The Green Bay Packers were perhaps the NFL team that needed a solid draft class the most in 2023. They lacked quality tight ends and were deficient in receivers to support Jordan Love, their first-year starter. And the defense line needed replenishing.
Brian Gutekunst, general manager, selected a group of players who “reshaped the franchise.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com stated as much when assessing the Class of 2023 through Year 1.
Based on Edholm and Chad Reuter’s grades, the Packers finished as the fifth-best class overall with a B-plus.
Driven by those dazzling rookies, the NFL’s youngest club in 2023 became the youngest team to win a postseason game since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, at the very least.
Reuter sent a direct message saying, “The Packers needed their 2023 draft picks to step into major roles as rookies, and they did just that.” “With four inexperienced pass catchers and a first-year full-time starter at quarterback, teams rarely make the playoffs.” With the addition of defensive tackle Karl Brooks, cornerback Carrington Valentine, and promising rookie Lukas Van Ness from Day 3, it seems as though this draft class established the framework for a new chapter in Packers history.
The production of the free agents who left: tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, and receivers Jayden Reed (selected in the second round), Dontayvion Wicks (selected in the fifth round), and tight ends Luke Musgrave (selected in the second round), and Tucker Kraft (drafted in the third round) were completely outperformed.
With at least 60 receptions, 750 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 100 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns, Reed became the first rookie in NFL history. Wicks was among the top in yards gained after the catch and tied for fourth place among all receivers in the proportion of catches that resulted in explosive gains (46.2 percent for gains of 16 yards or more.
The Packers pass catchers have dazzled as big-play specialists.” Brooks made his rankings. “They have alternately intercepted passes from a quarterback who is devoted to playing the position of a pass-first point guard and ready to find an open man.”
Since the 1970 merger, Musgrave and Kraft are the second rookie tight end combination to record 30+ catches and 350+ yards combined. They hauled in 65 passes for 707 yards and three touchdowns in all.
Due to the exceptional skill of the tight ends and receivers, first-round choice Lukas Van Ness’s developing play was nearly overlooked. He finished with five sacks in 19 games (including playoffs), including four in the last eight games.
Edholm observed, “He has standout potential written all over him.”
Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, defensive tackles taken in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, made significant contributions in crucial snap counts to counterbalance the departures of Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry as free agents. Particularly dangerous were Brooks, who had four sacks and four passes defensed.
Additionally, Carrington Valentine, a seventh-round cornerback, may have rescued the season. Even though Valentine’s play was inevitably patchy, it’s unlikely the Packers would have made the playoffs without Valentine starting 12 games to make up for Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes’ regular absences, Rasul Douglas’ trade, and other factors.
Huge training camps are in store for safety Anthony Johnson, who may start given the possible departures of free agents, kicker Anders Carlson, who struggled in his rookie season, and receiver Grant DuBose, who stood out the entire season.
