Packers strengthen offensive line in early 2023 mock draft
Could the Green Bay Packers strengthen their offensive line in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft?
Could fixing the offensive line be the Green Bay Packers‘ top priority next offseason?
After last week’s poor performance against the New York Jets’ defense, it sure could be.
There is some uncertainty along the offensive line entering Week 7. Who makes the Packers’ best starting five? Should Royce Newman get benched? Should Elgton Jenkins move back to guard?
Given their struggles in recent weeks, it’s entirely possible adding offensive linemen will be near the top of the to-do list in the upcoming offseason.
Packers land top tackle in early 2023 mock draft
A recent 2023 mock draft by Jacob Schyvinck over at NFL Mocks has the Packers addressing the offensive line in the first round.
The mock has Green Bay picking 17th in the first round, a choice the team uses to select Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.
Schyvinck wrote:
"“When it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft, don’t expect a first round receiver. In fact, stop giving them one. It won’t happen. Instead, the Packers look for a premium position here, and get Penn State’s Olu Fashanu. He’s an extremely young player (just 19) who has looked fantastic in pass protection this season.”"
It’s never a bad idea to draft tackles in the first round. It’s a premium position, and one most teams don’t have enough talent at. The Packers’ offensive line has also become a concern in recent weeks, mostly at the interior spots, but also at tackle.
Elgton Jenkins has struggled somewhat at tackle, leading to some uncertainty over his best long-term position. He was a Pro Bowler at guard in 2020, so perhaps a move back inside is what needs to happen.
In that case, tackle could become one of the Packers’ biggest offseason needs in 2023.
As Schyvinck points out in the mock draft, we shouldn’t expect a first-round wide receiver for Green Bay. Especially if tackle is a big offseason need. You can find wide receiver talent in the later rounds, but finding quality tackles isn’t always as easy, despite the Packers’ strong track record.
Drafting a tackle in the first round isn’t always a popular choice, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a smart move.