The Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Draft was an eventful one, with a boatload of picks. In a new era in Green Bay with Jordan Love taking over for Aaron Rodgers, the Packers were able to add some weapons on the offensive side of the ball as well as some intriguing defensive pieces.
The Packers drafted:
- First Round, 13th overall: Lukas Van Ness, DE
- Second Round, 42nd overall: Luke Musgrave, TE
- Second Round, 50th overall: Jayden Reed, WR
- Third Round, 78th overall: Tucker Kraft, TE
- Fourth Round, 116th overall: Colby Wooden, DT
- Fifth Round, 149th overall: Sean Clifford, QB
- Fifth Round, 159th overall: Dontayvion Wicks, WR
- Sixth Round, 179th overall: Karl Brooks, DT
- Sixth Round, 207th overall: Anders Carlson, K
- Seventh Round, 232nd overall: Carrington Valentine, CB
- Seventh Round, 235th overall: Lew Nichols III, RB
- Seventh Round, 242nd overall: Anthony Johnson Jr, S
- Seventh Round, 256th overall: Grant DuBose, WR
Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Draft Review Grade: 8.5/10
Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Draft Review: Post-Aaron Rodgers Era Begins
The Best Player: Lukas Van Ness
The big defensive end from Iowa was nicknamed “Hercules” because of his freakish strength and physique, and watching him play it’s easy to see it translate to the field. Van Ness is an absolute bulldozer with elite strength and very good athleticism to go with it. There were a lot of mixed opinions going into the draft about him, certain concerns about the rawness of the player and the lack of starting experience had many people and teams split on him.
Van Ness is a bit of a project, but his potential is worth an investment, not many people are as big and strong as him and can move with the fluidity he does. He can play outside and stop the run, but right now he is best suited as an inside pass-rusher due to his raw natural abilities and lack of polish. He can be a difference-maker for the Packers, it may just take some time.
It’s not hard to see why Lukas Van Ness is nicknamed “Hercules”. ⚡️@lukas_vanness | @HawkeyeFootball
📺: 2023 #NFLDraft — Starts Thursday 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
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The Head-Scratcher: Tucker Kraft
Jordan Love needed more weapons, but it was a little strange to see the Packers double-dip by selecting two tight ends in consecutive rounds so early. Tucker Kraft was the second tight end drafted by the Packers and is a talented player. Kraft played at South Dakota State at 6’-5”, 254 pounds, and was a man among boys against the competition he faced. He is a well-rounded player that can offer reliable blocking and is a solid receiver with some upside gaining yards after the catch. He is not a very standout athlete, but he is athletic enough to be a good player in the NFL. However, picking him in the third round after taking a tight end just a round earlier can be a bit controversial when you look at the other potential needs the Packers had.
The Surprise: Jayden Reed
Not many people were talking all that much about Jayden Reed ahead of the NFL Draft, but he could very well end up being a great pick for the Packers. Much like Packers legend Leroy Butler pointed out with the announcement of Reed, the Packers always seem to hit on wide receivers in the second round. Reed is not the biggest or fastest, but the guy is good at everything. He has the footwork that would make Dancing with The Stars jealous, and it throws cornerbacks off balance and allows for him to consistently create separation. Reed was also a player that produced some electric moments as a punt returner and made contested catches over taller defenders over his career at Michigan State. He can do it all and can be the long-term answer to the slot receiver role for the Packers.
The Steal: Anthony Johnson Jr.
It is hard to say that a player selected in the seventh round is going to be a steal, but considering a player like Anthony Johnson Jr. was receiving hype as high as Day 2 in the NFL Draft, Packers fans should have some excitement. Johnson Jr. was a long-time cornerback that recently transitioned to safety this past year for Iowa State. He impressed a lot of people last year and is an athletic safety that has no problems coming downhill and making a tackle. Johnson Jr. has the speed and explosiveness to get sideline to sideline as well as some route recognition and good agility to make plays all over the field. While he is still learning the position, as far as late-round picks go, Johnson has the chance to be an immediate contributor on a Packers defense that needs talented safeties.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden is a very solid player that can fit perfectly into the Packers 3-4 defense as someone that can flex out to the edge and contain the run. The Auburn standout played a little bit on the outside and inside of the defensive line and brought disruption everywhere he went. He has nimble feet with strong hands that make him very reactive to running backs coming his way and being able to get off his block.
His powerful hands allow him to drive back offensive linemen on impact and can throw them off-kilter in a hurry. He needs a bit more schooling with his technique as a pass-rusher, but he has the tools to shoot the gaps and be a problem for opposing guards and centers. At training camp, he should produce some buzz about his potential impact on the Packers defense next season and some excitement as well.
The Rest
I’d be remiss to not mention Luke Musgrave and his potential as one of the better receiving tight ends in the entire draft. Musgrave is a multi-sport athlete that can move extremely well for a tight end and will be a dangerous option in the middle of the field for the Packers. He needs to improve the blocking aspect of his game, but he is a great mismatch weapon for Jordan Love if he can stay healthy.
The Packers also contributed more to their offense by adding a big wide receiver from Virgina in Dontayvion Wicks, a player who fits their mold of receivers. They also added Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford to develop into their backup quarterback of the future.
In the sixth round, the Packers took another intriguing defensive lineman with inside and outside versatility in Karl Brooks from Bowling Green, as well as Auburn kicker Anders Carlson. They ended the draft with four seventh-round picks selecting Anthony Johnson Jr., and other players that figure to be fighting for special teams spots as well in Carrington Valentine, Lew Nichols III, and Grant Dubose.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
