Packers: It's going to be tough sledding for multiple 2023 draft picks
The Green Bay Packers drafted 13 players in the 2023 NFL Draft, so naturally, it's going to be hard for some of them to make the 53-man roster. At the same time, there are plenty of open jobs to take, whether it be a starting position or a depth position. So, there's some offset, there. […]
The Green Bay Packers drafted 13 players in the 2023 NFL Draft, so naturally, it's going to be hard for some of them to make the 53-man roster.
At the same time, there are plenty of open jobs to take, whether it be a starting position or a depth position. So, there's some offset, there.
But even then, it's going to be very hard for a few of the Packers' 2023 draft picks to make the team, whether it's because of circumstances out of their control or simply because they can't cut it, right now.
Grant DuBose is the first name that comes to mind and he certainly falls into the circumstances he can't control category. The seventh-round pick has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that has held him out of pretty much the entire offseason program, so far. He was recently mentioned as one of the Packers players who saw their stock drop after minicamp because of the injury situation and, the emergence of undrafted free agent WR Malik Heath.
Another is Lew Nichols III. The Packers already have arguably the NFL's best running back duo in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Both players have heavy roles that give the Packers the convenience of carrying just two backs on the roster, if they choose to do so (and they did last year, so why not this year?).
And even if the Packers do carry three RBs, Nichols is going to have a tough time with Tyler Goodson and Patrick Taylor vying for the job.
Lastly, there's Anthony Johnson Jr. The Packers are looking for a starter opposite Darnell Savage, but there are three candidates ahead of Johnson Jr. that will remain ahead – unless he makes some big waves in camp/preseason. Dallin Leavitt's presence complicates things, as well, since he's the team's special teams ace and is basically guaranteed a roster spot because of that. That means there are four guys in Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, Tarvarius Moore, and Johnson Jr. fighting for about 2-3 spots.
There are jobs open in the safety room, but it's also a really crowded room and Johnson Jr. is going to have to quickly overcome his "little fish" status. The rook is really going to have do big things if he wants to beat final cuts.
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman also left these three players off of his most recent 53-man roster projection and it makes total sense. There's just too much momentum against them, right now.
But, hopefully for the Packers sake, they can at least make these future decisions as hard as possible. Because not only will that mean Matt LaFleur and co. are receiving much-needed competition (iron sharpens iron, blah blah), but these rooks will be putting themselves in the best positions possible to either make the practice squad or possibly get signed away to another team's 53.
Sean Rhyan is on the Packers’ roster bubble heading into training camp
The 2022 draft pick has only played one snap with the Packers and it could also be his last.
Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK
