The Green Bay Packers hold the 23rd overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Throughout the franchise’s history, they have chosen in that spot twice in the first round and the results have been quite mixed. Here is a look back at the previous times the Packers have chosen 23rd overall in the first round and how each of those players panned out in the NFL. We will also mention one player selected 23rd who was not a first-round pick. Picks are listed in chronological order starting with the most recent.

Packers History with the 23rd Overall Pick, Number One: 2010, OT Bryan Bulaga

The last time the Packers had the 23rd overall pick in the NFL Draft, they selected offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga. The former Iowa star started his rookie season as a backup but earned the starting job by Week 5. Later that season, he became the youngest player until that time to start in a Super Bowl. After the 2010 season, Bulaga earned All-Rookie team honors.

Bulaga remained the Packers starting right tackle for nine seasons, all the way through the 2019 campaign. He then spent his final two NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

Although Bulaga never earned Pro Bowl honors, he was a strong and consistent presence along the Packers offensive line for nearly a decade.

Number Two: 1976, OT Mark Koncar

The Packers didn’t have a first-round pick in 1975 because of the John Hadl trade but they did have the 23rd overall selection the following year. With that pick, they selected offensive tackle Mark Koncar.

The 6’5”, 271-pound Colorado alum stepped in and starting immediately as a rookie, playing all 14 games. Like Bulaga, Koncar earned All-Rookie Team honors after his first NFL season.

Koncar did a good job of protecting the blind side of quarterbacks Lynn Dickey and David Whitehurst during his six seasons with the Packers.

The issue with Koncar was injuries. He missed the entire 1978 season after suffering a knee injury and then suffering a staff infection. The following season, Koncar returned the lineup but missed four games because of an ankle injury. He played through the injury for the rest of the 1979 campaign.

In 1980, Koncar suffered a torn Achilles which limited him to one game. In 1981, Koncar returned but had a fallout with head coach Bart Starr after the coach chewed him out in a meeting. A year later, the Packers traded him to the Houston Oilers for a 10th-round draft choice.

Koncar’s career got off to a strong start, but injuries derailed his progress. He played five games for the Oilers in 1982 before retiring from football.

Packers History with the 23rd Overall Pick, Bonus 1943 (3rd Round) Irv Comp

There were fewer teams in the NFL in 1943, so while the Packers held the 23rd pick in the draft, that pick was in the third round. The Packers used it to select back Irv Comp. The Milwaukee native played seven seasons for the Packers and helped the team win their final NFL Championship under Curly Lambeau in 1944. He led the NFL in passing yards that season.

As a rookie, Comp intercepted 10 passes in just nine games. That remains the Packers single-season franchise record. He retired as the NFL’s all-time interceptions leader with 34 although that record stood for just one more year.

Comp played both ways like most players did during the 1940s. He also returned punts and kicks during his NFL career. Amazingly, he accomplished all this with sight in just one eye.

Comp retired after the 1949 season. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1986.

 

 

 

 

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