The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner and the Green Bay Packers know that they have to nail it this time around. After a brutal season that ended with missing the playoffs, the franchise is in a very questionable situation. It appears that Aaron Rodgers could very well be on his way out of town, but whether he leaves or not the Packers need to add great young talent to a roster that desperately needs it.
At this point in time, the Packers are projected to pick with the No. 15 overall selection. There are plenty of great players that could be snagged with that pick.
Brian Gutekunst and company have had some great picks and some major duds. They cannot afford to miss on their first-round pick this offseason.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three sleeper first-round target the Packers should consider at No. 15 overall.
Three Sleeper First-Round Targets For The Packers
3. Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia
This is just what Packers fans wanted to see, right? Another Georgia defender in the first round, this time at the cornerback position.
Most may not think that the Packers need to address the cornerback position, and maybe they don’t. However, Rasul Douglas looked rough at times this season and the injury to Eric Stokes showcased a need behind Stokes and Jaire Alexander. Having a talent like Kelee Ringo would be a luxury for the Packers.
During the 2022 season with Georgia, Ringo racked up 42 total tackles to go along with a forced fumble, two interceptions, and seven defended passes. Ringo stands in at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, which would give him the ability to face off against some of the bigger and stronger wideouts in the NFL.
Green Bay may opt to draft a bigger need, but Ringo is definitely a sleeper name to watch. Adding players from a defense as good as the one that Georgia has had in recent years is never a bad choice.
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2. Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame
While the Packers have a very talented tight end currently on the roster in Robert Tonyan, they could look to add another weapon to the offense. Michael Mayer had a historical career at Notre Dame and is projected to go in the middle stage of the first round. He would be a very intriguing fit for the Packers.
Mayer is coming off of a massive campaign for the Fighting Irish that saw him catch 67 passes for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. He stands in at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds and has flashed top-notch athleticism.
Some have compared him to longtime NFL star Rob Gronkowski. He may not be the same kind of player, but he would provide Matt LaFleur and company a new wrinkle in the offense. Mayer would be a very exciting pick for the Packers in the first round this year.
1. Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Texas
Finally, we’re throwing a massive curveball that many fans would not have seen coming. Bijan Robinson has true superstar potential at the NFL level and put together massive numbers during his tenure with the Longhorns.
Why would the Packers use their first-round pick on a running back? Well, first of all, it would allow them to move on from Aaron Jones and his contract should they choose to do so. If Aaron Rodgers leaves town, trading a piece like Jones could make perfect sense.
Robinson is coming off of a 2022 season with Texas that saw him rack up 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns on 258 carries. He also caught 19 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
Green Bay could go this route depending on how the rest of the offseason goes. Robinson would be able to come in and start immediately. If they make this move, they would also get some good value in a potential trade involving Jones.
