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2023 NFL Draft: Instant Analysis and Grades for Every Team’s Picks

By Sayre Bedinger

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: (L-R) C.J. Stroud poses NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL draft
2023 NFL mock draft; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (91) reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Green Bay Packers

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

Sheesh, I think the Packers just made another pick, didn’t they?

Let the post-Aaron Rodgers era begin. Or are we calling it the Jordan Love era? Jordan Love, YOU are a New York Jet in 2037.

All kidding aside, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst stayed painfully on-brand with his top pick, taking Lukas Van Ness off the edge out of Iowa. Van Ness is a good-looking young player with length, power, and the ability to get to the QB in a hurry. The Packers had the Jets include that little trade two spots up the board in the Aaron Rodgers deal, so it’s obvious that Van Ness is someone they had their eyes on.

You look at the rest of this draft class and you see a lot of investment in offensive skill guys, of course. The Packers got two of the best tight ends in this class in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, and I think those two will be such a massive help for Jordan Love and having a successful first year on the job as a starting QB.

When you mix those guys with someone like Jayden Reed out of Michigan State? I think the Packers did so well there to add to their offensive weaponry.

Talking about doubling up at certain position groups, Karl Brooks doesn’t play off the edge like Lukas Van Ness, but I think getting two guys on the defensive front of that quality was really good work by Gutekunst and his staff.

Everyone was shocked the Packers actually picked Sean Clifford at pick no. 149 overall, making him part of a rather historic QB class.

Ultimately, this draft class will be remembered as the one after Aaron Rodgers left. How quickly can these young players, along with Jordan Love, move this franchise forward?

Grade: B+

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