Packers perspective on each position in 2023 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers have 10 picks currently in the 2023 NFL Draft and a number of needs to address.

Truthfully, there are very few positions that don’t need to be added to in some capacity this offseason. However, as we all know, the Packers won’t be able to tackle every need with a premier player.

Like every year, Green Bay will have to strike a balance between addressing key needs for 2023, and hopefully finding an impact player or two, along with planning ahead for the future, while ultimately trying to add the best football players to their team, regardless of position in some instances.

With the draft now just a few weeks away, here is a position-by-position look at the 2023 NFL Draft with what you need to know from the perspective of the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback

– Once Aaron Rodgers is traded, the Packers are going to have only two quarterbacks on the roster–meaning that they are going to add at least two quarterbacks this offseason, whether that be some combination of utilizing free agency, in the draft, or signing an undrafted rookie.

– I do expect one of those quarterback additions to come through the draft, although my thought is that it won’t be until Day 3. Now, with that said, Brian Gutekunst has thrown us for a loop on a few occasions, and it’s worth noting that prior to Rodgers’ first season as a starter in 2008, Ted Thompson drafted Brian Brohm in the second round, and Matt Flynn in the seventh.

Running back

– AJ Dillon is a free agent in 2024, and Aaron Jones could very well end up as a cap casualty next offseason due to his large cap hit, so drafting a running back is very much in play. As far as when that might occur, Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com have both discussed how deep this running back class is in the middle rounds.

– Whether it be a running back or a receiver, the Packers adding a true gadget player to this offense should be on Gutekunst’s radar. It’s a role that has a place in the Matt LaFleur offense, and with Jordan Love at quarterback, I expect more pre-snap motion this season, giving a gadget-type player more opportunities. With the right player, there will be big play potential, and with the attention he draws before the snap, that motion can create opportunities for others, not to mention taking some of the burden off of Love.

Wide Receiver

– With only five receivers on the roster, just two of which have over 150 career NFL snaps, the Packers simply need more depth at the position. With 10 draft picks as of now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers select at least two receivers.

– Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Ohio State feels like the only real option for Green Bay when it comes to taking a first-round receiver, and that’s if he makes it to pick 15. A potential Day 2 prospect that is a very Packers-esque pick and can win at multiple levels is Tennessee’s, Cedric Tillman.

– With Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs taking on larger route-running roles, finding another vertical threat should be on the Packers’ radar. Having that element alongside Watson and Doubs will help create space underneath for them. A few options include Jalin Hyatt, Marvin Mims, Dontayvion Wicks, and Quentin Johnston.

– The Packers have deviated from these thresholds at times, but they love their bigger-bodied receivers. Most draft picks are at least 6’0″ and 195 pounds.

Tight End

– This is arguably the Packers’ biggest need, but I’m not so sure that they spend a first-round pick on the position. With most tight ends taking at least two years, and sometimes three, to really make an impact in the NFL, in terms of value, waiting until Day 2 to address the need makes sense, given that the likelihood of finding an immediate impact player before then just hasn’t been likely. This is also a very deep tight end class, that will have a lot of quality options beyond the first round.

– With only Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, and two practice squad players on the roster, make sure you are picking two tight ends in the mock drafts you’re doing because that’s what the Packers are going to do.

Interior Offensive Lineman

– This is just not a big need whatsoever–the Packers have a number of options on the roster already. But with that said, you can bet that Gutekunst is going to address the offensive line as he always does. The Packers historically have had a lot of success drafting offensive tackles on Day 3 of the draft and moving them inside.

Offensive Tackle

– It’s not a huge need on paper, but a position that I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers address early on if the right player is on the board. Next offseason, Yosh Nijman is a free agent, and David Bakhtiari could be released in favor of the salary cap savings–making tackle a somewhat big need at that point.

– With the draft being about planning ahead, taking a tackle in 2023 does make sense, not to mention that it would add competition and flexibility to this year’s unit. The rookie could end up competing with Nijman at right tackle while Zach Tom competes for a starting spot at center or right guard. Any potential success that Love is going to have this season begins up front, so putting the best possible offensive line around him is a must.

– An important threshold to take note of is that going back to the Ted Thompson days, when the Packers draft a prospect they want to be a tackle, that player had at least 33-inch arms.

Interior Defensive Lineman

– Another position short on depth with only five players on the roster, including just three with NFL experience. This is a heavily rotated position, with four or five players seeing regular playing time each week.

– A Day 2 selection at this position feels very much in play for the Packers, as there should be a number of options available to them during this portion of the draft. A big part of the defense’s success late in 2022 was because of the play up front. The interior defensive line was getting more regular pressure and holding up much better against the run. The best way to wreck any offensive play is with quick pressure up the middle.

Edge Rusher

– I’ve said since the offseason began that if I had to predict what position the Packers were going to select at pick 15, it would be edge rusher, and I still feel that way. It’s a premier position, a need for the Packers, and a draft class loaded with options, all of which will tempt Gutekunst when Green Bay is on the clock. Improved play against the run and more consistent pressure is a must for this unit in 2023, especially not knowing when Rashan Gary will return.

– Typically, the Packers prefer big-bodied pass-rushers, often over 260 pounds, but I’ll be interested to see if they go for a change of pace, bringing in a faster, smaller body type. They did just re-sign Justin Hollins and are hosting Will McDonald for a pre-draft visit.

Linebacker

– This is not a need at all for the Green Bay Packers right now. The only way I see them taking a linebacker is late on Day 3 when teams are really just looking to take the best player available. A player who tested very well athletically and has special teams experience is someone who I could see the Packers selecting late in the draft.

– With only four linebackers on the roster, even if there aren’t any roster spots available, the Packers need at least two more linebackers added for training camp and the preseason, whether that’s through a late round draft pick or UDFA signing.

Cornerback

– The need at cornerback isn’t the same as at edge rusher, but for similar reasons, I could see Brian Gutekunst spending a first-round pick on the right player. This is a premier position, and a deep draft class at the position. Odds are that when the Packers are on the clock at 15, there will be a few intriguing options for them.

– Adding a top cornerback would allow the Packers to move Rasul Douglas to safety, which is a big question mark, along with adding competition in the slot for Keisean Nixon, while bolstering the overall depth with Eric Stokes out injured.

Safety

– Unfortunately, this is not a good year to be needing a safety. Overall, this is not a position that did all that well at the NFL Combine. On top of that, only one safety is in the top 50 of PFF’s prospect rankings, while NFL.com has this position group ranked 10th out of 11 in this year’s draft.

– Although a big need, I’m not so sure the Packers take a safety early on. There is certainly room for upgrades at the position, but with how Gutekunst has constructed the roster, he’s put himself in a position where taking a safety early on isn’t a must. One of the worst things a team can do in the draft is taking a player just for the sake of trying to check a box.

– If the Packers do draft a safety, they need someone who can fill the more traditional safety role that can play deep or in the box, not another slot cornerback back–Green Bay already has several options on the roster at that position.

Kicker

– Only Parker White, who has no NFL experience, is on the roster, and it doesn’t sound like Mason Crosby will be back for financial reasons. Either drafting a kicker or, at the very least, signing an undrafted rookie or two will be happening. As the Packers find themselves in a bit of a transition, along with a number of other items, trying to find their kicker of the future should be high on the priority list.