After weeks of speculation, the Green Bay Packers have finally worked out a trade with the New York Jets centered around quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay did well in the deal, moving up two spots in the first round while also getting a second and sixth-round pick in this year’s draft. They will have an additional first or second in 2024 depending on how many snaps Rodgers plays for the Jets as well.
With a deal now completed, the Packers can turn all of their focus to the draft. Their roster has a few needs with arguably the most glaring ones being on the offensive side of the ball. Once again, this roster needs some help at the skill positions.
Green Bay could use some help at wide receiver with Allen Lazard departing in free agency and Randall Cobb not being re-signed. It is the second straight season they are losing a top playmaker after Davnate Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling left in 2022.
But, the tight end spot also needs help this offseason. Robert Tonyan signed with the Chicago Bears and Marcedes Lewis remains a free agent. Josiah Deguara is the only tight end currently under contract, so that will have to eventually change as well.
With the NFL Draft set to get underway tomorrow, some latest rumors were shared by Matt Miller and Jordan Reid of ESPN. Miller believes that the Packers will add a skill position player early on in the draft, but it won’t be a wide receiver. Their streak of not selecting a wide receiver, which stretches back to 2002, will continue in his opinion.
“And while many are projecting the Packers will finally use a premium pick on a pass-catcher to support young quarterback Jordan Love (assuming Aaron Rodgers is traded), I don’t see it happening this year either. At least not a wide receiver. I’d instead look for them to add a tight end — maybe Utah’s Dalton Kincaid — in the first round at No. 15 overall, with wide receiver once again being addressed later in the draft.”
The Packers are now selecting 13th overall courtesy of the Rodgers trade, so their plans could be adjusted slightly. Alas, while their draft position has changed, their needs remain the same. If they were going to select Dalton Kincaid at No. 15, there would be no qualms about selecting him at No. 13.
Michael Mayer out of Notre Dame is another tight end to keep an eye on for the Packers if that is the direction they ultimately decide to go in. Getting Love a reliable weapon, whether it is at tight end or wide receiver, should be atop the Packers’ to-do list during the 2023 NFL Draft.
