In light of the Packers draft-rocking trade of Aaron Rodgers, we’ll be doing a series of three round mock drafts to see how the new pick positions might impact the Packers at the top of the draft.
As a reminder, our mock drafts aren’t a prediction or even who we’d like to see picked – they are a chance to look at different simulations to see which prospects might be available when the Packers are up to pick.
In this case, a potential superstar fell to the Packers at 13.
Here are the results:
.
Round 1
Bijan Robinson – Running Back
Profile: At 6’0, 220 Robinson has a powerful build to go with great vision and burst. He reels off chunk plays regularly and is a threat to go the distance with good speed and great running angles. Despite some injury concerns, he’s the best back to come of college in a long time. Total package.
Analysis: Bijan Robinson is the number 1 player on a lot of board – including the one I was drafting against. The fact that he regularly goes outside the top 10 shows how devalued the position has become. But, he could also be a special player and looks like the best running back prospect to come out of college since Adrain Peterson. The Packers kept Aaron Jones at a reduced salary, and AJ Dillon is a nice complement, but Robinson could be a workhorse that takes the pressure off Jordan Love for years to come. There’s no reason to think a Bijan Robinson – Aaron Jones backfield couldn’t carry the Packers to the playoffs even if Jordan Love underwhelms.
.
Round 2
Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Edge
Profile: Anudike-Uzomah builds on average size (6’3, 255) with athleticism and a high motor. The Big 12 Defense Player of the Year, he has an explosive first step and bend around the edge. With good hand moves and enough leverage to get bullrush, he’s a complete edge rusher.
Analysis: With Preston Smith on the wrong side of 30 and Rashan Gary rehabbing his ACL, the Packers have a need at edge. FAU is a bit under the size the Packers prefer on the edge, but he is big enough to have an impact on this defense.
Rashee Rice – Wide Receiver
Profile: His size and speed measurables (6’1, 204, 4.51) are eerily similar to Davante Adams. While Rice has good ball skills and grabs contested catches, he also has some issues with drops, making him closer to an early-career Davante Adams than the reigning best receiver in the league. He’s still learning some routes, but has a smooth catch motions to make it easy for him to run for extra yards. Also a good blocker.
Analysis: The Packers have a need at receiver and while this is not a star-studded class, there are a lot of great Day 2 prospects. Rice would be a nice addition to their 3 receiver sets.
.
Round 3
Tucker Kraft – Tight End
Profile: A raw athlete with good strength, the 6’5, 255 Kraft has more potential than production at this point. While he has all the tools and athleticism, his blocking technique is a a work in progress and his hands can be questionable. He’s also dealt with his fair share of injuries. Even with all that, his tools and potential are enough to warrant selecting him in the 3rd round.
Analysis: The Packers need impact at tight end. Kraft is a big swing. If he stays healthy and takes to coaching, he could become a high end starter. A roll of the dice in the cursed round for the Packers.
.
Analysis
Bijan Robinson makes this draft class. An immediate impact player and potential plug-and-play star.
Getting Rice and Kraft will also make things easier on Jordan Love and FAU is a nice addition to the pass rush.
.
Of Note
Jaxon Smith-Njigba went to the Texans one pick ahead of the Packers – it seems like he gets taken one pick ahead of Green Bay no matter where they pick.
For this mock, I drafted against the board from Jake Rigdon at Fanspeak.
.
Want to learn more!? 
Don’t just watch the draft – understand it and learn why GMs make the moves they do. Get more insight into how winning teams build through the draft (and how losing teams fail)!
Start with a introduction to how the draft works then get deep into understanding draft strategy with our draft book (rated a #1 New Release): A Fan’s Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft: Strategies, Tactics, And Case Studies For Building A Professional Football Team
Then jump into free agency with another #1 New Release: A Fan’s Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits and Misses to better understand this critical part of the NFL offseason and see where teams have found (or missed) success in this critical component of team-building.
Finally, get to the game behind the game with our latest must-have book: A Fan’s Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap – which lays out detailed, easy-to-follow scenarios to explain exactly how contract structures and salary cap rules impact teams. This book explains why teams do what they do in the offseason!
All these great books are available in ebook and paperback – and free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers! If you don’t have Kindle Unlimited, you can get a free trial of Kindle Unlimited here!
.
Check out our PFTW 2023 Mock Draft Archive to see how other scenarios played out!
Check out Packers Draft Central for all our latest NFL Draft coverage!
.