NFL Draft Prospects Packers Must Target After 2023 Shrine, Senior Bowls

The Green Bay Packers have the No. 15 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. That's much earlier than they've selected in recent years after a season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since Matt LaFleur became head coach in 2019.

Not only will Green Bay be picking fairly early, but it will also be on the clock quite often, as it owns eight selections in this year's draft. The team will aim to add players who can help lead it back to the postseason in the near future.

In the past week, Green Bay and the NFL's 31 other teams have been hard at work scouting college prospects. The East-West Shrine Bowl took place on Thursday, followed by the Senior Bowl two days later.

Here are several standouts from those events who could be targets for the Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

Trey Dean III, S, Florida

AP Photo/John Locher

West safety Trey Dean III of Florida runs after making an interception against East during the first half of the East-West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The East-West Shrine Bowl proved to be a defensive battle, and Trey Dean III made one of the biggest plays in the contest.

The former Florida safety notched an interception, one of the two turnovers that was forced by the West team.

Over five seasons with the Gators, he had only four interceptions in 57 games, including none during the 2022 campaign. But he had a strong showing last year and recorded 81 tackles in 12 games.

Dean, who was named the defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl, would be a great addition to the Green Bay secondary. The Packers need to add talent to their defensive backfield, and he is an experienced player who could quickly step into a key role.

With his performance through the week leading up to the Shrine Bowl, Dean showed he may only be getting better. And his draft stock is clearly on the rise because of that.

Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 04: Tight End Josh Whyle #81 of Cincinnati from the National Team on a catch and run play during the 2023 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on February 4, 2023 in Mobile, Alabama. The National defeated the American 27 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

Robert Tonyan is a solid tight end when healthy, but that's still a position the Packers may want to seek an upgrade for this offseason, especially because the former Detroit Lions man and Marcedes Lewis are both set to hit free agency.

Josh Whyle could be a good fit in the Packers' offense. He scored 15 touchdowns in 35 games over the past three seasons at Cincinnati, and he recorded one 13-yard catch in the Senior Bowl. But he's capable of much larger production once he reaches the NFL, as his skill set should translate to the league.

"He measured 6-foot-6 1/2, 260 pounds, and he can move. He's done a good job in the run game, as well," NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah wrote of the 23-year-old.

It makes a lot of sense for Green Bay to add a tight end in this year's draft. And if it can come away with Whyle, the team would be gaining a player who may get into the end zone often.

Jalen Wayne, WR, South Alabama

AP Photo/Butch Dill

American wide receiver Jalen Wayne of South Alabama (8) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Jalen Wayne had a lot of passes thrown his way during the Senior Bowl, and he made the most of them. He recorded a game-high eight catches and led the American team with 50 receiving yards.

The former South Alabama standout spent six seasons with the Jaguars, showing continual improvement each year. That led to his impressive performance during the 2022 campaign, when he had 58 catches for 816 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games (all career highs).

The Packers don't have many wide receivers under contract for the 2023 season. At this point, their only key returners are set to be Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, as Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb will both be hitting free agency.

Green Bay needs more playmakers in its receiving corps, and Wayne would boost that unit. And because he has so much college experience, he could quickly become a contributor in the NFL.