NFL Draft tracker: Grading every Packers pick and trade (Updated)
It's a huge weekend for the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers officially plays for the New York Jets, and the Packers' new starting quarterback is Jordan Love.
Love has spent three years preparing for this moment, and it's now over to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst to find ways to help him.
In 10 of the past 11 drafts, the Packers have selected a defensive player with their top pick. The one exception was when they selected Jordan Love with the 26th overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft. Every other first-rounder has been on defense.
It has already been a huge offseason for the Packers, with many key players departing.
Green Bay traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, where he will be joined by wide receiver Allen Lazard, who signed with the Jets back at the start of free agency.
Tight end Robert Tonyan, defensive linemen Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry, and inside linebacker Krys Barnes all left in free agency.
Other longtime starters in Green Bay, like wide receiver Randall Cobb, tight end Marcedes Lewis, safety Adrian Amos, and kicker Mason Crosby remain unsigned in free agency.
It truly is a new era in Green Bay. Without much salary cap space, it was clear the team needed to make most of their offseason additions in the 2023 NFL Draft, so it's important for the Packers to get their picks right this weekend.
In our live tracker, we will provide instant grades to each of the Packers' picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Packers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Grades for every pick and trade
Round 1 (13): Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
Packers fans might not like the fact they passed up Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but they are landing a potential star at a premium position, and that's never a bad thing. Van Ness can help the Packers' pass rush dominate, especially with his ability to line up on the edge or inside. A fantastic addition to Joe Barry's defense.
Grade: A
Round 2 (42): Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
This is not a drill. The Packers have their tight end! I repeat, the Packers have their tight end! And there is no tight end in this draft class with as much upside as Oregon State's Luke Musgrave. He is 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, and has star potential. He has missed time with injury, so there is some risk, but Musgrave is a phenomenal athlete with sky-high potential.
Grade: A
Round 2 (50): Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Wow! A huge surprise. The Packers go against their usual size and athleticism thresholds at wide receiver to select Jayden Reed. While there's a lot to like about Reed's yards-after-catch ability, this is a surprising pick. Tennessee's Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt were still available.
Grade: C
Round 3 (78): Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
What. A. Pick! Tucker Kraft was viewed as a potential second-round option for the Packers, but here he is in the third. Green Bay has completely transformed its tight end room on Day 2 of the draft, and Jordan Love has to be delighted.
Grade: A+
Round 4 (116): Colby Wooden, DL, Auburn
Another smart pick by the Packers. Adding defensive line depth was an absolute must in this draft, and they have landed a player many predicted would go in the third round. Colby Wooden is yet another great athlete going to Green Bay.
Grade: B+
Round 5 (149): Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State
It seems early to draft Sean Clifford, but following a run on quarterbacks, the Packers get their backup for Jordan Love.
Grade: D
Round 5 (159): Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginina
The Packers add wide receiver depth on Day 3. They hosted Dontayvion Wicks for a pre-draft visit, so he makes a ton of sense in the fifth round.
Grade: C
Round 6 (179): Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green
Great value for Green Bay here. Karl Brooks adds more depth to the defensive line.
Grade: B+
Round 6 (207): Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
The end of an era? Green Bay may have found Mason Crosby's replacement. If Crosby is gone, the Packers made the right call to draft the best kicker available.
Grade: C
Round 7 (232): Carrington Valentine, CB, Kentucky
The Packers needed to add cornerback depth. Great pick.
Grade: A
Round 7 (235): Lew Nichols III, RB, Central Michigan
Another player the Packers had in for a pre-draft visit. They get some running back depth.
Grade: B
Round 7 (242): Anthony Johnson Jr., S, Iowa State
Home. Run. It's not often you can find potential starters in the seventh round. Anthony Johnson Jr. can become a starter. Love this pick.
Grade: A+
Round 7 (256): Grant DuBose, WR, Charlotte
The real winner of this draft is Jordan Love. Grant DuBose is a talented wide receiver to develop.
Grade: B