The decision-makers of the Green Bay Packers spent the better part of the last week in Indianapolis to get an up-close-and-personal look at the 2023 NFL draft class.
Inside and around Lucas Oil Stadium, prospects ran, jumped, performed position drills, met with teams and went through medical exams.
Here are a few important things to know from the NFL Scouting Combine:
TE class looks excellent
This looks like a very good year to need a tight end. It’s a deep, talented and athletic class of tight ends, as the combine showed once again. Michael Mayer, Luke Musgrave, Darnell Washington, Sam LaPorta, and Tucker Kraft all tested well in Indianapolis. Dalton Kincaid didn’t get a chance to showcase his athletic ability due to an injury, but the Packers have to feel great about their chances of getting a good player at tight end – maybe the team’s biggest roster hole entering free agency – with a top 100 pick.
From Brennen Rupp: “I was convinced that Brian Gutekunst was going to take multiple tight ends prior to the combine and now I’d be stunned if Gutekunst doesn’t select one in the first three rounds and another on day three. It wouldn’t even be all that shocking if he took two in the first three rounds. Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, Darnell Washington, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft all offer something different and it’s a safe bet that Gutekunst would like to get his hands on one of those Top Five guys. If Green Bay misses out on one of those five, Sam LaPorta would be a good consolation prize. The Iowa tight end had a good day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Day three names that had impressive showings are Will Mallory, Zack Kuntz, Josh Whyle and Luke Schoonmaker.”
First round WR?
Is there a first-round receiver that fits the Packers? While the likes of Rashee Rice, Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Andrei Iosivas all tested like elite athletes, the class overall is a tough mix of smaller players and average athletes. But you’d have to think a receiver such as Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston remains very much in the conversation to be taken by the Packers at No. 15. Smith-Njigba didn’t run the 40 but was explosive in the jumps and lightning fast in the agilities, while Johnston proved to be an outstanding combination of big and explosive. A few of the best receivers, including Jalin Hyatt and Jordan Addison, weighed in at under 180 pounds.
From Brennen Rupp: “I think the combine further cemented the fact that the Packers won’t be taking a wide receiver at 15. There won’t be a shortage of options for Gutekunst on day two. Even on day three, hello Bryce Ford-Wheaton. Trey Palmer ran the fastest 40 (4.33) of any wide receiver. The Nebraska wide reciver could be a day two target as the Packers look for a vertical threat to pair with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. There are undersized wide receivers that had good days that may not fit the “thresholds” but could be targets as Gutekunst looks to add an explosive wide receiver to the mix. Zay Flowers, Josh Downs, JalenMoreno-Cropper, Tank Dell and Marvin Mims are just a few names. If the Packers don’t bring back Keisean Nixon, Derius Davis could replace him.”
Slower safety class
The safety class doesn’t have a burner prospect. In fact, of the top 100 on the consensus board, only Sydney Brown of Illinois ran under 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. And the RAS scores for most of the top prospects, including Brian Branch and Antonio Johnson, fell below 7.0 out of 10.0. A safety doesn’t need to be an elite athlete with 4.3 speed to be great, but it doesn’t hurt, and the Packers prioritize speed in the secondary. Overall, the Packers won’t have a super athletic class to pick from to help solve this big need position through the draft.
From Brennen Rupp: “This was viewed as a weaker safety class, and the combine did little to change that. Even though he didn’t “wow” athletically, I’d still have no issue taking Brian Branch at 15. The Alabama defensive back may not have the long speed, but he’s just a darn good football player. He has the instincts, short-area quickness, and fluidity to man the slot position for the Packers. On top of all that he’s a reliable open-field tackler. While the top of the class may have left a lot to be desired. A handful of day three prospects made some money. Daniel Scott, Jason Taylor II, and Chamarri Conner all had good days.”
Edge rusher impressions
Lukas Van Ness, Isaiah Foskey, Nolan Smith and Adetomiwa Adebawore were among the top performers at edge rusher. This is a strong and mostly athletic class of rushers, and the Packers probably need to add to the group with a top pick. What flavor do the Packers want? Smith is only 6-2 and under 240 pounds, but he ran 4.39. Van Ness is 6-5 and 272 and ran 4.58 with a 7.02-second three-cone. Incredibly, 15 edge rushers produced a RAS of 8.0 or better.
From Brennen Rupp: “How about a Georgia Bulldog for a third straight year in the first round? Nolan Smith put on a show at the combine, and with Gutekunst”s affinity for drafting Bulldogs, Smith could be the next one that Green Bay’s general manager targets. Smith may be on the lighter side, but he’s so explosive, and I think he digs in enough on the edge that you wouldn’t necessarily have him off the field on first and second down.”
Big Dog 2.0? Or JSN?
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington put on a show after measuring 6-6 and 264 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, covered 10-2 in the broad jump and finished the short shuttle in 4.08 seconds, all incredible numbers for a man hs size. He’s been compared to Marcedes Lewis at every turn, and it’s easy to see why. Washington is big, powerful, versatile and athletic, and he has untapped potential as a pass-catcher. Could the Packers take him to help replace Lewis in 2023?
From Brennen Rupp: “Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be labeled as a slot only wide receiver. However, he’s a detailed route runner with great short-area quickness. The Packers never take wide receivers in the first, but Gutekunst could see the value of adding a pro-ready wide receiver. Plug him in alongside Christian Watson, and the Packers could be cooking with gas.”
