Packers: Five hopes and dreams for first round of 2023 NFL Draft

Nov 13, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes the catch during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes the catch during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Green Bay Packers have been preparing for the first round for a long while now, and the time is here. What will they do with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?

Rumors have slowly been leaking out since they acquired the 13th overall pick, including every scenario from trading up to trading down to standing pat. Who knows what will actually happen?

I do know Green Bay has a preference for how the first round plays out. If I had to guess, here are their five hopes and dreams for Thursday night.

The Green Bay Packers have hopes and dreams about how the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft will play out, and it probably looks like this.

Four quarterbacks go within the first 11 picks

The Packers aren’t going to use their top selection on a quarterback, even if one falls to them at 13. Therefore, it’s better for them if the quarterbacks go early and often. There’s been some recent chatter about where Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud and Will Levis go. As long as they go within the first 11 picks (the Tennessee Titans hold the eleventh selection), the Packers will be happy.

Bijan Robinson is drafted in the top 10

Green Bay also wouldn’t (nor shouldn’t) use a first-round pick on a running back. Bijan Robinson is seen as one of the best players available in the entire draft, even if you’re not supposed to use a first-rounder on a running back anymore. The Atlanta Falcons love to select the best player available and could be a real landing spot at eight.

Peter Skoronski goes in the top 12

The Packers and Peter Skornoski have been connected. He would be a nice get for Green Bay if he were to slip that far, but let’s hope another team gobbles him up. The Packers could very well use their top pick on an offensive lineman or offensive tackle, but let someone else grab Skornski ahead of Green Bay.

Will Anderson, Jalen Carter, Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, Nolan Smith, and Tyree Wilson go in the top 12

Most of these guys are projected to go in the top ten or 12, so this isn’t anything new. However, when we combine these six players going before Green Bay combined with the previous six, it means one particular player has fallen to 13…

Next. Packers rumors: 3 reported first-round targets and trades. dark

Packers select Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 13

All of that just to grab Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 13? Absolutely. Smith-Njigba should be the Packers’ primary target entering the draft and the above picks represent the most realistic path to him falling to 13. He’s a perfect complement to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs and would give Jordan Love another reliable wide receiver in his first year as the starter. This is the way.