Green Bay Packers Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, doesn't matter. Whoever is under center for Green Bay in 2023 would benefit from Michael Mayer's blocking prowess, reliable hands and ability to get open in the biggest of moments. He'd be an immediate upgrade over impending free agent Robert Tonyan.

The further we get outside of the top-10, the harder it will be to pass on Mayer. The Irish pipeline at tight end to the NFL continues to flourish. Mayer isn't as explosive as Kyle Pitts, but his receiving acumen, size (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) and toughness put him just a tick below Pitts as a prospect. Both Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis will be free agents.

For the third season in a row, the Packers have lost their final game played at home with little to no production from the tight end position. In those aforementioned games, over a combined three seasons, Green Bay's tight ends registered 11 receptions for 79 yards and just one touchdown. Drafting Notre Dame's best and most accomplished tight end in school history could only improve a passing attack that struggles on crucial downs in close games.

The Packers need to figure out their post-Aaron Rodgers situation again. Keeping Jordan Love around might create a difficult salary-cap situation, so they might as well restart the rookie contract clock on a quarterback. Richardson has top 1 percent physical attributes, but he needs time before being the face of a franchise. Sitting behind Rodgers could be beneficial for him.

The Packers need a receiver, but with the two top prospects at the position off the board, they can focus on bolstering their offensive line, which needs a better bookend for David Bakhtiari.

Paris Johnson has good athleticism for an offensive lineman, and he can play both tackle and guard.

More receiving help for Aaron Rodgers with Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb set for free agency. Addison is a dynamic route runner with a high floor.

No, it's not a first-round pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers or his eventual successor. The 6-0, 193-pound Branch isn't as flashy as some of his more highly touted Crimson Tide peers in this draft, but whether in coverage or run support, he has a knack for finding the ball. The Packers' future at safety is unclear with Adrian Amos and Rudy Ford no longer under contract, and Branch's versatility would be an asset to the defense regardless of who returns.

Well, the Green Bay Packers didn't draft a wide receiver in the first round yet again in 2022. But everyone can forgive the organization because A) Christian Watson developed into a legit weapon this season, and B) Georgia tight end Darnell Washington can be viewed as the unicorn in the upcoming draft class.

"Marcedes Lewis plays a key role in the Green Bay Packers offense as a blocker and short-range target," Klassen said, "but he'll be 39 years old next season and isn't set to return. Washington gives the Packers what Lewis provided as a blocker and a chance to be so much more.

"The 21-year-old prospect sports a massive 6'7" and 270-pound build and plays to his size in the running game by regularly burying defenders to clear space for his backs.

"As a pass-catcher, Washington has dangerous potential. He's not yet as dominant at the catch point as a team might like, but he has rare movement skills for a player his size, which is worth betting big on his upside."

The addition of a talented tight end prospect is even more important, considering both Robert Tonyan Jr. and Lewis are free agents this offseason. Plus, another physically gifted target to go alongside Watson should make quarterback Aaron Rodgers happy as well, which is always a major factor in these decisions.

The thought of the 6'5" Watson and the hulking Washington on the same side of the formation is nightmare fuel for opposing defensive coordinators.

Left tackle David Bahktiari hasn't played a full season since 2019 and isn't getting any younger (31). Skoronski is a solid player who should be able to make a smooth transition to the NFL game.

The Packers may very well be content going into 2023 with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs as their one-two punch after how strongly they came on down the stretch this season. They may not be as happy with the middling production they got from pending free agent Robert Tonyan at tight end, though. Mayer is a tremendous blocker and an ultra-reliable underneath route runner. He could be the chain-mover that quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs.

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