Packers 2023 NFL mock draft: who will Green Bay select in the first round?
The Green Bay Packers are looking at an offseason like no other. They are generally playoff perennials and are used to drafting towards the bottom round of each year's draft. However, after an 8-9 season, they get to pick towards the middle of the pack.
An additional intrigue is whether Aaron Rodgers will stay with them or move to another team. If he is traded, then the Green Bay Packers are sure to net quite a few top-round picks in this year's draft and in the coming years.
However, while looking at it right now, we are not exploring the possibility of any trade. Right now, we look at the positions they currently hold and see who may end up going to Titletown in the first five picks of the draft.
Green Bay Packers: 2023 Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 15 - Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
This season could see a wholesale rebuild of the Green Bay offense. Aaron Rodgers might move on, but even beyond him, there are issues to contend with in the receiving positions.
Both Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan are slated to become free agents in the tight end position and it is likely they might need to pick one tight end in the first round.
Michael Mayer would give the Packers a HUGE, multifaceted weapon
• 6’4 Junior TE from Notre Dame
• 180 catches, 2099 yds, 18 TD in college
• Impressive speed + run after catch ability
• Great at making catches in traffic
• Strong Blocker @MMayer1001
https://t.co/Fkmse9wUzL
We are projecting that with this pick, Green Bay will select Michael Mayer. He led Notre Dame in receptions three years in a row. Last season, he finished with 67 balls for 809 yards and nine touchdowns.
Additionally, he has the ability to play both in-line and as a receiver, something that the Packers under Matt LaFleur rely a lot on from Marcedes Lewis.
Round 2, Pick 45 - Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Did we mention that the offensive side of the Green Bay Packers might be in for a wholesale teardown and rebuild? One might also want to add a wide receiver position to that mix. Given that Allen Lazard, the number one receiver this year, is also expected to hit free agency, there might be a need to draft a wide receiver.
A good pick at this stage will be Josh Downs out of North Carolina. He has experience playing with different and unproven quarterbacks after playing with then Drake Maye when Sam Howell was drafted. He is great at contested catches and has had two consecutive seasons with more than 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns.
UNC’s Josh Downs uses his suddenness to freeze the DB on the slot fade + does a wonderful job tracking the ball for six. Then, scores again on a whip route set up perfectly with his release.
Downs is an instant impact slot receiver and should be a top-45 pick in the NFL Draft. twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/74mYVIOB3w
He is not expected to be used straight away on the boundary as he weighs only 175 lbs, but last season Allen Lazard was primarily used in the slot. He will be a perfect replacement in that position where he can get aligned in space and can gain yards after catch.
Round 3, Pick 78 - Chris Smith II, S, Georgia
The next position that requires replenishment in Green Bay is the safety position. Adrian Amos and Rudy Ford could both be done, leaving only Darnell Savage and Vernon Scott in that position. They desperately need reinforcements in this position and Chris Smith could be the answer there.
#UGA Safety Chris Smith can cover so much ground from depth, has the instincts and range to rely upon on the back end.
Two of my favorite plays from his film — closing from incredible distances to make impressive open field tackles. https://t.co/EDt6xl9n1K
He has steadily improved in his time at Georgia. Last season, he had 41 tackles, 10 assists, and made 15 stops. He also had 4 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in coverage.
He surrendered an exceptional QB rating of 50.6 when targeted last season, improving from an equally impressive 53.8 the year before and 69.8 in 2020.
Round 4, Pick 116 - Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State
Just as the Green Bay Packers finished mired in mid-table when it came to their final standing, their pass rush was also average. They attempted the 15th most rushing attempts last season and look to improve on that. Adding an edge will help them become better in defense.
Iowa State’s Will McDonald flashing his ability to run the arc with a dip-n-rip for the sack.
McDonald’s springy athleticism and fluidity as a pass rusher are so exciting. Hard to see him falling out of the top-50 of the NFL Draft with his pass rush potential https://t.co/8rGT0oP005
Will McDonald might be a good addition at this stage. He has recorded at least 6 sacks in each of the years he has been a regular, notching up an impressive 13 sacks in 2021. He has good technique with a lethal spin move. He stands a 6'3", 241 lbs and has a 4.61 seconds 40-yard dash time.
He could be a great addition in the late rounds.
Round 5, Pick 151 - Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
The Green Bay Packers have a knack for picking good offensive linemen in the later rounds. Injuries to David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins last season made it clear how important having a good offensive line is.
While not an immediate need, the Packers need to plan for the future, with David Bakhtiari advancing in age and scheduled to become a free agent in a couple of seasons.
Wanya Morris stymies Derick Hall 💪💪 https://t.co/MtLc7TsvHJ
Wanya Morris was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and can play both left and right tackle. This will allow Green Bay to use him to plug the gaps when required, while simultaneously developing his potential for the coming seasons.