Four best Packers targets on the board heading into Day 2 of the NFL Draft
The Green Bay Packers have three picks heading into Day 2/Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft and sure enough, there are plenty of good players, left as well. The Packers drafted former Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick in the first round, which was something A to Z […]
The Green Bay Packers have three picks heading into Day 2/Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft and sure enough, there are plenty of good players, left as well.
The Packers drafted former Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick in the first round, which was something A to Z Sports predicted in our final mock draft. Van Ness immediately shores up the Packers' pass rush rotation and has the traits to be an eventual starter in Green Bay.
Now, it's time to focus their attention to other needs such as tight end, safety, offensive line, and even wide receiver. Let's take a look at some of the players they could take at 42, 45, and/or 78.
Four best Packers targets heading into Day 2
TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
This is the ultimate Packers pick in Round 2. Washington is a sixth offensive lineman that can also catch and run past people. He’s a complete unicorn when it comes to the type of prospect he represents.
It's a matter of "when" and not "if" when it comes to former Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis joining Aaron Rodgers in New York, and the Packers simply need a tight end on the roster.
Washington gives them a very capable blocker in the run game and if he can develop into a consistent receiving threat, the Packers will have themselves a very good player for a very long time.
*Washington is projected to go in Round 2*
S Brian Branch, Alabama
The Packers have a glaring hole at the safety position and Branch immediately fills that spot.
Branch is an extremely intelligent player that can play multiple positions in the secondary. He could really help the Packers' current search for a nickel corner, even if Matt LaFleur recently said they're going to Keisean Nixon an opportunity to win that job.
Even if Nixon wins the job, Branch would still have an effective role on the defense. And, if Nixon fails to win the job, then Branch will likely be the reason why.
*Branch is projected to go in Round 2*
WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
Jalin Hyatt is a good receiver and the Packers have shown interest in him, but honestly, Cedric Tillman is a better prospect. Hyatt’s ability to take the top off the defense is what has him ahead of Tillman on most boards, which makes sense.
But, the Packers already have an explosive wideout that can stretch the field in Christian Watson. Sure, another Watson would make Jordan Love a very happy man and would add another dynamic element to the offense, but Tillman is also a dynamic player.
Tillman's an "X" receiver, and at 6-foot-3, 216-pounds, he has the size the Packers like in wideouts. He has excellent hands and body control, tracks the ball well, and uses his big frame to block out receivers during contested catch situations. He's also valuable as a blocker in the run game, which is a big plus in Green Bay.
Don't be surprised if you see Tillman in green and yellow after Friday night.
*Tillman is projected to go in Round 3*
NT Siaki Ika, Baylor
T.J. Slaton showed improvement in 2022, but the Packers still need someone to come in and compete with Slaton for the starting nose tackle position.
Enter Ika, who is a massive human being at 6-foot-3, 347-pounds. Ika is pure power, right now, but he has the tools to develop into more than just an early-down run-stuffer.
But, that's exactly what the Packers need, right now. They can sub out Ika/Slaton on obvious passing downs (which is what they would do, anyway) in favor of their nickel/dime defensive alignments while Ika continues to refine his craft.
And, maybe, with some time Ika can develop into a pass-rush threat, as well. Either way, he makes a lot of sense and should be there when the Packers pick in Round 3.
*Ika is projected to go in Round 3*
