Packers' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL draft is the Green Bay Packers' greatest hope to generate some excitement about their offseason.

The Aaron Rodgers saga and uncertainty about whether they will trade the quarterback to the New York Jets left them with an unclear cap situation throughout free agency. The result is a free-agency period where they've watched some good players leave but only brought in long snapper Matt Orzech and safety Tarvarius Moore.

That leaves the draft as the team's primary avenue for addressing the needs on a roster that went 8-9 last season and just lost Robert Tonyan, Allen Lazard, Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry with Rodgers likely out the door.

The Packers have three picks in the top 100 and could have more if they pull off a Rodgers trade before or during the draft.

Here's a look at three needs they need to address in the draft.

Interior Defensive Line

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Michigan DT Mazi Smith

Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed weren't the best players on the Packers defense last season. Still, their departure represents 1,187 combined snaps from last season on the interior of the defense.

Devonte Wyatt will be expected to take some of those snaps, but it remains a position that needs bodies. Kenny Clark played nearly 80 percent of the defensive snaps, but the Packers preferred a heavy rotation to flank him.

The Packers were the fifth-worst run defense in the league. That's an issue that will need to be fixed, and acquiring some big-bodied tackles up front who can hold their own at the point of attack and free up De'Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker to run behind them is going to be crucial to that goal.

In the first round, someone like Bryan Bresee would be an interesting fit. The 6'5", 298-pounder is a gifted athlete with rare power and athleticism for his frame.

If they pass on the Clemson product then a Mazi Smith or a Gervon Dexter Sr. might make sense in Rounds 2 or 3. Smith is an uber-athletic nose tackle from Michigan with strength to spare and has the potential to be an elite run defender.

Dexter is a 6'6" 310-pound athlete who would be perfect 3-4 defensive end with the length to develop into a good pass-rusher in the league.

Tight End

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Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer

It might have been time for Robert Tonyan to move on, but the veteran's departure leaves a pretty big hole at the tight end position.

Josiah Deguara and Tyler Scott are the only two tight ends who played last season that are on the roster. For a Packers offense that played a lot of two-tight end sets in 2022, that's a problem.

Deguara makes sense as a move tight end who can essentially play like a fullback and off-ball blocker, but the Packers could use a more traditional, big-bodied tight end who is going to provide Jordan Love with a target in the passing game.

The obvious answer at No. 15 is Michael Mayer. The Notre Dame product is the best tight end in a class that is deep at the position. He has been the Fighting Irish's best receiver over the last two seasons and would immediately become a top option for this current Packers offense.

If the Packers wait until Rounds 2 or 3, there are still intriguing options. Luke Schoonmaker is a likely Round 3 selection that would make sense. He was asked to be a blocker at Michigan but has upside as a receiver who can attack the seam and be a vertical threat.

Safety

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Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph

The Packers have enjoyed some continuity at the safety position for years. Going all the way back to 2019, Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage have been the primary players on the backend.

At a position that requires a lot of communication and synergy, the continuity has been huge.

It looks like that will come to an end in 2023. Adrian Amos has yet to be re-signed, and it wouldn't be shocking if the club has no intentions of doing so. The 29-year-old is coming off his worst season at Lambeau and the Packers have an opportunity to upgrade at the position.

If the team wants to build another safety tandem that can last them for at least the next four or five years, then they should be looking to replace Amos through the draft. Tarvarius Moore is a fine free-agency pickup, but he was only a spot starter in San Francisco.

First-round options for the Packers at the position include Brian Branch and Antonio Johnson, although it would be better if the Packers were to trade back if they are the targets. They rank 28th and 33rd on the B/R big board.

Day 2 options that make sense feature Brandon Joseph from Notre Dame. The 6'1", 192-pounder was named the "best in zone coverage" by B/R's scouting department and is a potential Round 3 pick.

That would be great value for a team that needs some youth at the position.