Green Bay Packers mock draft 2023: Retooling for the future after Rodgers trade

After missing the playoffs for just the fourth time since Aaron Rodgers took over as starting quarterback in 2008, the Green Bay Packers enter the NFL Draft with plenty of question marks. Obviously, the future at QB is uncertain, but 2023 will be all about Jordan Love getting a chance to prove the position is no longer a need.

No matter what, the Packers need to address the areas that held them back a season ago. This means continuing to add playmaking pass-catchers, more talent to the secondary, and boosting the depth in the trenches will be big priorities in Green Bay on all three days of the draft.

Yet, the Packers enjoyed three consecutive 13-win seasons from 2019 to 2021. How far away is this roster from returning to top form? That’s where a new draft class can potentially have a major impact. The Packers can’t afford to stay stuck in the mud while watching their fellow NFC North rivals improve.

Ultimately, adding talent from the 2023 NFL Draft could be a turning point for the Packers to reclaim their division crown or become one of the bottom-feeders in the NFC in the near future. Boasting a whopping 11 draft picks, the Packers will have a lot of opportunities to add players capable of making a difference in 2023. Let’s look at their picks.

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Green Bay Packers draft picks 2023

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Green Bay Packers mock draft: Retooling for the future

Sportsnaut uses Pro Football Focus’ NFL Draft simulator, which provides the flexibility to trade and work through a variety of scenarios. Let’s dive into our Packers mock draft.

1st round, 13th overall: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

It’s not so much that the Packers’ top need is a receiver. We don’t believe that to be true. Christian Watson is the WR1 in Green Bay, and he’s plenty capable of being one of the best in the league. But Quentin Johnston is too enticing to pass up. While we’d all like to believe Love won’t experience many jitters in his first year as a starting QB, life would be much easier if he had an abundance of pass-catching weapons instead of an even lesser cast than what we saw Aaron Rodgers struggle with last season.

Johnston is similar to Watson in that he’s large (6-foot-3) and quick (just not as fast as Watson). He’d instantly provide another deep weapon for Love to develop with, yet likely would come with similar growing pains, having dropped eight passes, according to Pro Football Focus in 2022. If the Packers don’t plan to address the tight end position early in the draft, Johnston’s added presence as a formidable red zone threat would be a fine compromise.

2nd round, 42nd overall: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

You can never go wrong investing in the trenches. While Josh Myers has been average as the team’s starting center since becoming the 62nd overall pick just two years ago, John Michael Schmitz has a chance to be great.

After starting all four years at the position in college, Schmitz is best suited for center, where his advanced football intelligence shines. Yet, the 24-year-old could likely handle some guard duties as well. Either way, he’d help improve an offensive line that could use more depth with the potential to be an immediate starter.

Related: Winners, losers from blockbuster Aaron Rodgers trade between New York Jets, Green Bay Packers

2nd round, 45th overall: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

Just surrounding Love with weapons. While the Packers may not be able to control Love’s decisions on the field, they can put him in stronger positions to succeed. Having largely ignored the tight end position in years past, the Packers can put those memories to rest on Day 2 by selecting Iowa’s Sam LaPorta.

We won’t sugarcoat it. LaPorta doesn’t offer freakish upside or anything. He’s 6-foot-3, runs fairly well, and has the potential to be a weapon after the catch. But he also has a limited catch radius and won’t be the type who makes these ridiculously stretched-out one-handed plays.

But you don’t need those traits to be a starting tight end. LaPorta will compete on every down, and he’s likely to be an immediate starter. Many Iowa tight ends have had great success at the next level, from George Kittle to T.J. Hockenson. Perhaps LaPorta can be the next Hawkeye to thrive in the NFL too.

Related: NFL QB Rankings

3rd round, 78th overall: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama

Now that Adrian Amos, who has started all 66 games at safety for the Packers in the past four years, looks likely to move on, the Packers will want to add to the depth chart this offseason. One intriguing fit is Alabama’s Jordan Battle, who brings four years of high-level starting experience to the NFL, where he’s likely to be a fixture in the secondary.

Battle has a high football IQ and loves to let his physicality do the talking. He’s not a perfect prospect. But for the third round, we’ll take Battle seemingly having a floor of at least a capable backup. Meanwhile, his excellent instincts and versatility could just as easily help Battle develop into a star.

Green Bay Packers 7-round mock draft 2023

Here is our full seven-round Packers mock draft.

• 1st round, 15th overall: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
• 2nd round, 42nd overall: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
• 2nd round, 45th overall: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
• 3rd round, 78th overall: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
• 4th round, 116th overall: Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
• 5th round, 149th overall: Viliami Fehoko, EDGE, San Jose State
• 6th round, 207th overall: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
• 7th round, 232nd overall: Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR, Fresno State
• 7th round, 235th overall: Caleb Murphy, EDGE, Ferris State
• 7th round, 242nd overall: Troy Brown, LB, Mississippi
• 7th round, 256th overall: Tiawan Mullen, CB, Indiana