Welcome to our dueling 2023 Packers mock drafts. CHTV colleague Joseph Randolph and I each took swings at Packers’ picks for the first four rounds, focusing on what we think Brian Gutekunst & Co. are likely to do, though it’s hard not to let our own hopes seep into our thinking. For each pick we also chose an alternate, in case our original selection is off the board. We explain our thinking for each, or you can just check the charts for a quick view of the picks. 

At the bottom, you can vote for which of the mocks you think is smarter. Or just flame us in the comments. And remember to check out the CheeseheadTV draft guide!

Here we go, with Joseph’s mock first:

Round 1, pick 15: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Basic stats: 6’6/313 lbs. RAS: n/a

If there was ever a player to break the Packers streak of going defense in the 1st round, it’s Paris Johnson Jr. The label of franchise left tackle is rare air for any NFL draft class, and Paris sits up there alone for 2023. From a size standpoint, he checks all the boxes standing at 6’6, 313 lbs with lengthy 36” arms. But what impresses me most about Johnson is how he moves that massive frame; you would think he was a Tight End or Linebacker with the athleticism he put on display at Ohio State’s Pro Day. Johnson has cut his teeth on the Buckeye’s offensive line since he arrived in Columbus as a freshman, seeing snaps early before becoming the starting right guard in 2021 as a sophomore and then being elevated to starting left tackle as a junior in 2022. In three years for the Buckeyes, Paris Johnson only surrendered 3 sacks and 1 hit on the quarterback, with an overall grade of 83.0 per PFF. With only 1 year of experience at left tackle, Paris Johnson has already shown so much, and he still has room to grow, both as a technician and physically as his frame can stand to see some more muscle. Paris Johnson Jr. brings to the Packers a ready replacement for David Bakhtiari while also providing the necessary versatility to bump inside when necessary due to injuries.

If he’s gone: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Basic stats: 6’5/298 lbs.  RAS 9.61

The Tigers’ Bresee is scheme versatile and can play anywhere along the defensive line without any drop off in production. With a defensive line that doesn’t have much talent past the starters in 2023 Bresee could form a rotation of Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and himself that would be a terror on opposing offensive lines.

Round 2, pick 45: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Basic stats: 6’7/264 lbs. RAS: 9.88

Washington may not have had the production in college that some might want, but he’s a perfect example of projecting what a player will do in the league, similar to what the Packers did with Rashan Gary. Washington is a mismatch nightmare, in both the passing and the running game. His 6’7, 264 lb frame has the power to negate edge players in the run game and when running routes downfield he’s typically towering over his assigned defender. While Washington does need some decent work on running precise routes, he has the size and athleticism to succeed early on against NFL linebackers and safeties.  Washington would make the perfect replacement for Marcedes Lewis on the Packers’ roster, but he’s more than just an extra offensive lineman in the run game (he could play OT if he wanted to); providing a serious downfield threat and an oversized target in the red zone.

If he’s gone: Kellee Ringo, S, Georgia

Basic stats: 6’2/207 lbs. RAS 8.30

Ringo is built like a rocked-up linebacker but played cornerback for the Bulldogs and was more than capable on the perimeter. However, he doesn’t have elite instincts which makes him susceptible to big plays in coverage. A move to Strong Safety I feel is in the cards for Ringo where he has a little bit more time to process and the Packers can take advantage of his large frame in the box against the run. Ringo’s range combined with his physicality will allow him to make plays all over the field and make this vaunted defense that much better.

Round 3, pick 78: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

Basic stats: 6’5/285 lbs. RAS 9.92 

I’ve been waiting for a “Za’Darius Smith type” to come along in the draft, and the Yellow Jackets’ White fits that perfectly. At 6’5, 285 lbs it is just downright insane for a person that large to move so fast with fluidity. White is almost a positionless player along the front seven; and in a year where the Packers are without a number of mainstays on the defensive line along with questions about the Edge position he’s a very welcome addition. What I also love is that Keion’s best football is likely ahead of him, as he’s only been playing the position for just 2 years (33 TFL and 11 sacks). The light just flicked on for him this past year at Georgia Tech, with a full NFL offseason under his belt the sky’s the limit for this promising player.

If he’s gone: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Basic stats:  6’4.5/254 lbs. RAS 9.68

If Kraft turns into another Jackrabbit in the NFL, one Dallas Goedert, this will be a homerun pick. Kraft was nearly unstoppable in the FCS, and if he can play up to the level of competition in the NFL Day 1, he’s a near complete player at TE.

Round 4, pick 116: Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

Basic stats: 6’7/255 lbs. RAS 10

Given the Packers gaping hole at tight end, Brian Gutekunst is required to double dip on the position early. Zach Kuntz went on a tear in 2021 with 692 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. The world should have been his oyster in 2022 before his junior season was cut short due to injury. Zach recovered just in time for the NFL Combine and reminded the league that they shouldn’t forget about him. The 6’7, 255 Monarch did every drill in Indy, which included an uber quick 4.55 sec 40-yard dash, 40” vertical, 6.87 sec 3-cone, and 4.12 sec 20-yard shuttle(10.00 RAS)….that’s WR fast. Kuntz projects as a speedy downfield weapon with an amazing wingspan who should at least be serviceable in the running game with some polish. If he can completely bounce back from his injury and elevate his game once more, the Packers should have a stalwart in-line for years to come.

If he’s gone: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland

Basic stats: 6’6/306 lbs. RAS 9.02

Duncan has one of the better pass sets in the year’s Draft Class, he just needs to clean up his sloppy footwork, hand technique, and get stronger; he might have gone near the top of Day 2 otherwise. This pick gives the Packers the ability to walk away from Yosh Nijman in 2024 if his asking price is too high. However, if Duncan can start to put it together by mid-season and start demanding reps, they may decide to let him go anyway.

Now here’s Jonathan’s mock:

Round 1, Pick 15: Brian Branch, S, Alabama 

Basic stats: 6’0/194 lbs. RAS 5.27

I’d go with TE Dalton Kincaid here in an instant, but history says the Packers won’t. Too bad, because he has the potential to be the biggest difference-making pass catcher in this draft, including wideouts. So my greatest wish is that Gute can trade back a few slots, pick up some draft capital and Kincaid is still there for the taking. But he won’t last much beyond the mid-20s, and we’re not doing trades in this mock. Meanwhile, safety has quickly gone from major strength to mush, and is arguably the team’s greatest immediate need. Adrian Amos remains a free agent and unlikely to be re-signed. Darnell Savage, for whom Green Bay paid dearly, has played himself into a giant question mark. This is an ugly safety class, and Branch is head and shoulders above the rest of the group, despite not having the length many teams like to see at safety. Green Bay might feel the same way, but Branch has the kind of versatility that makes the Packers drool. He can play nickel, any safety position or slot corner, is a willing tackler and solid in coverage. His Relative Athletic Score is average, largely due to his height/weight for the position, and I still have PTSD from the last Alabama safety Green Bay drafted in round 1, the laughable Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. But Branch is a does-everything-well pick with a high floor and ceiling, and should be able to contribute early.

If he’s gone: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Basic stats: 5’11/180 lbs. RAS n/a

Wait, I meant Dalton Kin… never mind. Still not gonna happen. Meanwhile, the Packers’ issues in the secondary go beyond safety. Eric Stokes has begun to look like a slightly faster Kevin King. He’ll flash occasionally, fail to tackle consistently and spend a ton of time on the trainers’ table (if I’m a GM, one trait that knocks players off my board immediately is spindly legs.) By contrast, Witherspoon is the closest thing to Jaire in this draft. An aggressive, trash-talking disruptor, he has the versatility to play all over the secondary and last year earned one of the highest PFF grades ever for a corner in college. At 5’11/180, he’s at the edge of Green Bay’s size requirements, but he’s an impact player who energizes the team around him. And if Stokes starts playing up to first-round expectations, suddenly the Packers have a top three NFL cornerback room. Some crazy stuff has to happen for Witherspoon to fall to 15, which is why Branch is my prediction, but if he is still available, Gutekunst would likely run Witherspoon’s card up to the podium in record time.   

Round 2, pick 45. Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Basic stats:  6’4.5/254 lbs. RAS 9.68

I hate the value/need ratio of this spot in this draft. The best players at need positions are gone, and the better value is in later rounds. So I will again be pulling hard for trading back. Failing that, Green Bay takes one of the remaining *receiving* tight ends here because there are only a couple of good ones left and the position is so critical to optimizing modern offenses. Mike Mayer will be gone. Iowa’s Sam LaPorta is the smoothest route runner and a Combine darling, but he’s only 6’3 and thus too much like Josiah Deguara. Tucker Kraft is the most well-rounded, difference-making pass catcher with size left on the board. He’s athletic, separates well despite an average 3-cone, and has more YAC juice than those that are left. His blocking needs some development, but the receiving value and ceiling are high. 

If he’s gone: Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion.

Basic stats: 6’7/255 lbs. RAS 10. 

Zach Kuntz would be a consensus reach here, but this kid is worth the gamble and the Packers should be intrigued by a 6’7” traits freak (he blew away the Combine with a perfect 10 RAS) who is a skilled pass catcher. Kuntz has sky’s-the-limit potential based on his athleticism and production at ODU before an injury this past season. Kuntz began at Penn State but barely cracked their lineup, subsequently transferring to ODU, so his limited small-school experience and average blocking puts  him as a day 3 prospect on most mock boards. But at least a couple of other teams will fall in love with his size, numbers and upside, and the Packers should reach a bit here instead of having to trade away draft capital later to move up for  him when he’s the only difference-making TE left.

Round 3, pick 78. Nick Herbig, Edge, Wisconsin.

Basic stats: 6’2/240 lbs. RAS 7.75

The Packers whiffed on Vince Biegel, but drafting pass rushers who were Badgers is generally a good idea. At 6’2/240, Herbig is undersized for a traditional edge, and most see him as a hybrid edge/OLB. That will turn off some teams and perhaps allow him to still be available at this spot, where his scheme versatility should appeal to Green Bay, as should his high motor, athleticism and production. Though a bit smaller, his tape has some echoes of Clay Matthews. PFF says: “Herbig was arguably the best pure pass rusher in this draft class, as evidenced by his pass-rush grade that ranked first among all prospects in PFF's top 200. Wisconsin was wise to align Herbig wide to take advantage of his get-off (1.59-second 10-yard split; 86th percentile among EDGEs), upfield burst, bend and capable hand technique, leading to his 23.9% pass-rush win rate that ranked inside the 94th percentile among edge defenders.” Oh, and he was solid against the run and in coverage, where Green Bay’s linebacking corps could certainly use help. 

If he’s gone: Riley Moss, CB, Iowa.

Basic stats: 6’1/193 lbs. RAS 9.68

Neither the sexiest nor fastest corner in the class, Moss simply produced throughout his college career in a way that reminded me of Adrian Amos in his prime in the NFL. He never turned heads, but you could count on him to be in the right place at the right time, making the necessary plays. Moss’ strength isn’t press coverage, and you might not want to line him up against a WR with supersonic speed. But at 4.45/40 he stays with most, plays zone with superb awareness and anticipation, takes smart angles and would be the best tackler in Green Bay’s cornerback room. His size might also allow a move to safety. Here’s what Greg Cosell writes at thethirtythirdteam.com: “The more I watched Moss, the more I believed he could line up at outside corner and be a quality player who gives you consistent execution snap after snap. He has the length and the smooth athleticism to play man and zone coverage effectively, and he plays the game with physical and mental toughness.”  As mentioned above, the Packers should have concerns about Eric Stokes. The team needs quality depth at corner. 

Round 4, pick 116: Chandler Zavala, IOL, North Carolina State.

Basic stats: 6’3/316 lbs. RAS 9.49

Zavala was a deep sleeper for many in the draft’s chattering class, but he’s now steadily moving up people’s boards and might not even last this long. An intelligent guard with excellent short-area quickness, Zavala ran a 5.0 40 at his pro day, improving considerably from his Combine time. You wished he was an inch or two taller, and he’s guard only, but his play strength stands out. Somewhat reminiscent of T.J. Lang. The Packers’ O-line is in decent shape in the short run, but potential injuries and an uncertain 2024 makes depth a need. Zavala has the potential to be solid value in this spot.  

If he’s gone: Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Basic stats: 5’11/187 lbs. RAS 6.75

This draft is overflowing with small receivers, and the Packers might stick to their usual insistence on the tall boys. But those are in short supply this year, and while Reed’s draft grades are all over the place, he’s stronger and more versatile than many of the other tiny dancers. Reed projects as a better version of Amari Rodgers (RAS 5.62), with superior route-running  skills and YAC ability who also was a top kick returner in college. The  Packers appear to have found something special in Keisean Nixon, but one injury and they are back to zeroes in the return game. That must not happen.