Packers 2023 Draft Review: WR Grant DuBose
By Paul Bretl
Rounding out my 2023 draft review for the Green Bay Packers, I arrive at their final selection, where the team took Charlotte wide receiver, Grant Dubose.
In this series, I have been going through all 13 of the Packers’ draft picks, examining each player’s measurables, their important college stats that you need to know, along with their fit on this Packers team. I also have draft day quotes from Brian Gutekunst, other members of the organization, or the players themselves, and a pre-draft scouting report from NFL.com.
If you’ve missed any of the previous reviews, you can find them below.
Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte
Measurements
6’2″ | 201 | RAS: 8.79
DuBose fits the typical big-bodied mold that the Green Bay Packers have often preferred at the receiver position throughout the years, standing over 6’2” and weighing 200-plus pounds. Overall, he tested good athletically, but not great, which included a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, along with solid scores in the explosion and agility tests. On tape, DuBose was not someone who drew a ton of separation or created a ton of big plays.
Stats to Know
Most of DuBose’s college production came over the last two seasons, where he was a high-volume boundary target for Charlotte. During that span, he caught 60% of his 208 targets at 13.6 yards per catch with 15 touchdowns. DuBose’s production across both seasons was fairly consistent. As already mentioned, DuBose didn’t generate many explosive plays, catching just five passes of 20-plus yards between the two seasons, although he was very good at making contested catches. His 4.8 YAC average would rank 55th this past season. DuBose has experience as a run-blocker, with nearly 550 career snaps, and for what it’s worth, graded out well in that area, according to PFF’s grading system. He also has 10 career punt return attempts, averaging 8.9 yards per return.
Fit with Packers
On a 53-man roster where the Packers very well could keep six receivers, DuBose may likley end up as No. 6 to at least begin the season. He will be competing with Bo Melton, Jeff Cotton, and others for a roster spot, but under Brian Gutekunst, the Packers prefer to keep their recent draft picks on the 53-man roster, even if there won’t be much playing time available. DuBose could see some action here and there is injuries occur, similarly to Samori Toure last season, who played just over 100 snaps and made a few plays in the passing game. However, between the involvement of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon in the passing game, Josiah Deguara, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft at tight end, along with the four or five receivers potentially ahead of DuBose on the depth chart, I’m guess there won’t be many – if any – snaps to be spared for him. He is a player who still needs refinement, like just about every seventh round pick, and the 2023 season will provide him with that opportunity.
DuBose said it
"“It was an emotional roller-coaster during this process,” said DuBose via Madison.com following the draft. “You never know where you’re going to land and when you’re going to land,” DuBose said in a conference call with Wisconsin reporters after the draft ended. “To get that phone call from Green Bay, it was amazing.“I always had the dream of playing at the highest level, and I bet on myself.”"
Pre-draft scouting report
"“Raw receiving prospect with just two years of major college experience under his belt. DuBose possesses NFL size with an expansive catch radius. He’s talented at winning fade routes and jump balls, but he struggles to win in the early stages of the route against press and tight man coverage. DuBose is still in the learning stages but already displays some route talent. A lack of separation quickness could make his battle for a roster spot more challenging.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"