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Packers mock draft roundup & takeaways from Week 5 of College Football Season

By Paul Bretl

Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) runs with the ball after breaking a tackle from Ohio Bobcats safety Tariq Drake (11) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) runs with the ball after breaking a tackle from Ohio Bobcats safety Tariq Drake (11) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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It may only be Week 4 of the Green Bay Packers season, but we can still do some looking ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft as well–it is College Football Saturday, after all.

As these college football games unfold, here are a handful of names to keep your eyes on based on some recent selections for the Green Bay Packers in a few mock drafts.

Josh Edwards – CBS Sports

Pick 28: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

Takeaway: The Green Bay Packers spent a second-round pick on Christian Watson and a fourth-round pick on Romeo Doubs, but wide receiver will be a big need once again in 2023. The only receivers currently under contract next season are Watson, Doubs, Samori Toure, and Amari Rodgers.

At 5’10” – 175 pounds, Downs is very much on the lighter and smaller side from what the Packers typically covet at the receiver position. Doing most of his damage from the slot, 2021 was his breakout season as he caught 70% of his whopping 144 targets at 13.2 yards per catch with eight touchdowns per PFF ($$).

Chris Trapasso – CBS Sports

Pick 28: Parker Washington, WR, Penn State

Takeaway: To reiterate what was already said, we are going to see a lot of receivers mocked to the Packers, as we always do, and given the roster construction in 2023, it does make sense as to why. However, does that mean the Packers will finally spend a first-round pick on the position? We will have to wait and see.

Washington has primarily been a slot receiver for the Nittany Lions and measures in at 5’10” – 215. The 2021 season was Washington’s most productive as he caught 64 of 86 targets at 12.8 yards per catch with four touchdowns. He also has some experience returning kicks.

Joe Broback – Pro Football Network

Pick 29: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Takeaway: The Packers seem pretty well set at the tackle position. Presumably, Elgton Jenkins will receive a new deal at some point. David Bakhtiari is back on the field and looking good–although, for what it’s worth, the Packers can save some cap space in 2023 if they feel the need to move on from him if knee issues still linger, which would then change the outlook of the position. While Yosh Nijman will be back again on an inexpensive restricted free agent deal. The Packers also have Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Caleb Jones on the roster.

However, offensive tackle is one of the most important positions in the game and one we know the Packers value highly, so an early round selection is always in play. With that said, unless things change from what I mentioned above, I’m not so sure they spend a first-round pick on the position in 2023.

Wright is a very experienced player, already with over 2,100 career snaps and about two-thirds of the 2022 season left to play. He’s played both right and left tackle, never allowing more than 19 pressures in a season. Wright measures in at 6’6″ – 335 pounds.

Damian Parson – The Draft Network

Pick 27: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

Takeaway: An early-round offensive tackle is a very Packers-esque selection, but again, I’m not sure that’ll be the case in Round 1 in 2023. The 6’4″ – 315-pound Skoronski has spent all of his career at left tackle. He is currently one of PFF’s highest-graded tackles in the country, both as a run-blocker and pass-blocker early on in the 2022 season.

James Fragoza – Pro Football Network

Pick 28: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Takeaway: Another position the Packers value highly, like offensive tackle, but also a position the Packers seem well positioned at. Sure, you can always use more depth at cornerback, but Jaire Alexander is under contract through 2026, Rasul Douglas through 2024, and Eric Stokes 2025 if the team picks up his fifth-year option (and, yes, I know they can get out of Alexander and Douglas’ deals early if needed).

Gonzalez has a big frame at 6’2″ – 201 pounds, which again, we know is important to the Packers. He has played most of his snaps on the boundary and allowed a completion rate of 54% over his career on 110 targets at 11.5 yards per catch. Gonzalez has one interception, 10 pass breakups, and has been a reliable tackler in 2022.

All stats courtesy of PFF

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