All of the attention this offseason when it comes to the Green Bay Packers has been on the quarterback position. Is 2023 the offseason in which the Packers cut ties with Aaron Rodgers? There has been a lot of speculation about what they will do, as there is a real chance Rodgers plays elsewhere.
Green Bay sounds like they are ready to turn the keys of their offense over to Jordan Love, a 2020 first-round pick out of Utah State. Alas, regardless of who is under center for the Packers in 2023, there are a few holes on the roster that need filling.
A lot of the work will likely be done during free agency, but any needs that remain after that can be attacked during the 2023 NFL Draft. The Packers have 11 selections in the draft, with five of them coming in the seventh round.
Who could the Packers look to select earlier in the draft? Here are three second-round targets for the Packers to consider.
3. EDGE Andre Carter II Army
The Packers need to bolster their pass rush this offseason. The return of Rashan Gary is up in the air after tearing his ACL in Week 9 of the 2022 season. His injury left Preston Smith as the only consistent pass rusher on the defense.
In need of someone else to get after the quarterback, the Packers could consider Andre Carter II out of Army. With his military commitment being allowed to occur after his playing career, Carter will find himself on plenty of more draft boards now.
There was some buzz that Carter could be a first-round pick as his 14.5 sack season in 2021 caught the attention of a lot of people. Possessing the size and tools to develop into a starter eventually, the Packers could find a use for Carter’s pass-rushing ability early on as he rounds out the rest of his skill set.
2. S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Every year some players shoot up draft boards during the NFL Combine while some see their stock tumble. Antonio Johnson is one player that could see a slip down the board, which the Packers could take full advantage of.
With Adrian Amos hitting free agency, Green Bay could be in the market for a long-term answer alongside Darnell Savage Jr. Antonio Johnson’s numbers were pretty poor during the combine, but the performance on tape leads you to believe he can make an impact at the next level.
The size and physicality you want from a safety are there. He plays best near the line of scrimmage but is a capable coverage guy that can line up in the slot. Johnson can hold his own against tight ends and wide receivers that don’t possess above-average speed, making him more impactful near the line of scrimmage.
If his technique in coverage can get cleaned up, his impact in the passing game will be felt that much more.
1. TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
There aren’t many guarantees in life other than death, taxes and the Packers needing to add more pass-catching weapons to their offense. Whether Rodgers or Love is under center, this is a team that needs more talent at tight end and wide receiver.
In this exercise, we go with the tight end spot being addressed. The Packers could be in a position to snag Micheal Mayer in the first round, but if they miss out on him or opt to go in a different direction, Luke Musgrave will be a nice alternative.
A knee injury robbed Musgrave of a true breakout campaign in 2022, as he appeared in only the first two games of the season before being sidelined. A well-rounded athlete, the skill is there for him to be a plug-and-play contributor Day 1, especially in two-tight end sets.
With nearly the entire depth chart being overturned in Green Bay, Musgrave could find himself in a large role right off the bat should he land with the franchise.
