Packers GM Brian Gutekunst with head coach Matt LaFleur and team President Mark Murphy on draft night - Photo by the Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The 2023 NFL draft ended over the weekend and top draft experts from around the country were impressed by how the Packers did.
NFL Network Draft Analyst Chad Reuter gave the Packers an A- saying, “I love the potential in Van Ness as a strong edge defender who can play 5 techniques. Musgrave (gained with the pick acquired from the Jets in exchange for Aaron Rodgers), Reed (picked slightly earlier than expected), and Kraft (picked slightly later) give new quarterback Jordan Love three young targets with whom he can get familiar this offseason. Wooden and Brooks will greatly aid a lean defensive-line depth chart. Clifford has third-day intangibles and some physical traits to be a solid backup, though his accuracy was inconsistent throughout his career. ”
Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings gave the Packers an A saying, “The Packers had a whopping 13 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, and nine of those selections earned some type of A. Lukas Van Ness was a viable upside swing in Round 1. Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft were phenomenal picks on Day 2, and the Luke Musgrave pick, while a bit early, made a lot of sense – especially for Jordan Love. Then, on Day 3, the Packers bolstered the line with versatile pieces in Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks and landed major steals like Carrington Valentine and Grant DuBose. The biggest knocks for Green Bay? They spent a mid-Day 3 pick on a middling backup and a Round 6 pick on a kicker with a very shaky background.”
Sports Illustrated Analyst Gilberto Manzano gave the Packers a B+ saying, “The Packers went with the versatile Van Ness instead of adding an offensive lineman for first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love. Van Ness has high upside and will form a strong pass-rushing trio with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary. Love later got plenty of help with Musgrave, a polished pass catcher, and Kraft, a solid blocker. Reed has the potential to develop into a standout downfield threat because of his speed and reliable hands.”
Fox Sports Analysts gave the Packers a B saying, “It wasn’t the petty draft I would have hoped for, but the Packers took Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa at No. 13 overall with the intention of playing him inside rather than on the edge. That alone makes me feel better about them not selecting a pass catcher in the first round, though it means Green Bay will field eight first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball alone this coming season. The defense is out of excuses. Green Bay did address pass catchers on Day 2, taking two tight ends and a wide receiver. Jayden Reed out of Michigan State may actually be my favorite of the picks for the way he can complement the Packers’ other young wideouts.”
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