2023 Green Bay Packers Rookie Preview

The Green Bay Packers are in a new era. Aaron Rodgers is gone, and Jordan Love is now running the show. The quarterback is not the only thing that is changing. Overall, the team is getting younger and embracing the youth movement. For example, their wide receivers room does not have a player with more than one year of NFL experience. While there are still savvy veterans like David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander, overall, this team is full of young pieces. Enter the 2023 rookie class who might be called upon in big ways this season. Here is the Green Bay Packers 2023 rookie preview.

Green Bay Packers 2023 Rookie Preview

Here is the list of the rookies for the Packers.

• Round 1 | Pick 13 
  Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa
• Round 2 | Pick 42 
  Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
• Round 2 | Pick 50 
  Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
• Round 3 | Pick 78
  Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
• Round 4 | Pick 116
  Colby Wooden, EDGE | Auburn
• Round 5 | Pick 149
  Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State
• Round 5 | Pick 159 
  Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia
• Round 6 | Pick 179 
  Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green
• Round 6 | Pick 207 
  Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
• Round 7 | Pick 232
  Carrington Valentine, CB, Kentucky
• Round 7 | Pick 235 
  Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan
• Round 7 | Pick 242
  Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
• Round 7 | Pick 256
  Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte

While the team still went defense in the first round, there was definitely more of a focus on the offense.

Packers TEs Luke Musgrave (88) and Tucker Kraft (85) – WLUK

Get Ready For Lots Of Rookies On Offense

I would expect a lot of rookies to get a shot on the offensive side of the ball this year. Luke Musgrave looks like a matchup nightmare. The Green Bay Packers have lacked a dynamic tight end over the past decade they are hoping that Musgrave can fill that need. Don’t forget about Tucker Kraft though. While Musgrave may be getting all of the buzz, Kraft is probably more pro-ready, especially from a blocking standpoint. If the team leans more on Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, Kraft could see some big playing time.

Three rookie wide receivers join Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure. The absence of a veteran tells me that there will be plenty of opportunities for the rookies. Jayden Reed breaks the mold of a typical receiver the Packers like, which tells me how special they think he is. I would expect to see a lot of him in the slot this season. Wicks and DuBose are interesting. I highly doubt that both of them see significant playing time, but the Packers do lack a true tall outside receiver. While Watson is tall, he is more of a speedster. I predict that Wicks will get the nod to start the season and will see significant snaps.

Packers LB Lukas Van Ness (90) – AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Rookies Will Be Sprinkled In On Defense

The defense feels more set thanks to the glut of draft capital the Green Bay Packers have invested in the unit over the years. However, I expect the rookies to be sprinkled in strategically. First-round pick Luke Van Ness feels like more of a project. While that may not help them as much this year, remember, Rashan Gary was a project, and now he is one of the top edge rushers in the league. Still, Van Ness should be a part of the rotation, especially if Gary is not ready by week 1. Sixth-round pick Karl Brooks should also see good playing time.

Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed left in free agency, leaving Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt as the clear starters. Behind them, the competition is wide open. If Brooks impresses in camp, he should solidify his role on defense.

I’m calling this one now. The Packers will start a seventh-round pick at safety in week 1. Anthony Johnson Jr. was one of my personal favorite prospects to grab in the late rounds. Green Bay’s safety depth chart is thinner than the sliced meat at your local deli. Darnell Savage is probably the best of the bunch, and it wouldn’t be hard to outplay him. I think Johnson Jr. comes into camp and impresses to the point that the coaching staff has no choice but to give him significant snaps.

Former Auburn K Anders Carlson (26) – Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A New Kicker In Town

If you’ve followed any of my other articles, you had to know my rookie preview would talk about special teams. Mason Crosby has been a staple of the kicking game for years. While the door is still open for him to come back, I highly doubt he will. This leaves fifth-round pick Anders Carlson as the favorite to land the job.

Teams don’t spend draft capital on kickers unless they think they are something special. The fact that the team chose him says that they are listening to special teams coach Rich Bisaccia and prioritizing their kicking game. Carlson could get some competition in camp from another kicker, but I ultimately expect the coaching staff to give Carlson a chance. This year isn’t about winning it all. It is seeing what pieces are going to work for the future. Get Carlson reps now, and it will pay dividends in the future.

The initial rookie preview for the Green Bay Packers looks promising. There are a lot of pieces that are going to see significant snaps, thanks to where the team is right now. The great news for fans is that this will be a fun team to watch. I have no clue how many games they will win. You could tell me anything. I would believe you. However, rookies and young players are fun to watch. This is the first glimpse that fans will get of the players they will be cheering on for years to come.