GREEN BAY — The Packers came into Day 3 of the NFL Draft with nine picks.
On Day 1, the Packers selected EDGE Rusher Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa with pick 13.
On Day 2, in the second round, they selected Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave at pick 42 and Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed with pick 50.
In the third round, Green Bay at pick 78 selected tight end Tucker Kraft who played at South Dakota State and won the FCS National title.
With their first pick in round 4, at 116 they selected defensive lineman out of Auburn, Colby Wooden. In four years with the Tigers, he amassed 15 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss. 11 sacks and 20 TFL's in the last two years.
Here's The Athletic draft expert Dane Brugler on Wooden:
"Wooden isn’t consistently disruptive when rushing from the outside, but he can set the edge or reduce down where his rush skills are more effective on the interior. He offers position flexibility as a rotational base end or three-technique as an NFL rookie capable of ascending to starter."
At pick 149, Sean Clifford quarterback out of Penn State was chosen by the Green & Gold.
In 51 games with the Nittany Lions he amassed 10,661 passing yards, 86 passing touchdowns and 31 interceptions. He holds basically every school throwing record for the Nittany Lions.
Here's Brugler on Clifford:
"Overall, Clifford throws well on the move and NFL teams love his toughness and smarts, but his current decision-making and ball placement are too inconsistent for what is required at the next level."
The Packers were back on the clock just minutes later with pick 159, the Packers took Dontayvion Wicks, a senior out of Virginia. Wicks broke out his junior year, where he was named first-team All-ACC after amassing, 57 receptions for 1,203 yards (21.1 yards per catch) and 9 touchdown receptions. In his senior year, he missed the last two games due to a bone bruise. He finished with 30 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. He had a whopping 9 drops last season.
Here's Brugler on Wicks:
"Overall, Wicks’ evaluation is complicated because of the night-and-day difference between his 2021 and 2022 performances, but the raw talent is there for him to continue ascending as he polishes his game. His development potential will understandably capture the interest from NFL teams in the top four rounds."
In the 6th Round, pick 179, the Packers selected defensive tackle Karl Brooks out of Bowling Green. In five seasons with Bowling Green, Brooks led the team in sacks every year. He finished his college career with 46 TFL and 27.5 sacks. His most productive year was his final season with the Falcons (10 sacks and 18 TFL).
According to Brugler:
"Brooks has a unique package of tools, which creates questions about his ideal position fit, but he has the light feet and urgent hands to be a gap disruptor. He projects best as a three-technique who can be flexed up/down the line."
Mason Crosby's replacement might have came in round 6 at pick 207. Out of Auburn, they selected kicker Anders Carlson. He made 12/17 field goals in 2022.
In Round 7 pick 232, the Packers selected Carrington Valentine a redshirt junior cornerback out of Kentucky. In 35 games he had 35 pass deflections and one interception.
Brugler:
"Overall, Valentine is long, aggressive and athletic and has yet to reach his ceiling as a cover man, but his ball instincts and technique are underdeveloped, making his draft grade much more of a projection than others. He projects best as a long-limbed press corner."
At pick 235, Green Bay selected running back Lew Nichols III out of Central Michigan. In 2021, he lead the FBS with 1,848 rushing yards.
Brugler:
"Overall, Nichols is a productive, determined runner with solid feel between the tackles, but his next-level potential will be capped by a lack of creativity with the ball in his hands and inconsistent passing-down skills. His workhorse approach could get him on the field in the right situation."
At pick 242, they drafted Anthony Johnson Jr. a safety from Iowa State. In his senior season he amassed 60 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions.
Brugler:
"Overall, Johnson might not have a sky-high ceiling at the next level, but his character, experience and functional size/speed traits raise his floor and will keep him earning an NFL paycheck. His game and journey are reminiscent of Rams’ 2019 seventh-rounder Nick Scott."
The Packers last and final pick was fittingly another weapon for Jordan Love, wide receiver Grant Dubose out of Charlotte. He had 64 receptions for 792 yards and 9 touchdowns in his final season with Charlotte.
Brugler: "Overall, DuBose plays with the body fluidity and catch point talent that increase his chances of finding a permanent home in the NFL, although he has work to do to be considered more than just a jump-ball weapon or zone beater. He has rotational value as an NFL rookie."
