The 2023 NFL Draft is behind us, and Packers rookie minicamp just concluded this past weekend. It is easy to say the Packers will have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL this year. Not to mention they drafted a whopping 13 players in this year’s Draft, adding a lot of young talent to the roster.
This is a new era in Packers football as the team is getting much younger and building around new starting quarterback Jordan Love. Now what should we expect from the rookies this year?
Here are the expectations for the players from the Packers 2023 draft class:
Lukas Van Ness (EDGE – Iowa)
Will Have A Huge Role On Defense, Especially With Rashan Gary Possibly Missing Time
First-round pick Lukas Van Ness is a player that should help the Packers’ pass rush that was lacking last year. When Rashan Gary went down with a torn ACL, the pass rush fell off down the stretch. Now with Van Ness, it should be much better, especially with his ability to rush from the inside and outside.
His versatility will help the Packers get constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Also, it will help them out with Gary possibly missing time to start the season. In addition, when Gary comes back the pass rush could even be more dangerous with Van Ness. Van Ness should immediately impact the Packers’ defense as a rookie.
Luke Musgrave (TE – Oregon State)
Day One Starter At Tight End For The Packers
The Packers have had a gaping hole at the tight end since Jermicheal Finley. They just have not found a tight end that can stretch defenses in the passing game for many years. It seems that their second-round pick Luke Musgrave will change that. Musgrave at Oregon State showed to be a very good threat in the passing game at tight end.
He is athletic, runs crisp routes like a wide receiver, and could line up inside and even on the outside. However, he does need to improve in run blocking, with the Packers wanting to run the ball more this year. Nonetheless, Packers rookie Luke Musgrave will be an immediate starter on the Packers’ offense and should hopefully give them another threat in the passing game.
Jayden Reed (WR – Michigan State)
The Packers New Starting Slot Receiver
With one of their two second-round picks, the Packers drafted wide receiver Jayden Reed. Reed will be the Packers’ new starting slot receiver on day one. He will replace Randall Cobb, who is no longer with the team. The Packers, outside of Cobb, have been lacking a true slot receiver and will look to Reed to fill that role. He also has the versatility to play in the slot and be on the outside on the boundary.
In addition, the Packers could use him in some gadget plays as they did with Tyler Ervin in jet sweeps and have him in motion. Not to mention Reed’s ability to win the 50/50 ball could make him a redzone target on offense. Also, to add, Reed is a solid run blocker, which is needed in the offense Matt LaFleur wants to operate. Reed will be the perfect complement for Christain Watson and Romeo Doubs this year on the Packers’ offense.
Tucker Kraft (TE – South Dakota State)
Day One Starter With Luke Musgrave, And Both Could Be A Deadly Packers Rookie Duo
The Packers doubled dipped on tight end with Tucket Kraft as they drafted him in the third round. The third-round picks for the Packers since 2010 have not been good, but maybe Kraft could break that curse. He is very big and athletic and, like Luke Musgrave, can be a threat in the passing game. However, Kraft is the much better run blocker of the two. Kraft also uses his size really well to box out defenders and fight for extra yards after the catch. Kraft will see many significant snaps on offense this year as a Packers rookie. He and Musgrave could potentially be a deadly duo at tight end for years to come.
Colby Wooden (DL – Auburn)
Will Be A Solid Rotational Piece Along The Defensive Line
It’s pretty clear the Packers in this Draft, outside of getting Jordan Love weapons, wanted to address the pass rush. Colby Wooden is listed as an edge rusher, but he will play defensive tackle in the NFL. At Auburn, he played at edge rusher but also moved inside as well showing his versatility. Colby Wooden will bring solid depth to the Packers’ defensive line which is much needed.
He might need to put on more weight and size to hold up against the run. However, he will add more pass rush from the interior and could also play on the edge on third down in passing situations. He will have the role former Packer Kingsley Keke had but might be better. Wooden will definitely be in a good rotation for the Packers’ defensive line this year on defense.
Sean Clifford (QB – Penn State)
Most Likely the Backup Quarterback Behind Jordan Love
The Packers did indeed need a backup quarterback behind Love. They drafted Sean Clifford in the fifth round to most likely fill that role. Sean Clifford was a four-year starter at Penn State University and had big-time success. In his four years, he had a winning record of 32-14 and was voted captain in all of the years he started, showing leadership, something the Packers really liked about him.
Also, he had a very good touchdown to interception ratio. Yet, he was considered to go undrafted as he was very inconsistent and had accuracy issues when throwing the football. These things can be easily fixed with coaching, and the Packers have Tom Clemments, who is a very good quarterback’s coach. Clifford will look to beat out Danny Etling for the backup quarterback job this year as a Packers rookie.
Dontayvion Wicks (WR – Virginia)
Potential To Be A Very Good Player And Could Have A Big Role On Offense
The Packers kept adding more weapons for Love and drafted Dontayvion Wicks in the fifth round. He is a very interesting player as when watching him on tape, and he has the speed to run by players and the size to win the 50/50 balls. He fell in the draft because he had a down year in 2022 at Virginia.
It had to do with injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and a new offensive system that did not really fit him. In 2021, he had a much more productive year, and if he were to be drafted last year, he would have gone much higher than the fifth round. The Packers are banking that he returns to his 2021 form, and if he does, he can have a very huge impact on offense as a Packers rookie.
Karl Brooks (DL – Bowling Green)
Underrated Player From The Draft That Could Shock A Lot Of People
One player that could be the steal of the Draft is Packers rookie defensive linemen Karl Brooks. It is pretty silly that he fell this far in the Draft. In his time at Bowling Green, he was getting better every year. Pro Football Focus ranked him pretty high in every statistical category as a defensive lineman. He can also play edge which seems to be the common theme for the Packers as they want versatility. Brooks can rush the passer and is pretty solid against the run.
In addition, he dominated the Senior Bowl and really stood out. What probably dropped him was Bowling Green was not really a good football team and played much lesser competition. Brooks did not put up great testing athletic numbers, and his size played a factor as well. He reminds us of Mike Daniels, who everyone said was too small but was a solid player for the Packers. Brooks will look to crack the defensive line rotation as a Packers rookie but will have to earn his playing time. He will look to prove his doubters wrong this season.
Anders Carlson (K – Auburn)
New Starting Kickers As He Has Big Shoes To Fill
It is safe to say Mason Crosby is not returning to the Packers. The youth movement in Green Bay has started. Crosby is a fan favorite, but the Packers want to get younger at that position. Anders Carlson will most likely be the new starting kicker for the team. Now Carlson will need some work as he was not all good in 2022, and his leg strength and accuracy were not there. Hopefully, assistant head and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia can get him better. The Packers got their new kicker.
Carrington Valentine (CB – Kentucky)
Has Potential But Will Most Likely Be On Special Teams As A Rookie
The Packers seem to be loaded up at corner. Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas are the top three. They also have some depth with Shemar Jean-Charles and Keisean Nixon as well. They added more talent with Carrington Valentine late in the draft. Valentine was a two-year starter at corner for Duke and had solid production.
He was playing in a zone-heavy scheme, but he was very good when it came to playing press man or bump and run. Valentine has all the tools but needs to be developed as a corner. As a rookie, he will most likely be on special teams, as he is not ready to contribute right away unless injuries force him into the starting lineup.
Lew Nichols (RB – Central Michigan)
Could Be The Third Running Back Behind Aaron Jones And AJ Dillion
The Packers have their top two running backs in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion. However, beyond them, it is an open competition for the third spot at running back. One candidate to win that job is Packers rookie Lew Nichols. He was a productive back at Central Michigan and could provide very good value for the Packers.
He put up some big rushing numbers in college, especially in 2021, having over 1,710 yards rushing. He has good vision and is a solid pass catcher out of the backfield. Nicholas could even be the future at running back, as Jones or Dillion could be gone next year. Nicholas will provide more on special teams this year and will have a small role in the passing game on offense as a rookie.
Anthony Johnson Jr. (S – Iowa State)
Potentially A Starter As A Rookie?
The Packers had a need at safety, but unfortunately, this class was not very good there. They did end up drafting Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round. Many were surprised he fell this far in the Draft, as he is a very solid player. He played corner and was productive before transitioning to safety in his final season at Iowa State. He played well in his first year as a safety, and if he had been there for more than one year, he could have been drafted much higher.
This could be a steal, as he has a chance to earn a starting spot as a Packers rookie this year. It is mostly because outside of Darnell Savage, the safety position is a wide-open competition. Johnson Jr. is very good in coverage, which the Packers lacked at safety last year, and that could be a good advantage for him. Yet, he needs to be better in run support as a safety, as it was inconsistent last year. Despite him being a late-round pick Johnson Jr. has a chance to start at safety in rookie season for the Packers.
Grant DuBose (WR – Charlotte)
Another Weapon For Jordan Love And Could Be Another Draft Steal
With their last pick in the Draft, the Packers got another weapon for Love in Grant Dubose. He is a very underrated wide receiver in this draft. He was a two-year starter at the University Of Charlotte and put up some productive numbers. Has very good speed, and a solid route runner, and knows how to get open. Dubose also uses his size to overpower opposing defensive backs. He will need to work on separating from the much bigger corners he will face in the NFL.
He potentially could be in for a huge role on special teams as he works his way up the depth chart. He can become a good wide receiver in the NFL with good coaching. Do not expect too much of a big role for Dubose in his rookie season, as this will be a developmental year for him.
For More Wisconsin Sports Content:
Follow me on Twitter at @CarlosS29143608 and follow us at @WiSportsHeroics for more content. To keep up on all of your favorite sports in Wisconsin, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
