Early 2023 mock draft has Packers adding tight end in first round

A recent 2023 mock draft has the Green Bay Packers strengthening the offense in the first round.

Unfortunately, based on how this season is going, Green Bay Packers fans could soon be shifting their focus to the 2023 NFL Draft.

Having already lost their seventh game by mid-November, the Packers’ playoff hopes are effectively over. They could end up with a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.

Joe Broback of Pro Football Network has put together a mock draft for 2023. Green Bay owns the 14th selection, which Broback notes was based on the NFL standings from before the Packers’ Thursday night loss to the Tennessee Titans.

At 14th overall in the mock draft, Green Bay selects Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, who Broback notes “brings a great blend of run blocking with pass catching.”

Tight end could be one of the Packers’ biggest needs in the offseason, as Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis are free agents.

While Green Bay has added young wide receiver talent in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, work still needs to be done, and tight end would be a good place to start.

Mayer has played in 10 games for Notre Dame this season, making 54 catches for 647 yards and seven touchdowns. He is averaging 12 yards per reception.

He could become a reliable target in the middle of the field for Green Bay, and his blocking ability would be important, especially if Marcedes Lewis isn’t back in 2023.

Aaron Rodgers’ future will likely have an impact on how the Packers approach the offseason. If he continues to play in 2023, it will be important for the Packers to get him as much help as possible.

If Rodgers retires, the best option would be to hit the reset button, which could bring other positions into play early in the draft.

Mayer could be a solid first-round selection if Green Bay picks in the middle of the first round, as it did in this mock draft.