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A two-star recruit, Kacmarek started his college career at Ohio and during his final two seasons with the Bobcats, he recorded 42 receptions for 507 yards and two touchdowns. During his two seasons at Ohio State, Kacmarek recorded 23 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns.

“Kacmarek was among the most underrated pieces for Ohio State during the 2024 and 2025 seasons,” Stefan Krajisnik, an Ohio State reporter for Cleveland.com, said. “The Buckeyes were infatuated with his blocking, often referring to him as the best blocking tight end in the country. He’s a terrific inline tight end who can help against elite pass rushers while also holding his own against select defenders.”

Kacmarek is the best blocking tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft. He will have many fans in draft rooms because of his blocking ability. He works his tail off as a blocker. He's a physical in-line blocker and eliminates defenders when he gets out in space. He takes pride in his blocking responsibilities. He has the upper-body strength to stay engaged and keeps his legs churning at contact to generate movement. There is no doubt that he could step in on Day 1 and help a team's rushing attack. The Ohio transfer also holds his own as a pass blocker.

“Kacmarek plays with an intensity that’s fun to watch,” Krajisnik said. “His blocking is relentless, which isn’t successful just on a given play, but it also wears down defenders as the game goes on.”

The production numbers for Kacmarek won’t jump off the page. He had solid production at Ohio and then joined a stacked Buckeye offense. He was targeted 27 times during his two seasons at Ohio State and answered the bell each time his number was called. He has the size (6-5, 261 pounds) and strong hands to be a reliable asset in the passing game. He was tagged with zero drops during his two seasons with the Buckeyes.

“Kacmarek is a sneaky effective pass catcher,” Krajisnik said. “His quantity of receptions at Ohio State wasn’t eye-popping, but he had big plays in crucial moments: a 32-yard catch at Oregon, a 14-yard reception against Penn State, and a 25-yard snag in a win at Michigan.”

Kacmarek finished his college career with 356 snaps on special teams. With his toughness and passion for the physical side of the game, he has the makings of a key special teams player.

Fit with the Packers

Kacmarek is a classic Y tight end and everything the Packers need as a No. 2 or No. 3 tight end. He will be an instant contributor on special teams. He’s a bully as a run blocker and when his number is dialed in the passing game, he won’t miss the call.

“The mix of experience and relentlessness is intriguing to me,” Krajisnik said. “Ryan Day’s offense at Ohio State has developed more and more into what you see in the NFL, with various tight end packages becoming more popular. Kacmarek was at the heart of that transition. An injury hindered his 2024 campaign, but he was effective in that College Football Playoff. That momentum carried into the 2025 season.”

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 15, Ohio State TE Will Kacmarek