6 Realistic Green Bay Packers Draft Predictions
By Paul Bretl
While bold predictions often dominate the headlines, I wanted to make some more realistic predictions for the Green Bay Packers when it comes to the upcoming NFL Draft–which is now just a week away.
Of course, just because I see these predictions as realistic doesn’t mean they will come true — it is the NFL Draft and Brian Gutekunst making the selections, after all — but I believe that there is at least a decent chance of each one taking place. It will also be fun to circle back and see how many — or if any — of these predictions came true.
Prediction No. 1: Green Bay Packers select one WR in the first two rounds
Wide receiver is certainly the biggest need on this roster, and fortunately, the Packers have four selections within the first two rounds of the draft. However, even with that many premium picks and the need at the position being quite large, I believe that they only select one receiver during that portion of the draft.
I’ll get to it more in a bit, but I do believe there is a decent possibility that Green Bay trades up at some point in the first round, and doing so, could cost them one of their second-round picks, depending on how far they move up.
And while receiver may be the biggest need, it is not the only need either. Green Bay needs a reliable third edge rusher — also more on this shortly — and this draft class is very deep at that position. Safety and tight end are big needs as well, with only Vernon Scott and Josiah Deguara as the only players under contract at each of those positions in 2023. Meanwhile, David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman are the only healthy offensive tackle options currently, and it’s never a bad idea to add to the interior defensive line position either.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers don’t feel the need to spend two of their premium picks on the position. Green Bay very well could feel comfortable going into the season with Sammy Watkins, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, an early-round pick like George Pickens, and then a mid-round deep threat such as Tyquan Thornton, for example. In short, the desire to address the position may be far greater outside the organization than within.