5 realistic second-round draft prospects for Packers

We all have a pretty good handle on who the Green Bay Packers could select in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (in case you want a refresher, here are five realistic targets), but who could they grab in the second round?

Currently, Green Bay has the 45th overall pick, which falls in the second round. They could add the 42nd or 43rd pick if they complete a trade with the New York Jets for Aaron Rodgers before this year’s draft.

For now, let’s focus on five realistic targets for the Packers at 45th overall.

The Green Bay Packers have a realistic opportunity to select any of these five prospects in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

I’m a big proponent of the Packers avoiding a tight end in the first round. However, the second round is a better place for that. He’s a bit on the smaller side, but that doesn’t deter him from crossing the middle of the field. He would be a nice safety valve for Jordan Love and give him another playmaker after the catch.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State

Green Bay could easily add an edge rusher in the early rounds, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a prime Day 2 target. He has good size and a deep array of pass-rushing moves that would allow him to pressure the quarterback from Day 1. At 21-years-old, he still has room to grow.

Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin

Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed walked in free agency, leaving the Packers very thin at the defensive line. They took Devonte Wyatt in the first round last year, so we know they aren’t afraid to target a defensive lineman early in the draft. Keeanu Benton can flip the script up front for the Packers, giving them an athletic pass-rusher who can get after the quarterback from the interior.

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee

If the Packers don’t add a wide receiver in the first, they should strongly consider taking one in the second. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubbs are a good start at the position, but more depth is needed. Jalin Wyatt would give Green Bay another deep threat in the shades of DeSean Jackson. He needs to add muscle and work on his route-running, but defenses must respect his deep-ball ability.

Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

We’ll end this list with the same position we started. Musgrave is a high-risk, high-reward player who looks better on paper than he did on the field. He has great speed and should be able to exploit the seam based on that factor alone. He also has great size at 6-foot-6 and, theoretically speaking, should combine those skills to become one of the best pass-catching tight ends in this class. His on-the-field production is an entirely different story.