With all of the drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers, many people have forgotten an important thing. That the NFL Draft is just over a month away. With Rodgers expected departure, this year’s NFL Draft will be even more important for the Green Bay Packers. It appears that general manager Brian Gutekunst will be pushing reset on the franchise. That means it will be crucial for him to select talent, for the present and the future. In this piece, fellow contributor for LWOPF, Jonathan Barnett, will mock the 2023 Green Bay Packers draft.
Seven-Round Green Bay Packers Mock Draft
Projecting NFL Drafts, known by most as “mock drafts”, has become a favorite pastime of Packers and NFL fans alike. While some laugh off the process, it is an important tool when it comes to which player will get their name called by their favorite NFL team.
This year, the Green Bay Packers draft is even more interesting. All signs point to the Packers having a new starting quarterback in Jordan Love. With that in mind, Gutekunst and the Packers are expected to surround Love with as much talent as possible. The reason for this is pretty simple. It was Gutekunst who traded up to select Love, if he fails, it very well might cost Gutekunst his job. Most importantly, it might put the Packers in a deep hole. One that will take years to dig out of.
Jonathan Barnett most likely had that in mind when he did up his Green Bay Packers mock draft. His projection has a very strong offensive feel. His belief is that the Packers will land the New York Jets 2023 first-round pick (number 13 overall), a player, and this year’s third-round pick in exchange for Rodgers. Barnett gave insight into why he projects each player and we will also chime in to critique each one of his picks.
First Round, 13th Overall, Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
JB: It was between TCU’s Quentin Johnston or Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba for this pick. The belief is Johnston will be off the board at 13, so Smith-Njigba is a very good runner-up prize. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs project as the Packers number one and two wide receivers. Adding Smith-Njigba will add even more speed to the wide receivers group.
LWOPF: If Rodgers was still the quarterback, we have doubts this would be the pick. But with Gutekunst trying to get Love as many weapons as possible, this will finally shut up the fans who have been begging Gutekunst to grab a wide receiver in the first round.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s change of direction is a thing of BEAUTY 😳
Njigba was taken out to dinner by the Giants the night before his Pro Day.
Njigba also said that he has Top-30 visits scheduled with the Bears, Panthers, and Saints.
The Buckeyes WR’s stock is on the RISE. pic.twitter.com/V3be7pbUGI
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 23, 2023
First Round, 15th Overall, Defensive Lineman Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
JB: This might be a gamble pick, with Van Ness and his lack of playing time at Iowa. However, he is a freak when testing and he did have production when he did play.
LWOPF: We love that edge pass rusher is the projection here. However, we have concerns about Van Ness. Sure, he is a freak, but he was a part-time player at Iowa. But the Packers did the same with Rashan Gary and it has turned out quite well for them.
Second Round, 45th Overall, Tight End Sam Laporta, Iowa
JB: Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid would be fun. But I have some reservations about them in Matt LaFleur’s offense. Sam LaPorta is athletic, stout, and I believe a better blocker than the other two. He is well-rounded and should fit in well with the Packers in this mock draft.
LWOPF: Personally, if Musgrave or Kincaid is available, either would seem to be a better selection. Still, we like Laporta and he should be a solid contributor for seasons to come.
Third Round, 74th Overall, Center Luke Wypler, Ohio State
JB: The Packers will need some help in the interior of their offensive line. Wypler will add good depth. I do believe Zach Tom will eventually kick inside. But until then, Wypler will provide depth.
LWOPF: We believe that it’s vital to bring in some competition for Josh Myers at center. But another Ohio State center? It seems to us that if you are going to grab a center this early, Michigan’s Olu Oluwatimi would be the better selection.
Fourth Round, 78th Overall, Cornerback Eli Ricks, Alabama
JB: You can’t have enough good cornerbacks in my opinion. I believe that Rasul Douglas will be moved to safety, opening a spot at cornerback.
LWOPF: We agree, you can never have enough good cornerbacks on your roster. However, even if Douglas moves to safety (which we also believe) you still have one safety spot open. It seems that finding another safety would be a better pick for the Packers in this mock draft.
Fourth Round, 116th Overall, Defensive Lineman Moro Ojomo, Texas
JB: Ojomo’s a high-motor guy who can play a two or three technique or move out to a four or five. They moved him around at Texas and he has violent hand action and a great motor upfield. Could finally be someone to place next to Kenny Clark.
LWOPF: We love this projection. With Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed departing as free agents, there is a need on the defensive line. Ojomo can play multiple positions, which should delight defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery.
Fifth Round, 149th Overall, Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
JB: O’Connell’s an NFL-style quarterback with years of film. He’s a solid guy and should be a backup for years with a chance to turn into a talent in his own right. This is a good value pick.
LWOPF: While we applaud the Ojomo pick, we can’t say the same about this Packers mock draft selection. O’Connell was a system quarterback at Purdue. He is immobile and we question his arm strength. We believe that he will be a future XFL quarterback.
Fifth Round, 170th Overall, Inside Linebacker Cam Jones, Indiana University
JB: Jones is an athletic inside linebacker who is a sure tackler. He will be a backup for now and a possible special teams contributor immediately. He also has good skill in pass coverage as a linebacker.
LWOPF: This is a solid projection. Jones has the skill set to be a solid NFL special teams player. He also has the potential to become an eventual starter on defense. De’Vondre Campbell is coming off a disappointing season. With carrying a high cap number, the Packers need to find someone to groom to possibly take over for him.
Compilation: big plays by Cam Jones vs Illinois.#iufb 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CFizcYIim2
— Saint Tom Allen (@SaintTomAllen) September 5, 2022
Seventh Round, 232nd Overall, Safety Daniel Scott, California
JB: Scott is my draft crush this season. He has a higher RAS score (9.93) than most of the safety prospects who are projected to go in the first and second rounds. He’s a solid tackler and a good blitzer as well. I believe he would fit well playing safety in Joe Barry’s scheme.
LWOPF: Daniel Scott seems like the type of prospect that fits into what Gutekunst is looking for. He has a high RAS score and also has the attributes to be a contributor to Rich Bisaccia’s special teams. The only drawback is he is a little older (24) than what the Packers look for in rookies.
Seventh Round, 235rd Overall, Defensive Lineman Devonnsha Maxwell, Tennessee-Chattanooga
JB: Devonnsha Maxwell is an interesting prospect. He’s another guy who can play from 0-5 on the defensive line. He chases down plays and has a high motor. He also does not take plays off and anchors well against double teams, but not fast or particularly explosive. He could be a solid rotational guy on the defensive line.
LWOPF: We are all for getting as many defensive linemen who can be rotational players. With Lowry and Reed departing, the Packers need bodies on the defensive line.
Seventh Round, 242nd Overall, Wide Receiver Justin Shorter, Florida
JB: Justin Shorter is another RAS prospect who has a chance to be a contributor and provide depth. He didn’t have the fastest forty-yard dash (4.55), but he has a big body and could fill roles in the offense.
LWOPF: I like what you are thinking with your later projections. Gutekunst has put an emphasis on prospects with higher RAS scores, who they can develop and become contributors. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com is pretty high on Shorter as well.
Seventh Round, 256th Overall, Running Back Camerun Peoples, Appalachian State
JB: Camerun Peoples is a depth pick and lottery ticket as a super athletic guy (9.35 RAS). Not the most purely explosive, but gives the Packers depth at running back.
LWOPF: The way that Matt LaFleur runs his offense, you can’t get enough running backs. We believe the Packers will grab a running back higher, but Peoples is a solid projection. Aaron Jones took a pay cut to return this season. But there is no guarantee that he will return next season. AJ Dillon would take over if the Packers cut ties with Jones before 2024. They need to find a backup for him.
Main Photo: Adam Cairns – USA Today Sports
