The Green Bay Packers had an interesting 2023 NFL draft. With a glut of picks from the Aaron Rodgers trade and the transition into the Jordan Love era, it was the first draft in a while where they were not drafting to try and win now. What should Packers fans make of the class?
Former Iowa DL Lukas Van Ness (91) – Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers 2023 NFL Draft
- 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
The Green Bay Packers have a big class this year, and there are a lot of intriguing picks. Here are three takeaways from the weekend.
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Packers DC Joe Barry – Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Time For Joe Barry To Prove His Worth
The general consensus around the league is that Joe Barry is not doing this defense any favors. There are a whopping eight first-round draft picks on this defense now with the addition of Van Ness. Jaire Alexander and Kenny Clark are in the top 10 in the league at their position. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith provide an excellent pass rush. Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Kingsley Enagbare have shown promise. There’s no excuse anymore. If Joe Barry fails to put a top half of the league defense on the field this year, he will likely be let go. The end of last season showed some promise and that is why he was brought back. It’s time to prove that wasn’t a fluke.
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Packers Assistant Coach/STC Rich Bisaaccia – Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Rich Bisaccia’s Fingerprints Are All Over This Draft
I love Rich Bisaccia. The fact that he got a promotion within the organization makes me happy, and his pull within the organization is starting to show. Jayden Reed is a return specialist and could return punts this year. Anders Carlson, who is related to former Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, has Bisaccia connections. Even the first-round pick Van Ness blocked two kicks last year. While the players are not primarily special teams players, the team is finally investing in talent that can play on that squad. No longer are the Green Bay Packers disregarding that unit and hoping for the best. I expect the special teams to make another jump this season.
Packers WR Christian Watson (9) – David Berding/Getty Images
Building An Offense That Can Grow Together
Many thought that the Green Bay Packers needed a veteran wide receiver in the room. While that may be the case, I also would not hate if the team stuck with who they have. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs return for their second season. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft immediately boost the floor of the tight-end position. Both have the potential to be dangerous red-zone targets. The aforementioned Reed and Dontayvion Wicks add some potential for young depth as well. This is a young team that can grow together. If they get three to four years of playing together, this could be a dangerous offense very soon.
Overall, it was a solid draft in the post-Rodgers era. The 2023 season comes down to whether Love can be the quarterback of the future or not. Otherwise, the rest of the team is looking very promising.
