Packer Central’s Day 3 NFL Mock Draft Focuses on Remaining Needs

The Green Bay Packers didn’t address needs on the defensive line, safety or offensive tackle, and they still could use another couple receivers.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers entered the 2023 NFL Draft with significant holes at outside linebacker, tight end, receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and safety. The Packers addressed outside linebacker with Lukas Van Ness and doubled-down on tight end with Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.

Even with Jayden Reed, the Packers could use another couple receivers. And offensive tackle, defensive tackle and safety remain big needs.

Here’s our attempt at filling those holes with our final mock draft of the year. This one was done through the Pro Football Focus simulator. The Packers have nine picks: one in the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and four in the seventh, so there are ample opportunities to address needs.

Fourth Round: No. 116 – Boise State S JL Skinner

If not for a pectoral injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the predraft process, the 6-foot-3 Skinner might be off the board. His size and range make him an inviting prospect.

Skinner was the choice over Texas defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland.

Fifth Round: No. 149 – Pittsburgh OT Carter Warren

At 6-foot-5 and with 35-inch arms, Warren has the size and length to develop into a starting tackle.

Fifth Round: No. 159 – Oklahoma DT Jalen Redmond

I almost picked Redmond at No. 149. He’s a quality run-stopping tackle to join the too-short rotation of Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and T.J. Slaton. Running backs Sean Tucker of Syracuse and Eric Gray of Oklahoma were really tempting at this spot but Green Bay can't get by with their defensive line rotation.

Sixth Round: No. 179 – Virginia WR Dontayvion Wicks

The Wicks of 2021, when he averaged 21.1 yards per catch and had 1,203 yards, would have been drafted much higher. Remember, the Packers have only three players under contract who’ve caught a pass in the NFL and only five under contract, total. They need to get of the weekend with nine or 10. With Reed and Wicks, Green Bay is up to seven receivers.

Sixth Round: No. 207 – Oklahoma State S Jason Taylor

Maybe Taylor won’t be here but the Packers need to add a couple safeties this weekend. Taylor has speed (4.50) and playmaking ability (six picks in 2022).

Seventh Round: No. 232 – Northwestern RB Evan Hull

Hull caught 88 passes the last two seasons and broke 4.5 in the 40. Remember, there's a chance Aaron Jones (contract) and AJ Dillon (free agency) will not return in 2024.

Seventh Round: No. 235 – Shepherd QB Tyson Bagent

Bagent had an incredible career for the Division II school and didn’t look out of place at the Senior Bowl. Unlike most of the quarterbacks who remain in this draft, he's got the right combination of size and athleticism. Green Bay has only two under contract with Jordan Love and Danny Etling, who has not played in a game in his five seasons.

Seventh Round: No. 242 – Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt

At 6-foot-7 and 302 pounds, Witt ran his 40 in 4.89 seconds. A converted tight end, Witt has the athletic skill to be worthy as a developmental prospect.

Seventh Round: No. 256 – Florida WR Justin Shorter

Shorter’s one of my favorite late-round shots at receiver, with the size and blocking skill to perhaps fill the Allen Lazard role.

More Green Bay Packers News

It's my last roundup of mock drafts for a long, long time. Rejoice!

Here are some potential #Packers picks for Saturday.https://t.co/yzZOXaRfnr

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) April 29, 2023

Grades for the Day 2 picks

Here are a dozen Day 3 mock drafts

Doubling up on tight end gambles

Aaron Jones shows “every pick counts”

Third-round pick: Tucker Kraft

Tucker Kraft: Scouting opinions

Second-round pick: Jayden Reed

Jayden Reed: Scouting opinions

Second-round pick: Luke Musgrave

Luke Musgrave: Scouting opinions

Updated list of Packers draft picks

First-round grades for Lukas Van Ness

First-round pick: Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness: ‘Nice Young Kid’ to ‘Hercules’

Lukas Van Ness: Deeper dive

Lukas Van Ness: Scouting opinions

Pick 13 vs. Pick 15: Two picks, a huge difference