How much the Packers' 2023 draft class is projected to cost the team

The 2023 NFL Draft is over and now, it's about getting the Green Bay Packers' draft class signed so they can be ready to roll when training camp starts. The Packers came into the draft with 11 picks and left with 13 selections when it was all said and done. In all, it was a […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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Packers, 2023 NFL Draft
Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 2023 NFL Draft is over and now, it's about getting the Green Bay Packers' draft class signed so they can be ready to roll when training camp starts.

The Packers came into the draft with 11 picks and left with 13 selections when it was all said and done. In all, it was a solid draft that had an obvious goal of adding more speed and athleticism to the roster.

Figuring out how much the class will cost to sign is a bit tricky and figuring out how much it'll take up in cap space is a bit trickier. There's one key factor to remember with the latter scenario and that's the top-51 rule. Until final cuts, only the top-51 salaries count against the salary cap. If a new player gets added to the roster and his salary is less than the 51st-ranked salary, then he won't count against the cap. There will be a few rookies who fit this bill and that's where things can get a little tough.

So, what should the Packers' 2023 draft class cost?

Per Over The Cap, the Packers' draft class will count $4,787,744 against the salary cap in 2023. They currently have a little more than $11.4 million in cap space, so they'll be able to sign the class without a problem. 

For 2023, the class totals $14,537,774, which is the fourth-highest projected total for the season. The reason the total is so high is because the Packers' 13 selections tied the Indianapolis Colts for the second-biggest draft class behind the Los Angeles Rams. General manager Brian Gutekunst said Friday night he "wanted as many swings as possible", so, that's why the Packers didn't trade a lot of their extra picks.

In all, it'll cost the Packers $76,554,596 in its entirety. If all of the picks stay on the team throughout the entire duration of their rookie deals, of course.

Below is OTC's projection of how much each pick will count against the cap in 2023:

  • Round 1, Pick 13: $3,289,996
  • Round 2, Pick 42: $1,583,204
  • Round 2, Pick 50: $1,335,208
  • Round 3, Pick 78: $1,020,590
  • Round 4, Pick 116: $952,214
  • Round 5, Pick 149: $835,365
  • Round 5, Pick 159: $829,667
  • Round 5, Pick 179: $805,832
  • Round 6, Pick 207: $791,284
  • Round 7, Pick 232: $776,506
  • Round 7, Pick 235: $775,368
  • Round 7, Pick 242: $772,058
  • Round 7, Pick 256: $770,482

And here's the projected total value of each contract:

  • Round 1, Pick 13: $18,094,978
  • Round 2, Pick 42: $8,707,622
  • Round 2, Pick 50: $7,343,644
  • Round 3, Pick 78: $5,613,248
  • Round 4, Pick 116: $4,648,856
  • Round 5, Pick 149: $4,181,460
  • Round 5, Pick 159: $4,158,668
  • Round 5, Pick 179: $4,063,328
  • Round 6, Pick 207: $4,005,136
  • Round 7, Pick 232: $3,946,024
  • Round 7, Pick 235: $3,941,472
  • Round 7, Pick 242: $3,928,232
  • Round 7, Pick 256: $3,921,928

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