Packers mock draft roundup before Week 1 of College Football Season
By Paul Bretl
The 2023 NFL Draft is a long ways off for the Green Bay Packers, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t begin taking a look ahead.
Mock drafts are now a year-round endeavor for many draft analysts, and while at this time of the year, we shouldn’t be looking at them for accuracy — that is an impossible task as so much is going to change — what they can provide us with are players to keep an eye on throughout the college football season.
So with Week 1 of the college season underway, here is a look at who several draft analysts have the Packers selecting in the 2023 NFL draft.
Kevin Hanson – Sports Illustrated
Pick 27: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
Takeaway: Preston Smith signed an extension, and Rashan Gary is in-store for one, but the edge depth is one of the biggest concerns on this 2022 Packers team–it’s also one of the most important positions in football.
Last season, Wilson logged 37 pressures, including six sacks, according to PFF ($$), and in addition to lining up in the traditional edge rusher role, he was also utilized inside.
Nick Baumgardner and Nate Tice – The Athletic ($$)
Pick 31: Brian Branch, S, Alabama
Takeaway: There are already question marks around the safety depth for the 2022 season and it’s a position for the Packers that will be in flux next offseason with Darnell Savage the only player under contract for 2023 currently.
Branch is listed as a safety, but 411 of his snaps in 2021 came from the slot. He allowed 37 completions on 55 targets at 10.2 yards per catch. He also had four pass breakups and didn’t miss a single tackle in 56 attempts.
Doug Farrar – Touchdown Wire
Pick 28: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Takeaway: The offensive tackle position will be an interesting one for the Packers next offseason. What happens with David Bakhtiari? Can Yosh Nijman or Zach Tom be the next long-term starter at the position if needed?
Freeland already has 1,830 career snaps even before the 2022 season begins for BYU. During that span, he has allowed only two sacks and 24 pressures, with never more than 11 in a season. He spent 2019 and 2020 at right tackle, but the 2021 season was as the left tackle.
Brentley Weissman – The Draft Network
Pick 26: Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
Takeaway: Again, safety will be a need for the Packers, even if Amos is re-signed. I thought that it could have been an early-round target for them in this past draft. Johnson played 800 snaps in 2021, most of which came in the slot.
He allowed a completion rate of 66% on 62 targets but at just 5.6 yards per catch with a pass breakup and an interception. Johnson also had five pressures and was an active tackler.
Luke Easterling – Draft Wire
Pick 28: Javion Cohen, IOL, Alabama
Takeaway: Just based on the position, this already seems like an unlikely position for the Packers as they are already loaded with young talent inside, including Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, and Zach Tom, if needed.
During the 2021 season, Cohen allowed no sacks and 34 pressures at left guard for the Crimson Tide. By PFF’s grading system, he was a more effective run-blocker.
Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network
Pick 28: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Takeaway: Another Alabama selection for the Packers and another safety–which, again, makes sense, given the positional need next offseason. Battle is more of a true safety compared to the other players mentioned and already has nearly 2,200 snaps in three seasons, playing all over the field for Alabama.
In coverage, he has held opponents to 8.3 yards per catch with a catch rate of 64% on 89 targets. Battle also has five interceptions, eight pass breakups, and 176 total tackles.
Cam Mellor – Pro Football Network
Pick 29: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
Takeaway: A first-round edge rusher always feels like an in-play selection for the Packers, given their draft history, but that especially seems true given the unknowns behind Gary and Smith on the depth chart.
In 2021, Anudike-Uzomah recorded 43 pressures, 13 of which were sacks, and 36 stops–or plays that end in a “loss” for the offense. He was also one of PFF’s highest-graded pass rushers.
All stats courtesy of PFF.com