5 realistic first-round draft prospects Packers could select
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft promises to be unpredictable for the Green Bay Packers. There are several positions they could target and several players at each of those positions who could fall to them.
Drafting at 15th overall this season, they’ll have an excellent opportunity to pick from a couple of guys they like. Typically, Green Bay prefers to target high-end athletes with loads of potential in the first round. We’ll see if they follow that draft profile again this year.
Without further ado, here are five players who fit what they like in prospects, are at positions of need, and should be available when Green Bay is on the clock.
The Green Bay Packers have a realistic opportunity to select any of these five prospects in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Like many of the prospects on this list, Broderick Jones is an athletic freak. He’s 6-5 and 311 pounds and runs a sub-5-second 40-yard dash. He’s swift and agile for a human being his size. He’s also jacked full of muscle and takes care of his body. He still needs to work on his fundamentals, but the upside is there. He could sit for a year in Green Bay as he refines his skills and then take over as the long-term left tackle.
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
Darnell Wright is a late-riser up draft boards and has slowly but surely come into focus for Packers’ fans on social media. Where Jones projects on the left side, Wright is probably best kept at right tackle. However, he could start from Day 1, freeing up Zach Tom to compete for the starting right guard position.
Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Green Bay loves versatility, and Lukas Van Ness is as versatile as they come. His primary position projects to be on the edge, where he can get after the quarterback thanks to his burst off the line of scrimmage and strength. However, he can also slide inside and help on the defensive line. Considering the Packers have needs at both spots, Van Ness could intrigue them.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
I’ll admit, this is the most unlikely pick in this group. As the best wide receiver in this class, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has slowly been working his way toward the top 10 on most NFL Draft Big Boards. However, he’d be a homerun pick for Green Bay in the first round. He compliments Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs perfectly–he can play in the slot, has tremendous hands and is a great route-runner.
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Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
Myles Murphy is the perfect example of the type of athlete Green Bay loves. He has the size, length, and athleticism that will allow him to start from Day 1–something the Packers might need if Rashan Gary isn’t ready right away. The Packers could also line him up at multiple positions. He’ll need some time to perfect his craft and figure out how to finish plays, but he’d be a great addition.