The 2023 Green Bay Packers NFL Draft is in the books. For Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, it was a busy one. Over three days Gutekunst and the Packers made 13 selections. For a team that is “resetting” after the trade of Aaron Rodgers, this draft was a vital one for the Packers. The Packers were looking to get younger and replenish the Packers roster. It appears, in some fashion, they did just that.
Grading Every Pick of the 2023 Green Bay Packers Draft Class
While experts such as Mel Kiper Jr. annually hand out letter grades after the conclusion of drafts, this grading system is different. Handing out letter grades for draft classes is impossible. These young prospects have never played a down in the NFL. Fans and even the teams really will not get a good understanding of these players for at least two seasons.
Instead of the letter grade system, this article uses a very simple straight-to-the-point grading system. The draft grade compares draft experts’ projections to where the Green Bay Packers drafted prospects. If the player went too early, they get a “reach” grade. If they go where the Packers drafted as expected, then they get a “picked as expected” grade. Finally, if Gutekunst and his staff got great value, they get a “steal” grade. Here is how the 2023 Green Bay Packers draft class grades out.
Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, 13th Overall
As previously broken down, the selection of Lukas Van Ness was not much of a surprise. Van Ness possesses everything that Gutekunst and his staff value. He is young, plays a premium position, and has a lot of upside. Also, he plays on defense, and that is something Gutekunst has demonstrated he values with the Packers first-round pick.
NFL.com’s draft expert Lance Zierlein projected Van Ness to go in the first round, right where the Packers selected him. It has been speculated that the Philadelphia Eagles had their eye on him until Georgia’s Jalen Carter slid down the draft. Also, it appears the New England Patriots had an eye on him. Once the Packers selected him, the Patriots traded out of the 14th spot. Both moves indicate that Gutekunst got Van Ness right where they were supposed to.
Grade: Picked as Expected
Luke Musgrave, Tight End, 42nd Overall
The Packers were in dire need of tight-end help. After neglecting the position for so long, and being left with just Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis as their top tight ends, Gutekunst needed to find a tight end early.
Luke Musgrave, like most of the Green Bay Packers draft class, has a lot of upside. He played in just two games for Oregon State in 2022, but his ability to run and catch the ball impressed Gutekunst. Due to the lack of depth, it would not be surprising if Musgrave is an instant starter. Walterfootball.com projected Musgrave to go in the second or third round.
Grade: Picked as Expected
Jayden Reed, Wide Receiver, 50th Overall
Many Packers fans will remember how Gutekunst bypassed wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to select Van Ness. Smith Njigba was the top-ranked wide receiver in the draft and would have been a valuable third piece to go along with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
Instead, he waited until the second round to grab a wide receiver. Jayden Reed is not nearly the prospect Smith-Njigba is. However, he has some tools to become a solid slot wide receiver. He also has the capability of being a primary kickoff and punt returner. But with Keiseasn Nixon already in the fold, it does not seem that he will have a chance to show those skills.
However, it appears that not everyone shared the same views as Gutekunst. Zierlein had Reed projected to go in the fourth or fifth round.
Grade: Reach
Tucker Kraft, Tight End, 78th Overall
As highlighted earlier, the depth at tight end for the Packers was laughable heading into the draft. Musgrave filled one spot, but the Packers needed more than just one tight end for the group.
Tucker Kraft was a standout at South Dakota State. He had opportunities to go to other Power-5 schools after his junior season, but he stayed loyal. It can be argued, he is more of a total package than Musgrave. Some have written that Kraft’s selection was a head-scratcher, but obviously, those writers do not follow the Packers. Watlerfootball.com had him slotted to be picked in either the second or third round.
Grade: Picked as Expected
Colby Wooden, Defensive Line, 116th Overall
There are two positions Gutekunst received a “steal” in their attempt to upgrade; one was tight end and the other was the defensive line. Colby Wooden and his selection really upgrade the defensive line position.
The defensive line was another need entering the draft. Wooden has the ability to get to the passer and he can line up at multiple positions. He should be a big part of the rotation in 2023. Zierlein projected him to be selected in the second or third round.
Grade: Steal
Sean Clifford, Quarterback, 149th Overall
We gave our opinion of the selection of Sean Clifford on the recent Sconnie Jonny podcast. Not only do we believe that his selection was the worst one in the Green Bay Packers draft class, but the worst one in the NFL Draft.
Sure Clifford started a lot of games at Penn State. But he was surrounded by a ton of talent but still lost big games. If Gutekunst did not want to draft a quarterback that would truly compete with Jordan Love, he found his guy. But he could have signed an undrafted free agent to do so. This selection was a massive reach. Walterfootball.com ranked him as the 16th overall quarterback prospect, slotting him in the seventh round or as an undrafted free agent.
Grade: Reach
Dontavyion Wicks, Wide Receiver, 159th Overall
Gutekunst does not have a good track record in selecting wide receivers (excluding the selections of Watson and Doubs). But Dontavyion Wicks might have a chance to break that.
Wicks had a better 2021 than 2022. But that could have been due to a coaching change. He has good size and burst but has questionable hands. But for a fifth-round pick, that is something the Packers coaching staff can work on. Coaches cannot teach size and speed, something that Wicks has. Zierlein had him slotted for the fifth round.
Grade: Picked as Expected
Karl Brooks, Defensive Line, 179th Overall
The Karl Brooks selection at 179th overall is as great as the Wooden pick. He was a machine playing in the MAC conference. Similar to Wooden, he has the ability to line up inside and outside. He played at 296 pounds, but he moves much quicker than some would expect.
Even at 296 pounds, Brooks might be able to line up as a 3-4 outside linebacker as well as a 4-3 defensive end. With the addition of Van Ness, Wooden, and Brooks, it appears that defensive coordinator Joe Barry might utilize some 4-3 this season Zierlein projected Brooks to go in the sixth or seventh round.
Grade: Picked as Expected
Anders Carlson, Kicker, 207th Overall
It seems that special teams coordinator Rich Bisaacia has his fingerprints on a lot of these picks. The selection of Anders Carlson makes it appear that the Mason Crosby era is over.
The brother of Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Anders is a very tall kicker at 6’5″. He battled injuries, which is not a good sign for a drafted kicker. Bisaascia worked his magic with Daniel, hopefully, he can do the same thing with Anders. Walterfootball.com had him rated as the fourth kicker, projected to go either in the seventh round or as an undrafted free agent.
Grade: Reach
Carrington Valentine, Cornerback, 232nd Overall
Carrington Valentine is a very solid press corner. However, Barry, even with a roster full of solid press corners, has been reluctant to play press coverage. But if Barry finally coaches the talent the way he should, Valentine has a chance to be an eventual contributor.
Again, this pick can be linked to Bisaacia. Valentine has the skill set to be a solid NFL special teamer. Zierline had Valentine pegged as a priority undrafted free agent.
Grade: Reach
Lew Nichols, Running Back, 235th Overall
Aaron Jones, the Packers top running back, took a pay cut to return this season. Many believe 2023 will be his last season as a Packer, even though he is still the most productive running back on the roster. AJ Dillon is expected to eventually take over for Jones as the top ball carrier, so the Packers need to find Dillon’s eventual backup.
Lew Nichols could be that player who could do so. He is a solidly built running back. He rushed for over 3,000 yards while at Central Michigan. Nichols also displayed that he can be a weapon out of the backfield. Zierlein projected him to be an undrafted priority-free agent.
Grade: Reach
Anthony Johnson, Safety, 242nd Overall
Safety was a weak position for this year’s draft. The Packers need safety help, badly, but they were not going to find a long-term starter in this draft. But the selection of Anthony Johnson is interesting. He started out as a cornerback at Iowa State but became a safety late in his career. He has a chance to make the team as a special teamer but could develop into a starter down the road. Zierlein gave Johnson a fifth-round grade.
Grade: Steal
Grant Dubose, Wide Receiver, 256th Overall
Out of all the 2023 Green Bay Packers Draft picks, Grant Dubose was the most intriguing. He started out in junior college before ending up at Charlotte. In his two seasons at Charlotte, he hauled in 126 passes and had 16 touchdown receptions. In the film, he plays reminiscent of former Packer James Jones, but with better hands. Packers fans should keep an eye on him as he develops. Zierlein had Dubose going in the sixth or seventh round.
Grade: Steal
Main Image: Samantha Madar / USA TODAY NETWORK
