Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – With the first round of the 2023 NFL draft only a little more than 24 hours away, Packer’s insiders are predicting who will be joining the team this week.
Zach Krause from Packers Wire believes the best fit for the team is OSU wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and could see him starting in the slot in week one alongside Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. According to Krause, “The Packers need weapons for Jordan Love, and it’s hard to imagine a more valuable one than a high-percentage, high-volume pass-catcher like Smith-Njigba.”
Krause also lists Notre Dame edge rusher Isiah Foskey as a great fit for Green Bay in the 2nd round. He notes that Foskey has the length (6-5, 82″ wingspan), proven production (26.5 tackles for loss, 22.0 sacks over last two seasons), and durability due to playing in every game from 2020-22.
Other notable prospects he says fans should keep an eye on include Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrove, Iowa State safety Anthony Johnson Sr, South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and Utah offensive lineman Braeden Daniels. All of them are expected to be drafted on Friday during the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Many websites are also releasing their final mock drafts for 2023 and none of them can agree on who the Packers should select at 13 overall. Like Zach Krause, most believe Smith-Njigba makes the most sense and would be the best fit. However, they acknowledge that the Packers have not taken a wide receiver in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
Players like Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid, and Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. were also popular sections for the Packers with pick 13 by publications like CBS, Sports Illustrated, and NFL.com.
The Draft kicks off tomorrow night from Kansas City at 7 p.m. CST.
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