We are 21 days into April, and the 2023 NFL Draft is less than a week away. Despite Aaron Rodgers publicly saying that he intends to play for the New York Jets in 2023, he has yet to be traded. While general managers Brian Gutekunst and Joe Douglas hammer out compensation for the future Hall of Famer, recent reports indicate that a deal might not get done until draft night.
Regardless of the leverage arguments, both the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets fan bases are getting impatient and restless, so what better time to do a mock draft?
For the purposes of this mock draft, let’s say the Packers agree on compensation with the Jets prior to the start of the draft. In exchange for Aaron Rodgers, the Packers receive pick No. 42, a conditional 2024 second-round pick that can turn into a first based on if Rodgers plays in 2024 and wide receiver Corey Davis.
Round 1 (pick 10, via PHI): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Smith-Nijgba likely won’t be there at pick 15, so the Packers send pick No.15 and No.45 to Philadelphia to jump to the 10th overall pick. However ironic it might sound for the Packers to take a receiver in the first round despite never opting to select one in the Rodgers era, the Packers would be wise to surround Jordan Love with as many talented weapons as possible. As it stands today, the Packers’ wide receiver room consists of Christain Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Bo Melton and Jeff Cotton.
Smith-Njigba played limited snaps in 2022 due to injury, but his breakout 2021 campaign showed the world why he is worthy of being drafted in the first round. In 2021, Smith-Njibga hauled in 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith-Njibga’s best game came at the Rose Bowl, where he was unstoppable, catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. His performance set a record for most yards in a bowl game in FBS history and most catches in Rose Bowl history.
His size and speed aren’t anything to write home about, but his savvy route-running skills will translate well to the NFL. Smith-Njibga would be a plug-and-play slot receiver in a Love-led offense that features Watson and Doubs on the perimeter. He would immediately become one of the Packers’ top receivers and potentially develop into one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers.
Round 2 (pick 42, via CLE): Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Outside of the shallow state of the wide receiver room, the Packers’ tight end room is arguably just as, if not more, desperate for an upgrade. With Robert Tonyan signing with the Chicago Bears and the presumed departure of Mercedes Lewis to the Jets, the Packers tight end room is yearning for depth and talent.
LaPorta would be a difference-maker from day one. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound Iowa product caught 153 passes for 1786 yards and five touchdowns in his four years at Iowa. LaPorta’s sixth-highest RAS (relative athletic score) among tight ends shows up on tape as he is a willing blocker in the run game and capable of making plays in the passing game down the field. LaPorta’s ability to be effective in blocking and as a receiver would provide Packers coach Matt LaFleur plenty of ways to utilize the former Hawkeye in an offense that often felt stale in 2022.
Round 3 (pick 78): Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Adrian Amos has yet to re-sign with the Packers. Regardless of if Amos re-signs with the Packers, Darnell Savage is coming off of a lackluster 2022 season and is likely entering his last year with the Packers. In other words, the Packers would be foolish to avoid investing a safety early on in the draft.
Battle was projected to be a second-round pick, but his underwhelming combined performance has since lowered his draft stock. Although he ran a respectable 4.55-second 40-yard dash, his 7.31-second 3-cone and 4.37-second shuttle awarded him a poor RAS composite agility grade. However, these numbers don’t reflect what Battle put on tape, and at pick 78 in the third round, the Alabama product is a steal.
After taking over as a starter in 2020, Battle illustrated his versatility and instincts through his experience playing all over the field in a variety of schemes. His physicality shows up on tape as he doesn’t shy away from tackling. In his 50+ games playing for the Crimson Tide, Battle accumulated 252 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. Battle’s versatility will give Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry flexibility to play him deep, in the slot and in the box.
Round 4 (pick 116): Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
As strange as it may sound, Jordan Love needs a backup quarterback.
Haener is a smaller prospect coming in at 6 feet on the dot and weighing 207 pounds. However, he’s an accurate passer that throws with confidence and anticipation. In the 2022 season, Haener had a 112 passer rating while throwing for 2896 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions.
According to the Draft Network, “From an intangible standpoint, perhaps no quarterback in this class has Haener’s competitive toughness. He has proven to play through injury and is always at his best when his team needs him most.”
Haener would step into the No. 2 role at quarterback from day one and would give the Packers confidence if Jordan Love ever goes down.
Round 5 (pick 149): Mike Morris, EDGE, Michigan
Rashan Gary is still recovering from an ACL tear sustained against the Detroit Lions in November. Whether he will be ready for Week 1 remains to be seen. Either way, the Packers need to add depth to this room to improve the pass rush rotation.
The former Wolverine had seven sacks in the 2022 season and would be a solid rotational piece as a defensive end.
Round 5 (pick 170): Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Even with the addition of Smith-Njigba, the Packers need to invest multiple picks into a position that lacks any real depth entering the draft. Reed was a big play machine during his time at Michigan State, averaging 14.1 yards-per-catch on 147 catches for 2069 yards. He would be a quality developmental player that could see meaningful time on offense and special teams during his rookie year.
Round 7 (pick 234): Moro Ojoma, EDGE, Texas
Round 7 (pick 237): Nick Broeker, OT, Ole Miss
Round 7 (pick 237): Andrew Vorhees , G, USC
It wouldn’t be a Brian Gutekunst draft without the selection of at least one offensive lineman. Both Broeker and Vorhees have experience playing all over the offensive line, a trait that Gutekunst covets in offensive linemen.
Round 7 (pick 258): Chad Ryland, K, Maryland
Crosby is likely not returning to the Packers in 2023. With Jake Moody off the board, the Packers select their kicker of the future.
