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 2024 season gives us a chance to assess how each of these players did in their first two NFL seasons. 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 after two seasons. Grades are based on the players’ performance with the Packers. Players are listed in the order they were drafted.
Evaluations are based on their performance and the expectations they had entering the league. So, if a fifth-round pick performs the same as a second-round selection, the fifth rounder will receive a higher grade.
Grading the Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 1, Pick 13: Edge Lukas Van Ness
Lukas Van Ness improved his play against the run in his second NFL season, but he didn’t take a big step forward when rushing the passer.
Van Ness finished 2024 with three sacks after recording four in his rookie campaign. He still needs to develop other moves to compliment his bull rush. Hopefully, the Packers new defensive line coach can help him develop his technique.
After two seasons, Van Ness has played in all 34 regular season games but has yet to start any. After the Packers traded Preston Smith midseason, many thought Van Ness would claim a starting job, but he never did. He played 39 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in 2024, up from 39 a year ago.
Grade: C+
Second Round, Pick 42: TE Luke Musgrave
Tight end Luke Musgrave had his second NFL season disrupted by injuries. He played just seven games, starting three. The former Oregon State alum caught just seven passes for 45 yards. He’s played just 18 games out of a possible 34 since joining the Packers.
When healthy, he has the speed to stretch the field and get downfield on long passes. He is a serviceable and willing blocker.
Musgrave was beaten out for the starting tight end spot by fellow 2023 Tucker Kraft. He played just 31 percent of the Packers offensive snaps in the seven games he played.
He could still have a bright future, but he needs to stay healthy to take a step forward.
Grade: C+
Grading the Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 2, Pick 50: WR Jayden Reed
The good news is that Jayden Reed led the Packers in catches and yards for the second time in two NFL seasons. He played predominantly out of the slot and finished 2024 with 55 catches for 857 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also ran the ball 20 times for 163 yards and another score.
Reed played very well in the first half of the 2024 season, but his productivity fell off in the final two months of the season. After making big plays early in the season, he had fewer targets and precious few downfield in the second half.
The Packers need Reed to be more consistent and to get back to the form he showed early in 2024.
Grade B+
Third Round, Pick 78 TE Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft won the starting tight end job in training camp this season and cemented himself as a valuable part of the offense.
Kraft caught 50 passes for 707 yards and led the team with seven touchdown catches. His biggest strength is running after the catch. Kraft is tough to bring down one-on-one and does a good job of breaking tackles. He is a willing but average blocker.
Kraft should become an even bigger part of the offense in 2025. He and quarterback Jordan Love have good chemistry and he has become Love’s favorite checkdown target.
Musgrave and Kraft have the potential to be the Packers best pass catching tight end duo since the 1990s.
Grade: A-
Grading the Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 4, Pick 116: DL Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden played 13 games for the Packers in 2024 and started one. He mostly played as a part of their defensive line rotation. Wooden was on the field for 28 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He made 20 total tackles including two tackles for loss but did not record a sack.
Wooden graded out average both as a pass rusher and against the run according to Pro Football Focus. He needs to make progress next year if he hopes to be more than a rotational player.
Grade: C+
Fifth Round, Pick 149: QB Sean Clifford
Sean Clifford served as the Packers backup quarterback in 2023 but a poor showing in training camp and the 2024 preseason caused the Packers to cut him and sign him to the practice squad. He did not take a snap in 2024 although he was elevated to the active roster for a game.
With Malik Willis enjoying a strong season as the backup, Clifford will have to fight to stay on the practice squad in 2025.
Grade: D+
Grading the Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 5, Pick 159: Dontayvion Wicks
Dontayvion Wicks followed up a surprising rookie season with an uneven sophomore campaign. He caught 39 passes in 2024, matching the production from his rookie year. But his yardage was down to 415 yards and five touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Wicks struggled with dropped passes. He dropped nine passes in 76 targets which gave him one of the highest drop percentages in the NFL.
When he does hold on to the ball, Wicks is capable of making big plays. He needs to be more consistent to start and take on a bigger role next season.
Grade B
Sixth Round, Pick 179: DT Karl Brooks
Bowling Green alum Karl Brooks continued to be a productive part of the Packers defensive line rotation although he didn’t start any games. He recorded 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and four tackles for loss. He was in on 24 total tackles, up from 20 in 2023.
Brooks played 41 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in 2024, up from 34 percent in his rookie season. He made a successful transition to the Packers new four-man front under Jeff Hafley.
Grade B+
Grading the Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 6, Pick 207: K Anders Carlson
Anders Carlson struggled through his rookie season in 2023. He made some long kicks but missed at least one try in 10 of the Packers final 12 games. The Packers lacked faith in Carlson and brought in competition for him during OTAs and training camp.
Carlson was cut by the Packers who signed Brayden Narveson to start the season. Carlson kicked two games for the 49ers and five for the Jets this season. He missed three extra points in 15 tries while making 13-of-15 field goals.
Grade C-
Round 7, Pick 232: CB Carrington Valentine
Carrington Valentine surprised a lot of people by starting 12 games as a rookie. He followed that up with seven starts in 15 total games played in 2024. The former Kentucky star made his first two NFL interceptions and broke-up nine passes. He also recovered a fumble.
Valentine allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 76.7 percent of their passes, and they had a quarterback rating of 80.1.
Valentine likes to by physical at the line of scrimmage. He reduced the number of pass interference calls against him in his second NFL season.
Valentine will compete for a larger role in 2025 especially if the Packers part ways with Jaire Alexander. There is a good chance the team will be fortifying the cornerback position over the offseason either via free agency or the draft.
Grade: B
Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 7, Pick 235: RB Lew Nichols
Injuries derailed Lew Nichols in training camp in 2023, and he did not make the team. He later ended up on the Eagles practice squad. This season, he was out of football.
Grade: F
Round 7, Pick 242: S Anthony Johnson, Jr.
Anthony Johnson, Jr. surprised a lot of people by making the team in 2023 and starting four games. He intercepted one pass and broke up three passes.
The Packers let him go in training camp and he signed on with the New York Giants. Johnson played nine games for the Giants in 2025 and broke up one pass. Most of his action was seen on special teams.
Grade: C
Packers 2023 Draft Class Pick Round 7, Pick 256: WR Grant DuBose
Grant DuBose spent his rookie season on the Packers practice squad. He was elevated for one game but did not play. He was let go by the Packers after training camp and signed with the Dolphins. DuBose played three games and caught two passes for 11 yards.
Grade: D
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