ESPN's latest mock draft puts future of Packers' starter in question
As expected coming into the offseason, the Green Bay Packers haven't been very active outside of adjusting their own players' contracts and discovering ways to trade Aaron Rodgers. Per Over The Cap, the team has just under $23.5 million in cap space, but whatever happens with Rodgers is bound to affect the cap in a […]
As expected coming into the offseason, the Green Bay Packers haven't been very active outside of adjusting their own players' contracts and discovering ways to trade Aaron Rodgers.
Per Over The Cap, the team has just under $23.5 million in cap space, but whatever happens with Rodgers is bound to affect the cap in a certain manner. So, whether it's beneficial or damaging, it makes sense for the Packers to wait and find out what's going to happen with arguably the best player in franchise history before making any big moves in free agency.
And, whatever happens with Rodgers is also holding up the Packers' plans for the 2023 NFL Draft, for the most part. Man, it's really easy to see why the organization -and the vast majority of fans- are ready for this saga to be over.
Regardless, the Rodgers' holdup won't stop people from predicting what the Packers will do in the draft (as it shouldn't), especially ESPN's Mel Kiper.
The Packers receive a nice boost in version 3.0: Kiper has them taking former Iowa pass rusher Lukas Van Ness at No. 15:
Depending on what happens with a potential Aaron Rodgers trade, this could end up being Green Bay's second pick of the top 15… And while I thought long and hard about a wide receiver or tight end here, this defense still has a ways to go. Green Bay ranked 28th in both yards per play allowed (5.8) and yards per carry allowed (5.0) last season, and it tied for 27th in sacks (34)… At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds, Van Ness has the flexibility to play tackle and end; he had 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. Again, there's a lot up in the air about the Packers, but teams always covet edge rushers. – ESPN's Mel Kiper
This pick puts Preston Smith's future with the Packers in doubt
The Packers need pass rush help, as Kiper states. Unfortunately for them, their best pass rusher in Rashan Gary is coming off a torn ACL. The team does have Preston Smith on the other side, which is a big help. Van Ness not only provides a solid three-man rotation once Gary fully recovers, but he provides somewhat of a safety net in case Gary's recovery doesn't go as planned.
What about Smith after 2023, though? His contract is currently set up to where the Packers can move on after this season. He's still productive, but he'll also be 31 at the start of the 2024 season and is set to make a combined $30 million in base salary over the next three seasons.
The Packers can obviously adjust Smith's contract if they really want to keep him around. But what's going to complicate that is his own teammate in Gary. The former first-rounder is either going to receive a big extension or second contract, even with the torn ACL. Pass rushers are a premium in the NFL and the Packers won't shouldn't have Rodgers' massive cap hit hanging over their heads, but it's still hard to envision the team paying a ton of money to the EDGE position, especially when they have an affordable option in Van Ness on the roster.
Outside linebackers coach Jason Rebrovich has mentioned in the past that he likes to have four guys in his rotation, but the salary cap ultimately rules all, even in hypothetical situations like this one.
You can check out Kiper's full mock, here.
