Packers 7 round mock draft following Aaron Rodgers trade

It has happened. Aaron Rodgers has been traded to the New York Jets. In return for Rodgers, the Packers received the 13th, 42nd, and 207th picks in the 2023 draft, along with a conditional 2024 second-round pick. In addition to Rodgers, Green Bay would send the 15th and 170th picks to the Jets.

This now gives the Packers 11 picks overall, including a pair of second-rounders and four within the top 100. Green Bay does have a number of positional needs to address, but having three picks on Day 2 is a good start, as that is where the strength of this draft class is at several key positions.

Using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, I put together a seven-round mock draft with the Packers’ newly acquired draft capital. Here is how things turned out.

Pick 15: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network would report that by moving to pick 13, it will be easier for Green Bay to secure Smith-Njigba, which I was able to do in this scenario. With Christian Watson able to stretch the field, Smith-Njigba is the perfect compliment to work underneath with his refined route-running abilities. He will spend most of his time in the slot and can be a high-volume target for Jordan Love.

Pick 42: Mazi Smith, IDL, Michigan

At the moment, the Packers have only five interior defensive linemen on the roster, with just three having seen NFL playing time. Smith will immediately become a member of the Packers’ interior defensive line rotation and has the ability to take on double teams and eat up space, which will help create opportunities for other defenders.

Pick 45: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

An injury shortened what looked like an incoming 2022 breakout season for Musgrave, but he possesses the upside to be a dynamic pass-catching presence, something the Packers need terribly. Musgrave also has over 500 career snaps as a zone blocker, which is important, but his presence will be felt more the passing game.

Pick 78: Isaiah McGuire, Edge, Missouri

As a rookie, McGuire will likely be utilized as a situational pass rusher, putting him in advantageous situations where he can get after the quarterback with his power. In two seasons with Missouri, McGuire recorded 72 pressures and 13 sacks.

Pick 116: Carter Warren, OT, Pitt

Warren needs time to develop, which is just fine, as the Packers have David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, and Zach Tom as tackle options in 2023. However, both Bakhtiari and Nijman could be gone next offseason. Warren played in only four games in 2022 with an injury but has the size and length teams covet at the tackle position.

Pick 149: Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan

The Packers need more unpredictability at tight end after each member of the 2022 roster had very defined roles. Schoonmaker is someone who can impact both the running game as a blocker and the passing game with his reliability. Also important, he can be moved around the formation, spending 26% of his career snaps in the slot.

Pick 207: Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State

A former cornerback turned safety in 2022, Johnson brings added versatility to the Packers’ secondary. He was a willing run defender at Iowa State, and with his cornerback experience, he’s very capable in coverage. Although upgrades are needed, the Packers have enough options at safety where Johnson doesn’t have to be a Day 1 starter.

Pick 232: Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepard

Brian Gutekunst said on Monday that the Packers needed to add for sure a third quarterback to the roster and possibly a fourth. He also added that Green Bay always does its quarterback homework when it comes to the draft, so a selection on the position feels inevitable. Bagent is an accomplished college quarterback, throwing for 5,000 yards in 2021 and nearly 4,600 in 2022. He threw 94 touchdowns to 21 interceptions during that span and has a career completion percentage of almost 70%.

Pick 235: Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern

Aaron Jones could be released for salary cap purposes next offseason while AJ Dillon is set to be a free agent. Matt LaFleur has also discussed the value of having a third running on the roster to lean on as well. Hull would total nearly 2,000 rushing yards between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but he was also college football’s leading pass catcher at the running back position this past season as well. His well-rounded skill set and ability to move around the formation makes him a very good fit for LaFleur.

Pick 242: Matt Landers, WR, Arkansas

In a perfect world, I would have added a second receiver sooner, but with other needs to address and how the board fell, it never worked out that way. But still, a receiver room with Watson, Smith-Njigba, Romeo Doubs, and either Landers or Samori Toure as the fourth option (and maybe a veteran signing) is a strong foundation. From a height, weight, and athleticism standpoint, Landers is exactly what the Packers look for at receiver.

Pick 256: Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan

Witt has played just one season at offensive tackle, so he’s very raw from a skill-set standpoint, but he impressed at the NFL combine and comes with a ton of upside, which is what you are looking for at this stage of the draft–not to mention that Gutekunst loves to load up on offensive linemen in the draft. Again, there is uncertainty at offensive tackle in 2024, and Green Bay can try to get ahead of that by developing Witt.