We are now on the eve of the 2023 NFL draft. The big news earlier this week was that the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets finally came to an agreement regarding the trade of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had spent the first 18 years of his career in Titletown. The trade of Rodgers to the Jets was eerily similar to the trade of the man Rodgers replaced in Green Bay…quarterback Brett Favre, who also was traded to the Jets in 2008.
The trade of Rodgers to the Jets added some draft capital to the Packers both in 2023 and 2024. Here is the breakdown of the trade: The Packers receive pick No. 13, a second-round pick (No. 42) and a sixth-round pick (No. 207) in this year’s draft, plus a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first-round pick if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays this season. The Jets get Rodgers, plus pick No. 15 and a 5th-round pick (No. 170) this year.
In previous years, going back to 2001, I have put out a number of mock drafts per year, but because I’ve been focused on Run to Win: My Packers Life from Lombardi to Canton, the book I wrote with Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer, I’m only doing one mock draft this year.
With Love being a first-year starter at quarterback, I believe general manager Brian Gutekunst will try and add some weaponry for Love to utilize in the passing game, although the success of the running game will be a huge aid in helping Love enhance his passing prowess in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.
With the trade of Rodgers, I expect the Packers to add another quarterback in this draft, but more towards the end of the draft. Right now, the Packers only have two quarterbacks on their roster, Love and Danny Etling. I also see the Packers adding a veteran quarterback to backup Love. One possibility is Matt Ryan. Why? Ryan was NFL MVP in 2016 when he played for the Atlanta Falcons and his quarterback coach was none other than Matt LaFleur. Ryan is now a free agent after the Indianapolis Colts released him in March.
The Packers have 11 picks in the 2023 draft, and they need to add quality depth at a number of positions, plus need to continue adding talent to their special team units, which showed a big improvement in 2022 under the coaching of Rich Bisaccia.
As per usual, I will be using the insight and knowledge from NFL scout Chris Landry for my selections for the Packers. I will be using Landry’s top 300 horizontal draft board (best players regardless of position), as well as putting out the scouting report Landry has for each prospect I will select for the Packers.
Without further ado, here is my one and only 2023 NFL mock draft for the Packers.
Round 1: Tight End Dalton Kincaid (Utah)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 246 pounds
Tight end Dalton Kincaid was certainly a playmaker for the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 conference the past two seasons. Kincaid combined to catch 106 passes for 1,400 and 16 touchdowns. Kincaid was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2021 and then was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2022, plus received third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press.
Kincaid will give quarterback Jordan Love a seam-stretching tight end who catches the ball extremely well, plus breaks tackles with ease. Some scouts have compared Kincaid’s talents at tight end to that of Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Others see him more like George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. Either way, the offense of the Packers will be getting another dynamic playmaker.
Kincaid does not have the blocking ability that Michael Mayer of Notre Dame has but is much more dangerous downfield after the catch. I also see the Packers adding two tight ends in the 2023 NFL draft, because of the lack of depth and talent at the position. The second tight end that the Packers select will be more of a blocking weapon to enhance the run game.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Kincaid:
With his basketball background, Kincaid has fluid movement skills and flashes the short-area quickness to open stride and accelerate in and out of his breaks. He is a natural ball winner and shows confidence in his hands, doing most of his damage when catching the ball on the move (remarkable 35-to-4 touchdown-to-drop ratio in college). Overall, Kincaid is still developing his play strength and consistency as a blocker, but he is an above-average pass catcher with the burst, body control and ball skills to be a weapon in the slot. He projects as a playmaking “move” tight end in the NFL.
Round 2: Wide Receiver Josh Downs (North Carolina)
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 171 pounds
Josh Downs put up incredible numbers at North Carolina the past two seasons. In 2021, Downs had 101 receptions for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2022, Downs had another great year, as he had 94 catches for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns. Downs was named first-team All-ACC honors in both 2021 and 2022. Downs was also named second-team AP All-American in 2022.
Downs also has experience as a punt returner, as he returned 26 punts for an 11.1 average for the Tarheels. Downs, who ran a 4.48 in the 40, would be the perfect slot receiver for the Packers and would really compliment Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs at the wide receiver position.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Downs:
With his athleticism and route-running prowess, Downs looks like a predator playing with his prey, patiently throttling his speed with a clear understanding of how to get open and move the sticks. He is obviously undersized, but he has the catch radius of a bigger player, and his competitive chip comes from always being a little smaller on the football field. Overall, Downs’ lack of size will face more resistance versus physical NFL coverage, but he is a tough cover in the slot one-on-one thanks to his gear changes and shifty route running. He projects as a three-level slot weapon for an NFL offense and adds punt return value.
Round 2: Edge Rusher Will McDonald IV (Iowa State)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 239 pounds
Will McDonald IV was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and played football at Waukesha North High School. McDonald then went to Iowa State, where he accumulated 34 career sacks for the Cyclones, which is tied for the best mark in Big 12 history.
McDonald had 125 total tackles at Iowa State, which included 40.5 tackles for a loss, plus forced 10 fumbles during his collegiate career. McDonald was named first-team All-Big 12 for three consecutive years. He was also named third-team AP All-American in 2021.
The Packers need to add another edge rusher in this draft and bringing in a local kid like McDonald would be a great story. The team’s best pass rusher, Rashan Gary, is coming off of an ACL injury, while Preston Smith (8.5 sacks in 2022) and Kingsley Engabare (three sacks) are the only other players who can bring pressure from the edge.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on McDonald:
With his length and quick-twitch movements, McDonald is able to separate from blockers, burst to close and finish in the pocket. However, his pass rush currently lacks ideal deception, power or setup efficiency, and offenses aren’t afraid to attack him in the run game because of his average play strength. Overall, McDonald is more toolsy than seasoned and might never become the sum of his parts, but his natural length, flexibility and explosiveness are an enticing combination. He projects as a sub-package pass rusher as an NFL rookie with the potential to be more down the road.
Round 3: Safety Jartavius “Quan” Martin (Illinois)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 194 pounds
Jartavius “Quan” Martin had a very solid career playing safety at Illinois. Over five seasons, Martin had 225 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, one sack, seven interceptions, 22 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. In 2022, starting for the top-ranked scoring defense in the country, Martin was named third-team All- Big Ten.
Martin ran a 4.46 in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, plus was third among all safeties in the 10-yard split with a mark of 1.47 and was also ranked first among all safeties in the vertical jump with a mark of 44 inches.
The Packers need to add a safety in this draft, as Adrian Amos has not been re-signed, while Darnell Savage was benched for a while in the 2022 season.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Martin:
Martin is an alert player with the on-field athletic twitch that didn’t disappoint at the NFL combine. Though he covers a ton of ground, he can be a 90-10 player at times — coverage looks great the first 90 percent of the play but loses phase late attempting to find the football and make a play (see his touchdown allowed on 2022 Purdue tape). Overall, Martin needs to become a better finisher, but he is an outstanding athlete with cover skills, tackling attitude and above-average football character. Though he offers experience across the secondary, he is best suited inside as a nickel defender.
Round 4: Defensive Lineman Byron Young (Alabama)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 294 pounds
Byron Young had a four-year career at Alabama and had 130 total tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
The Packers defensive line needs a run-stuffer like Young, as the Packers finished 26th in the NFL in run defense in 2022. The Packers also saw Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed leave the team via free agency.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Young:
A smart, assignment-sound run defender, Young is quick to read blocks and put himself in a leveraged position to make plays from different alignments. He has the technical know-how to free himself as a rusher, but his secondary rush and finishing skills are subpar. Young doesn’t play with desired explosiveness or mass, but he can break down the rhythm of blockers with his length, awareness and skill. He is scheme-diverse and will provide immediate depth as an NFL rotational player.
Round 5: Offensive Tackle Braeden Daniels (Utah)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 294 pounds
Braeden Daniels is the type of offensive lineman that the Packers love due to his versatility. In his time at Utah, Daniels saw time a left guard (18 starts), right tackle (11 starts and left tackle (14 starts). Daniels was named second-team All-Pac 12 in 2021 when he split time at left guard and right tackle and first-team All-Pac 12 in 2022 when he played at left tackle.
Over his career, Daniels only allowed five sacks in nearly 1,400 pass-blocking snaps in his career at Utah.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Daniels:
Daniels will require development time to refine his footwork and consistency to match up with NFL rushers, but he has the athletic twitch and versatility to boost an offensive line depth chart in the NFL. His experience at multiple positions is a plus and he grades as a swing tackle/guard with down-the-road starting upside.
Round 6: Linebacker Dee Winters (TCU)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 227 pounds
Dee Winters was a tackling machine at TCU, as he had 246 total tackles and 33.5 tackles for a loss. In addition, Winters had 12.5 career sacks, three interceptions (including one for a touchdown), seven passes defensed and two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown). Winters was named first-team All- Big 12 in 2022.
Winters is very fast for a linebacker, as he ran a 4.49 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Packers need to add more depth at the linebacker position, as Krys Barnes left via free agency, plus the play of both De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker was too inconsistent, especially in stopping the run.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Winters:
Winters will run himself out of plays and can be engulfed in tight quarters, but he is in perpetual chase mode and covers a lot of green. He is a run-and-hit linebacker prospect with special-teams abilities.
Round 7: Wide Receiver C.J. Johnson (East Carolina)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 224 pounds
C.J Johnson had a very nice four-year career at East Carolina, as he had 175 career receptions for 2,849 yards and 21 touchdowns. Johnson has nice size but is not particularly quick. He reminds me a lot of former Packer Allen Lazard, especially with his ability to block in the running game.
The Packers need to use the draft to add to the quality depth at wide receiver. I also see the Packers using free agency to bring in a veteran wide receiver to add to the trio of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Johnson:
Johnson owns an NFL body with high-quality play strength and ball skills, but his ordinary athleticism might limit the ways to get him the football. He projects best as a slot receiver who can make a living between the numbers.
Round 7: Cornerback Arquon Bush (Cincinnati)
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 187 pounds
Arquon Bush had a very solid career at Cincinnati, as he had 113 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, one sack, nine interceptions (including one for a touchdown), 21 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Bush was an honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2022.
The Packers need to add depth in the secondary at both safety and cornerback. Bush can also help out on special teams, as he blocked two kicks in his career with the Bearcats.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Bush:
Bush isn’t on the same level as a pro prospect as former Cincinnati teammates Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant, but speed and ball skills are critical at the cornerback position, and he checks those boxes. His experience in the nickel only helps his chances of securing a role on an NFL roster.
Round 7: Tight End Blake Whiteheart (Wake Forest)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 247 pounds
Blake Whiteheart did not put up eye-popping receiving stats at Wake Forest during his career there, as he had 44 career receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns. But his blocking prowess came in handy, as the Demon Deacons averaged 132 rushing yards per game in 2021 and 2022.
Whitehearst can also help out on special teams, as he has extensive experience on the kick and punt teams at Wake Forest.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Whiteheart:
Whiteheart might lack a distinguishing trait, but he has plenty of useful traits as a tough-minded blocker and capable receiver. He projects as a gritty move tight end (in the Tyler Conklin mold) with special-teams skills.
Round 7: Quarterback Max Duggan (TCU)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 207 pounds
Max Duggan was a four-year starter at quarterback for TCU. In his career with the Horned Frogs, Duggan threw for 9,618 yards and had 73 touchdown passes compared to 28 interceptions. That adds up to a passer rating of 141.4. In 2022, Duggan accumulated a number of honors. Duggan was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year, second-team AP All-American and also the winner of the Davey O’Brien (named after the former TCU star) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards as the nation’s top quarterback.
Duggan also led TCU to the College Football Playoff in 2022.
Duggan also ran the ball well at TCU, as he rushed for 1,856 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. Duggan ran a 4.52 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Here is Chris Landry’s scouting report on Duggan:
Duggan is a passionate player with the arm strength, toughness and escapability to make plays with his legs and through the air. Though he showed growth in 2022, he isn’t a functionally-sound passer, and his sporadic field reads and accuracy are a high hurdle to clear at the next level. Overall, Duggan’s pocket skills and downfield passing lack the necessary refinement for the NFL game, but he is a courageous competitor with dual-threat talent and calm confidence. He is an intriguing project for a patient NFL coaching staff.
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