The Green Bay Packers like to keep their draft plans close to the vest and reveal as little as possible. That’s especially true this year, as they could go several different ways with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
At 15th overall, we have some idea who will be available for Green Bay, but there’s still a lot of volatility at that point in the draft. The Packers’ needs also play a major role in their thought process. They have plenty of gaps to fill and could go in several directions to improve their roster. Some of their significant needs include wide receiver, tight end, and safety. However, offensive or defensive line and outside linebacker aren’t out of the picture in the first.
The Athletic has what they call a consensus Big Board where they combine rankings from a plethora of draft experts to give us an idea of where players could land in the draft. I use that to determine which players are rising up draft boards and should be re-considered for the Packers’ top pick.
Could the Green Bay Packers target one of these three late-rising prospects with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
Several offensive tackles could be in play for Green Bay in the first round. It may seem like an odd route to go considering they have David Bakhtiari and Zach Tom on the roster. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst likes to draft for the future and there’s no saying how much longer Bakhtiari will be around in Green Bay.
This would be a classic swing for the fences pick by Gutekunst. Jones is supremely athletic, with an upside as high as any offensive tackle in this class. It would be best for him to sit for a year or two to develop and hone his craft. That’s precisely what the Packers can offer. He rose two spots in the latest consensus draft board and is 20th overall.
Brian Branch, Safety, Alabama
Branch is likely the only safety in consideration for the Packers in the first round. He’s small for a defensive back at 6-foot and 190 pounds, but is as versatile as they come. He can line up in multiple positions, including near the line of scrimmage, in the slot, and as the deep man. He’s extremely intense, which helps to make up for his lack of elite athleticism. He rose two spots and is 16th.
Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah
The Packers could very well go with a tight end in the first round despite my protests. Michael Mayer and Darnell Washington get most of the attention, but we shouldn’t sleep on Kincaid. He’s a supreme threat in the passing game where his athleticism and hands garner a lot of attention, but his route-running is also top-tier. The biggest knock on him is his blocking. He rose five spots and is 23rd overall.