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Ranking Packers Rookies After Second Preseason Game

By Brian Sampson

Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II (18) in the fourth quarter during a Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II (18) in the fourth quarter during a Week 1 NFL preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. /
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For better or worse, the Green Bay Packers are positioned to lean heavily on their 2023 rookie class. Such is life when you’re in a mini rebuild and youth movement (or whatever they want to call it). The good news is the early returns are very favorable.

In this second edition of my rookie rankings (you can check out the first one here), I’ll continue to focus on the contributions each rookie might make to the upcoming 2023 NFL season without delving into long-term projections. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the rankings, beginning with the most impactful and working our way down the list. I bolded the players who changed from last week’s rankings.

The Green Bay Packers’ 2023 rookie class is shaping up to be a good one. Here’s an updated ranking following their second preseason game.

  1. Luke Musgrave (Round 2, Pick 42) (Previously 1)
  2. Jayden Reed (Round 2, Pick Pick 50) (Previously 2)
  3. Anders Carlson (Round 6, Pick 207) (Previously 4)
  4. Lukas Van Ness (Round 1, Pick 13) (Previously 3)
  5. Tucker Kraft (Round 3, Pick 78) (Previously 5)
  6. Colby Wooden (Round 4, Pick 116) (Previously 6)
  7. Karl Brooks (Round 6, Pick 179) (Previously 7)
  8. Malik Heath (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 9)
  9. Carrington Valentine (Round 6, Pick 232) (Previously 8)
  10. Anthony Johnson Jr (Round 6, Pick 242) (Previously 15)
  11. Dontayvion Wicks (Round 5, Pick 159) (Previously 10)
  12. Sean Clifford (Round 5, Pick 149) (Previously 11)
  13. Brenton Cox Jr (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 13)
  14. Henry Pearson (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 12)
  15. Grant DuBose (Round 7, Pick 256) (Previously 14)
  16. Lew Nichols (Round 7, Pick 235) (Previously 16)

Lukas Van Ness: I bumped him down one spot, as he’s possibly the fifth outside linebacker on the Packers’ depth chart at this point–behind Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare and Justin Hollins. That limits his impact and moved Anders Carlson (who responded nicely in the Packers’ second preseason game) ahead of him.

Malik Heath: Heath continues to impress, leading the Packers in receptions (5) and receiving yards (75) against the Patriots. When I combined his continued stellar play with the struggles Carrington Valentine experienced vs New England, it resulted in a flip-flop of the two rookies.

Anthony Johnson Jr.: He’s the big mover this week, as it appears he’s more and more likely to secure a roster spot on their initial 53-man. He’s working increasingly with the ones and twos in practice and is beginning to make his way onto special teams units. Combine that will the struggles of just about everyone else at the position, and he could work his way into a supporting role this season.

Next. 4 Packers Boosting Roster Chances After 2nd Preseason Game. dark

Sean Clifford: His spot on this ranking is not indicative of his play this preseason. He’s been a standout performer and has been impressive throughout training camp and preseason. However, Green Bay hopes they don’t have to play him during the regular season, bumping him way down on this list.

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