Packers' 53-man depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft
We've already done a way-too-early 53-man roster prediction for the Green Bay Packers after the draft. So now, it's time to pinpoint who comes out as starters and depth players. The Packers have quite a bit to figure out. Fortunately, the QB position is set, even though Aaron Rodgers is no longer on the roster. Elsewhere, […]
We've already done a way-too-early 53-man roster prediction for the Green Bay Packers after the draft. So now, it's time to pinpoint who comes out as starters and depth players.
The Packers have quite a bit to figure out. Fortunately, the QB position is set, even though Aaron Rodgers is no longer on the roster. Elsewhere, however, will feature plenty of competition for both starting jobs and backup jobs, which makes for a very interesting next few months.
With that being said, let's go ahead and dive in. Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.
| Position | Starter(s) | Backup(s) |
|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Jordan Love | Danny Etling |
Running back | Aaron Jones | A.J. Dillon, Patrick Taylor |
Wide receiver | Christian Watson | Jayden Reed*, Dontayvion Wicks*, Samori Toure, Bo Melton. Malik Heath** |
Tight end | Luke Musgrave* | Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis |
Offensive line | David Bakhtiari | Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman |
Defensive line | Kenny Clark | Colby Wooden*, Karl Brooks*, Jonathan Ford |
EDGE/Outside linebacker | Lukas Van Ness* | Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, La’Darius Hamilton |
Inside linebacker | De’Vondre Campbell | Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson |
Cornerback | Jaire Alexander | Keisean Nixon (NB), Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine*, Shemar Jean-Charles |
Safety | Darnell Savage | Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt, Anthony Johnson Jr.* |
Kicker | Parker White | N/A |
Punter | Pat O’Donnell | N/A |
Long snapper | Jack Coco | N/A |
Kick returner | Keisean Nixon | Jayden Reed* |
Punt returner | Keisean Nixon | Jayden Reed* |
Love is obviously the starter heading into the season. I don't foresee a world where Sean Clifford is on the final roster, so don't be surprised if it's because he simply has a poor summer or if it's because the team added a veteran that pushed him off the roster. It'll be interesting to see what the team does with UDFA Henry Pearson and if he carves out an H-back role, but, it's a safer bet that the Packers' RB room looks like it did in 2022.
The receiver room is full of youth and a lot of inexperience, but it's also full of talent and potential. Reed and Wicks should factor into the offense at some point this year. Kraft and Musgrave should make the Packers a 12 personnel team in 2023 when it comes to their base offense.
Wooden and Brooks are the perfect replacements for Clark and Wyatt whenever the latter two need breathers/breaks. The Packers need one more true nose tackle behind Slaton and Ford should beat out Chris Slayton. No, Van Ness isn't taking Gary's job, it's just probably more likely he has a good summer that allows the team to ease Gary back into action. Because of this, they will also carry five OLBs just to have a backup plan in case there's a setback or complication with Gary.
The inside linebacker room is set and the cornerback position is, too, outside of nickelback. However, Nixon should win that job.
It's anyone guess what happens at safety. But Ford showed enough promise last year to warrant a starting role in 2023 and is the frontrunner to win one of the starting jobs.
