Three draft prospects the Packers could pick after trading Aaron Rodgers
It's not 100% final, but the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets have finally agreed to terms when it comes to trading superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news Monday, along with the compensation. The Packers will receive the Jets' 13th, 42nd, and 207th overall picks in 2023, and, a conditional […]
It's not 100% final, but the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets have finally agreed to terms when it comes to trading superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news Monday, along with the compensation. The Packers will receive the Jets' 13th, 42nd, and 207th overall picks in 2023, and, a conditional 2024 second-rounder that will become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays at least 65% of offensive snaps in 2023. The Jets, on the other hand, receive Rodgers and the Packers' 15th and 170th overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Almost immediately after the trade was announced, Packers general manager spoke with the media in what was his scheduled pre-draft press conference and offered up a very interesting comment regarding his move up to 13th overall in this year's draft.
"If you look at the trade charts, they'll tell you what that's worth and things like that," said Gutekunst. "Really, I have no idea until we're on the clock and we're picking it, right? So, we'll see. But, you know, if I were to do that, I'd be doing it because I thought it was important."
So, it's obvious Gutekunst feels it was important to move up in the draft. Let's take a look at the three most likely prospects he traded up for.
Three draft prospects the Packers could’ve traded up for
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Gutekunst made it clear during Monday’s press conference that he wants to load up around Jordan Love. Granted, he also clarified he can load up by strengthening the defense and special teams. However, the Packers need a third -and inside- receiving option to go along with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on the outside.
JSN gives Love a reliable target over the middle and a third, young receiver to bond with over the coming months and (hopefully) years.
OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

The return of David Bakhtiari likely means Elgton Jenkins will slide inside to guard, but that’s not a guarantee, by any means.
Adding Skoronski into the mix will give the Packers their best bet at putting togehter an effective offensive line. Skoronski is versatile and athletic, the two traits the Packers covet the most in their front five. Having him on the roster allows the Packers to do whatever is best since he can play tackle or guard.
EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia

It’s unclear when Rashan Gary will be ready to return to the football field and even then the Packers need a third option in their pass rush rotation.
Smith is very raw, but has all the potential in the world. Much like Gary coming out of college and we've seen how that has turned out. Historically, Gutekunst loves taking athletes in the first round and Smith is just that.
"I think it's a good EDGE class this year," said Gutekunst. "I think it's a lot deeper of a class of EDGE players then there has been in other years."
The Packers obviously have someone in mind and they obviously think said someone would've been off the board by No. 15. Rodgers' value also played a part in Gutekunst's desire to move up two spots, but it certainly seems more like a specific player caught his eye and he is doing what he can to make sure he drafts that player in 2023.