The Packers earned some praise for first-round picks since the 2014 draft
In one week the NFL world descends on Kansas City for the 2023 NFL draft as a new wave of talent will be drafted. For the Green Bay Packers, this will be a very important draft in terms of building the future as they usher in the Jordan Love era.
The Packers currently hold the No. 15 pick in the draft and are in a spot to address several needs. Green Bay can go with a wide receiver to help Love, potentially an offensive tackle or even a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.
Whatever Green Bay does, fans should trust in them as they were recently named one of the best organizations in terms of first-round picks since 2014 by Pro Football Focus. The Packers were among the top five in that ranking:
Players selected:
- 2022: LB Quay Walker, DI Devonte Wyatt
- 2021: CB Eric Stokes
- 2020: QB Jordan Love
- 2019: EDGE Rashan Gary, S Darnell Savage
- 2018: CB Jaire Alexander
- 2016: DI Kenny Clark
- 2015: S Damarious Randall
Best pick: Jaire Alexander
Green Bay has had little in the way of true whiffs over this time period. Damarious Randall never quite became the player he was supposed to be but still played over 600 snaps per year at multiple positions for three seasons while they tried to understand what spot best suited his game. Jaire Alexander has become one of the best cornerbacks in the game while Rashan Gary has done the same among edge rushers after a slow start — 125 total pressures in his last 685 pass-rushing snaps. If Jordan Love is able to step into the void left whenever Aaron Rodgers eventually departs and looks like a capable starter, the Packers will have nailed this run of first-rounders.
While Alexander was listed as the best pick, both Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark are in the conversation as well and that’s a good thing for the Packers. Being able to land talent like that on a consistent basis is huge and gives some hope they can land another stud here in 2023.
To make it even sweeter, the Chicago Bears were among the worst five in the article.