Packers 2023 two-round mock draft: Future star in first round

Round 2 (40): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Cornerback won’t be Green Bay’s number one need in the offseason, but it’s always a position worth upgrading where possible. Most teams don’t have enough quality cornerbacks, so draft them where you can.

Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez could be a first-rounder, so when he fell to 40th overall in this mock draft, it was a quick decision.

“Gonzalez has all the tools of a star NFL corner, with the height, weight, speed, and athletic profile required of a lockdown defender,” writes Robert Gregson of Sports Illustrated.

This season for Oregon, Gonzalez has made seven pass defenses and four interceptions in 12 games.

Imagine the Packers’ cornerback depth in 2023 if they drafted Gonzalez.

They would have an All-Pro in Jaire Alexander, two top draft picks in Gonzalez and Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas. There wouldn’t be a better cornerback group in the NFL.

The Packers will have other more urgent needs in the offseason. Safety and tight end could top the list as current starters Adrian Amos, Robert Tonyan, and Marcedes Lewis are among the team’s upcoming free agents in 2023.

But drafting for need isn’t always a great choice. Sometimes it’s better to take the best player available. In this mock draft, it was Gonzalez.