Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst selected 13 players in the 2023 NFL Draft. While you cannot fully evaluate a draft class until at least three years have passed, the end of the 2023 season gives us a chance to assess how each of these players did in their rookie campaign. This was one of the deepest draft classes the Packers have had in recent memory. Here are our grades for the Packers 2023 draft class. Players are listed in the order they were drafted by the Packers:
Evaluations are based on their performance and the expectations they had coming into the season. So, if a fifth-round pick performs the same as a second-round selection, the fifth rounder will receive a higher grade.
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 1, Pick 13: Edge Lukas Van Ness
The Packers knew Lukas Van Ness would be a project when they selected him in the first round. They viewed his development much like Rashan Gary who was their first-round pick in 2019.
Van Ness played 33 percent of the Packers defensive snaps while playing in all 17 games. He also participated on special teams. For the season, the former Iowa star recorded four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss.
Early on, Van Ness was better against the run than at rushing the passer. He showed flashes of big play ability but needs to improve his technique and develop more moves to rush the passer in the NFL.
The promise is there. Van Ness expects to take on a bigger role in his second season especially since Kingsley Enagbare is not expected to be ready to start the season on time. .
Grade: C+
Second Round, Pick 42: TE Luke Musgrave
Tight end Luke Musgrave won the starting job out of training camp and never looked back. The former Oregon State star tied the Packers rookie record for tight ends by catching 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown. He did that despite missing six games due to a lacerated kidney.
Musgrave has the ability to stretch the field and got better at it as the season progressed. His catch percentage of 73.9 was impressive. He proved to be a willing blocker and improved in that area as the season went on.
Musgrave has a bright future ahead of him.
Grade: B
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 2, Pick 50: WR Jayden Reed
Few people expected rookie Jayden Reed to lead the Packers in catches and yards as a rookie and he also tied for the club lead in touchdowns with eight. The Michigan State alum finished the season with 64 catches for 793 yards. No Packers rookie caught more passes in the history of the franchise.
Reed started in the slot and showed the ability to get deep and make plays.
The Packers hope Reed will continue to build on a strong rookie season that saw him exceed expectations.
Grade A-
Third Round, Pick 78 TE Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft got off to a slow start playing behind Musgrave early in the season. He was a willing blocker but rarely targeted on pass patterns. But after Musgrave suffered an injury, Kraft stepped up. He finished the season with 31 catches for 355 yards and two scores.
Kraft became Jordan Love’s favorite checkdown target. He has the ability to run well with the ball after the catch, something he excelled at in college.
Musgrave and Kraft have the potential to be the Packers best pass catching tight end duo since the 1990s.
Grade: B
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 4, Pick 116: DL Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden played all 17 games for the Packers as a part of their defensive line rotation. He was on the field for 23 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He recorded half a sack and made 17 total tackles including one tackle for loss.
Wooden graded out better as a pass rusher than a run defender. He showed flashes of ability and should take on a bigger role in 2024.
Grade: C+
Fifth Round, Pick 149: QB Sean Clifford
Sean Clifford won the backup quarterback job in training camp, giving the Packers a rookie backup behind a starter with one previous NFL start.
He showed leadership ability in the preseason and a certain fearlessness. His lack of arm strength is what kept him from being drafted higher.
Clifford threw one pass which he completed for 37 yards to Bo Melton. With Love established as the starter, Clifford has to be prepared to play if needed.
Grade: C
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 5, Pick 159: Dontayvion Wicks
Little was expected from Virginia alum Dontayvion Wicks in his rookie season, but he became a big-play threat and a surprising contributor for the Packers. Wicks caught 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns.
Wicks showed himself capable of coming through in the clutch and making big plays. His future looks bright.
Grade B+
Sixth Round, Pick 179: DT Karl Brooks
Bowling Green alum Karl Brooks surprised a lot of people with his contributions. While he struggled at times against the run, Brooks showed the ability to rush the passer.
He played 34 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and on special teams. For the season, Brooks recorded four sacks, five quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. He made 20 total tackles.
Brooks made a big jump from the MAC to the NFL and did it well. His role should expand as he gains experience.
Grade B+
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 6, Pick 207: K Anders Carlson
Anders Carlson won the kicking job in training camp and proved to be inconsistent. He demonstrated his strong leg and made some very long field goals. But, he also missed at least one kick in 10 of the team’s final 12 games.
For the season, the Auburn alum made 27-of-33 field goals and 34-of-39 extra points. He struggled most on field goals between 40 and 49 yards, making just half of eight tries.
The mixed results were not all Carlson’s fault. There were issues with his long snapper during the season that contributed to his inconsistency.
Gutekunst has already signed a player to compete with Carlson in camp next year. The team hopes special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia can help Carlson the way he helped his brother, Daniel.
Grade C+
Round 7, Pick 232: CB Carrington Valentine
Carrington Valentine made an immediate impression in training camp and earned a roster spot. He played all 17 games and started 12 after Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes were injured and the Packers traded Rasul Douglas to Buffalo.
According to pro-football-reference.com, opposing quarterbacks completed 57.6 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Valentine and had a quarterback rating of 84.8. He made 44 tackles and broke up nine passes while recovering one fumble.
Valentine likes to be physical and is often flagged as a result. If he can reduce the number of penalties and continue to play physically, he can take his game to the next level.
Grade: B+
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 7, Pick 235: RB Lew Nichols
Injuries derailed Lew Nichols in training camp, and he did not make the team. He later ended up on the Eagles practice squad and they signed him to a deal to come back in 2024.
Grade: Incomplete
Round 7, Pick 242: S Anthony Johnson, Jr.
Anthony Johnson, Jr. looked good in training camp and made the team. Safety was a big need, but the team didn’t select one until the seventh round and Johnson was it.
The former Iowa State star played in 12 games and started four. He made one interception and broke up three passes. Johnson made 24 tackles. Johnson fared better in coverage than he did defending the run.
He still has a lot to learn, but he made a strong showing for a rookie, seventh-round pick.
Grade: B-
Packers 2023 Draft Pick Round 7, Pick 256: WR Grant DuBose
Grant DuBose spent the entire season on the Packers practice squad. He was elevated for one game but was inactive.
The Packers signed the Charlotte alum to a futures contract so he will compete for a roster spot in 2024.
Grade: Incomplete
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
