The NFC North is becoming more and more competitive. By extension, the Green Bay Packers needed their available 2023 NFL Draft picks to keep up with the changes.
Want to see how the Packers graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Then come check out our full Green Bay Packers draft grades. You can also see the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.
Green Bay Packers Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1 | Pick 13 (from NYJ)
Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa - Round 2 | Pick 42 (from NYJ)
Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State - Round 2 | Pick 50 (from TB)
Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State - Round 3 | Pick 78
Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State - Round 4 | Pick 116
Colby Wooden, EDGE | Auburn - Round 5 | Pick 149
Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State - Round 5 | Pick 159 (from DET, via JAX and ATL)
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia - Round 6 | Pick 179 (from HOU, via TB)
Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green - Round 6 | Pick 207 (from NYJ)
Anders Carlson, K, Auburn - Round 7 | Pick 232
Carrington Valentine, CB, Kentucky - Round 7 | Pick 235 (from DET via LAR)
Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan - Round 7 | Pick 242 (from JAX)
Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State - Round 7 | Pick 256*
Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte
*Compensatory selection
How Many Draft Picks Did the Packers Have in the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Packers started the 2023 NFL Draft with 11 selections and ended it with 13. They received an impressive three picks this year in exchange for QB Aaron Rodgers in a massive trade with the New York Jets (picks 13, 42, and 207). On top of that capital, they had two picks in Rounds 5 and 6 each, to go along with four seventh-round selections.
MORE: History of Green Bay Packers First-Round NFL Draft Picks
Green Bay has historically been one of the league’s most consistent squads when it comes to acquiring and keeping capital. They’ve had at least seven selections in each draft since 2004. That steady stream of picks has allowed the Packers to maintain a strong talent base, which they’ve used to stay in contention in the NFC through the latter years of the Rodgers era.
On paper, at the very least, the Packers did a tremendous job in the 2023 NFL Draft. They made use of their early-round capital, adding a rare raw talent on the defensive line in Lukas Van Ness. Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, they composed a formidable TE duo in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Then they added the perfect complement to Christian Watson with Jayden Reed — a natural separator, catcher, and vertical threat.
On Day 3, the Packers had nine selections, and they made the most of those picks. There were a couple questionable decisions. Round 5 may have been a bit rich for Sean Clifford. And Green Bay’s kicker selection — Anders Carlson — wasn’t as efficient as desired in college. But aside from those two picks, Green Bay knocked Day 3 out of the park.
Colby Wooden is a versatile defensive lineman who can play outside the tackle or inside at 2i and 3-tech, as is Karl Brooks. Dontayvion Wicks and Grant DuBose are both long, wiry receiving threats with short-area athleticism and superb catching instincts. Anthony Johnson Jr. is an experienced DB with versatility all across the secondary, and Carrington Valentine has potential starter upside with his high-energy traits and physicality.
The Packers needed a strong 2023 NFL Draft class to springboard into the Jordan Love era and give the young QB a jolt of momentum. Time will tell if this class delivers on its potential, but based on pre-draft evaluations, Green Bay did exceptionally well on all three days.
