It is officially April, and the 2023 NFL draft is approaching. The draft begins on 27th through the 29th of this month. The Packers currently have ten picks this year and there has been no real update on when the Aaron Rodgers trade will officially happen. If the trade does happen before the draft, Packers will have more picks to keep building the roster. The Packers do have needs to address in the draft this year, but at the end of the day taking the best player available is the best draft strategy. However, here are the Packers needs heading into the draft the next couple of weeks.
Tightend- The Packers Simply Need To Address This Position As They Ignored It For Too Long
One position that the Packers need to address in the draft this year is the tightend position on offense. The Packers have had a hole there for quite a while. Since Jermicheal Finley the Packers have not been getting the production at tightend and have not addressed the position for years. Right now, Josiah Deguara would be the starting tightend for the Packers if the season started. Deguara is a solid player, but he will be more used as a blocker then pass catcher. The Packers need one that can be a threat in the passing game in which they thought it was going to be Robert Tonyan, but he is no longer with the team. Plenty of prospects for the Packers to draft like Darnell Washington, Dalton Kinclaid, and Michael Mayer. The Packers must address this position in the draft if they want to improve on offense.
Edge Rusher- With Rashan Gary Recovering From His ACL Injury, The Packers Need To Add Another Impact Player At That Position
Rashan Gary will miss some time due to him recovering from his ACL tear he suffered last season. The Packers currently have Preston Smith, Kingsley Egnabare, and Justin Hollins as the available edge rushers. It is not too bad of a group, but certainly more talent can be added. This is a pretty deep draft class of edge rushers this year and some of them may even go top ten. Packers have the 15th selection in the first round and could be in line to take an edge rusher this year. The prime candidates who could be the pick is Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith a player that has been getting a lot of first round buzz and even Lukas Van Ness from Iowa who is also projected to be a first-round pick. Look for the Packers to look early in the draft to add more talent at edge rusher.
Wide Receiver- Add Moe Weapons For Jordan Love On Offense
With Jordan Love’s first year as a starter, it is important to have a solid core of wide receivers around him. The Packers have some young talent at wide receiver with Christan Watson and Romeo Doubs. However, they need to build around those two. They have also stated getting a veteran wide receiver in free agency in which there are still some good options for them. Yet, the Packers are going to look to the draft for more help at wide receiver. Since Javon Walker in 2002, the Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round but have been successful in finding talent on day two and three of the draft. Packers are picking near the middle of the first round with the 15th pick and will have a chance to take a wide receiver this year. Jaxon Smith- Njiba seems to be a prime target for the Packers and most likely could be available when the Packers select in the first round. Yet, there are some solid day two selections like Josh Downs, Zay Flowers, Jalin Hyatt, and Jordan Addison. If the Packers want Jordan Love to succeed, they have to add more talent at wide receiver.
Offensive Tackle- More Of A Future Need, But Still Have To Address The Position
There has been a lot of talk about offensive tackle being an underrated need for the Packers. It is indeed a need but mostly for the future. The Packers currently have solid options at tackle like David Bahktiari, Yosh Ninjman, and even Zach Tom. Not to mention have some solid depth in Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones. However, have to look at the future. David is getting up there in age and is not getting any younger as he is turning 32 this year. Also, Yosh is probably not back after this season and the Packers could convert Zach Tom to guard. The Packers are considering everything on the table when it comes to offensive tackle. Even met with top tackle prospects like Peter Skoronski who could be selected by the Packers in the first round. Also, we can look at Ohio State offensive tackle prospect Paris Johnson Jr. who could also be a target for the Packers in the draft. Packers could also just do what they always do which is find hidden talent within the mid to late rounds. Do not be surprised if the Packers draft an offensive tackle early in the draft.
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