Packers land future star in 4-round mock draft 2023

With the 2023 NFL Draft on the horizon, it is time to look over what a possible mock draft could look like for the Green Bay Packers. Keep in mind, this is a mock draft that does not include the possible draft picks being received from the New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers trade.

Following free agency, the Packers have some glaring needs at some positions. Specifically, tight end after losing Robert Tonyan to the Bears, and safety, which they didn't re-sign Adrian Amos.

This mock draft was done using the PFF mock draft simulator.

Round 1 (15): Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Lukas Van Ness seems to be a great prospect that could land in Green Bay. The Packers desperately need someone to crash the edge of the defensive line and with Preston Smith getting older, Rashan Gary would need some help.

An edge defender out of Iowa, Van Ness doesn’t have much experience but has a lot of potential. The Packers never really use their first-round selection to draft weapons for their quarterbacks and although this draft is heavy on tight end, which is a need, I doubt that they would use the first-round pick on a TE when they could wait and get one in the later rounds.

An edge defender makes sense because that position is becoming more valuable in the NFL with players like TJ Watt, Micah Parsons, and Aaron Donald coming off the edge makes a huge difference in a game.

Van Ness stands at 6-5, weighs 269 pounds and has a 40-yard dash time of 4.81 seconds. He has only had two years of playing time at Iowa, but in those two years he had 13.5 sacks and 69 tackles in his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

With Van Ness' ability to stop the run, it would be useful to the Packers defense, which was the seventh-worst rushing defense in 2022.

Round 2 (45): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Running a 4.46 40-yard dash, the 6-foot-7 tight end from Georgia seems to be the perfect fit to help Jordan Love in the passing game.

Washington has a huge frame and a great physique, which allows him to mismatch linebackers when defending. Although he has a huge size advantage against most safeties and linebackers, he does need to work on his footwork to become a great blocker like a tight end needs to be.

At Georgia, Washington wasn't the main reason why they won the National Championship, but as the #2 tight end option for Stetson Bennett, he was able to have near 800 yards and 3 TDs in his three-year tenure.

Plus, the Packers love taking Georgia players early in the draft.

Round 3 (78): Jordan Battle, S, Alabama

With a need at safety, I could see the Packers taking Alabama's Jordan Battle. He had six interceptions over the course of his four years at Alabama and three touchdowns. He also combined for 252 tackles in total and 10 passes defended.

Although he slowed down over last season, he had an amazing 2021 season. Much like former Packers safety Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Battle shows a lot of promise that could turn into another Pro Bowl safety for the Packers in the future.

Round 4 (116): Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma

Although David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman will be the Packers starting offensive tackles going into next season, they should begin thinking long term. Bakh has a huge contract, but, even though he does deserve it, he might be a cap casuality in the next coming seasons.

Plus, it never hurts to add some depth to the offensive line.