Around the NFC North: 2023 Draft Edition
A quick look at the Packers' rivals' drafts.
By TimBackes
The Packers, obviously, crushed their draft. But how did their NFC North counterparts fare?
Let's take a quick look Around the NFC North.
Chicago Bears
March through June are the best times of year for Bears fans, because every year they're somehow able to convince themselves that THIS is finally THEIR YEAR and that they're going to TAKE DOWN THE PACKERS and TAKE BACK THE RIVALRY. This, of course, never happens, because the Bears suck.
Now, those in the know actually do have good things to say about the Bears draft. Here's how it shook out:
1. Darnell Wright, RT, Tennessee
2. Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
2. Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
3. Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina
4. Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
4. Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
5. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
6. Tyrell Smith, CB, Minnesota
The Bears absolutely needed to bring in some help on the offensive line to keep Justin Fields from having to run for his life for a third consecutive year. Wright was widely considered to be one of, if not the, finest lineman in the draft, so if he lives up to his billing, that's a tremendous upgrade. Will it be enough? That's a different question, but this was certainly the team's biggest area of need.
There was good value with the additions of Johnson and Scott in the fourth round. With the loss of David Montgomery, Johnson may well slide in as a big contributor right away, especially considering his similar skillset to Montgomery. Overall, the Bears did a good job of addressing immediate needs that can also be long-term helps. Unfortunately for all of these young men, their team is going to suck.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have a newfound feistiness thanks to coach Dan Campbell and their sweep of the Packers. In fact, Jared Goff recently expressed disappointment that Aaron Rodgers went to New York, because that meant they wouldn't be able to sweep him again.
However, with half of their receivers now on indefinite suspension because they can't just, like, not gamble on games, they're already facing some significant challenges for the coming year that may prevent them from being able to take the next step.
Here are the dudes they brought in with the hopes of turning a winning record into a playoff berth in 2023.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
1. Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
2. Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
2. Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
3. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
3. Brodric Martin, DT, Western Kentucky
5. Coby Sorsdal, OT, William and Mary
7. Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina
It was definitely a surprise to see the Lions take a running back of all things at #12 when they had so many other concerns to address on their roster. This resulted in the Lions pissing off Deandre Swift, who they then unceremoniously shipped off to Philadelphia, helping to further load up the defending NFC Champions. So, thanks for that, Detroit.
In today's NFL it's difficult to see any value in taking a running back so high. It was a bit of a stunning move when it happened. Yes, Gibbs has tremendous talent, but is he special enough to merit a first round selection, especially in the top half of the first round, in the 2023 NFL, on a roster with so many other glaring weaknesses? It just didn't make sense to me.
The Lions did come back a bit later and get a steal in the form of Brian Branch in the second round. Branch was at one point seen as a potential first round selection. He's a natural slot corner but can also serve as a safety, and is an effective run defender. He's a tremendous tackler and willing to line up just about anywhere.
Goff doesn't need to have any fears about Hooker taking his job; the Tennessee QB is going to be a project.
Overall, a bit of an up and down draft for the Lions. But they did provide some chuckles in the Backes household when they selected a running back so early.
Minnesota Vikings
Frankly, I almost forgot the Vikings even participated in this draft. It never really felt like they made any kind of impact, and they only had six selections.
1. Jordan Addison, WR, USC
3. Mekhi Blackmon, CB, USC
4. Jay Ward, S, LSU
5. Jaquelin Roy, DT, LSU
5. Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
7. DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
I was really expecting the Vikings to go quarterback early, because I have a hard time believing they're going to go back to the Kirk Cousins well once again after his contract expires. This means the Vikings either will indeed bring back Cousins, or they're going to be left scrambling to find someone to fill the position.
Addison definitely helps address depth concerns behind Justin Jefferson, so we'll see how he slots into the offense from day one, because they're going to need him to be an immediate contributor. Critics said Blackmon's value was not great considering who else was on the board at the time int he third round, and after that, it's a bunch of Day 3 guys who may or may not end up amounting to anything. Hall figures to be a developmental prospect at best.
It's difficult to see how this draft made the Vikings markedly better. Part of that is the relative lack of picks, and part of that is they still have significant defensive concerns. It'll be interesting to see which version of the Vikings we get in 2023.
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (100)
packer132
May 01, 2023 at 11:16 am
I see a pretty even season for the black and blue division. Even if I was not a homer and huge Packers fan, I think GB moved a step ahead of their rivals. Often draft picks take time to grade or evaluate (see Rashan Gary) but on paper the picks fill most needs. I really expect the pass rush and stopping the run will be vastly improved from years past. The tight end position is a huge upgrade and expect LaFleur to utilize the new players. I am pleased that GB didn't take a 1st rd. running back as Detroit did. I am excited to see how training camp battles go and how the 2nd year players improve their game. The page has turned.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 11:28 am
The only thing I will say is Gibbs, if he's used as a RB, Slot WR, and WR, he's better value than people think. Dude is a TD waiting to happen.
I think the Iowa LBer was actually a great pick too, might be a little high, but no more so than Quay was for us last year. They got the guys they wanted.
Glad we got a better WR in the 2nd round than the Vikings got in the 1st round... ; )
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 12:02 pm
BDU, I think Gibbs is a classic example of bringing sand to the beach. They had one of the best offenses in the league last year and one of the worst defenses.
I wasn't impressed with anything our division opponents did.
I noticed in this draft that several of the players we took had better seasons as a junior than a senior, just like Love. Apparently, something about that puts you on the Packers radar.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 01:13 pm
Or they wanted their strength to remain a strength. Didn't they trade Swift for a ham sandwich? I know I'm not looking forward to Campbell being in the middle of that Lions defense. Remember Urlacher in the middle for Chicago. A dude that big in the middle cause's problems.
I thought the Lions had a better draft than the Vikings. I thought the Bears had a better draft than the Vikings too.
Lh, we won't know for a couple of years and while I hope you're right, I have a feeling we're going to hate they drafted both of them.
jannesbjornson
May 01, 2023 at 01:25 pm
They were shopping D'Andre Swift.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 02:09 pm
Let's think this through..... they let Williams leave in FA, and trade Swift for a Day 3 pick...in 2025!!!!!! That's trading for a bag of used jocks.!
Williams, and Swift, combined for over 2000 yards of total offense. They had 362 rushes and almost 100 targets between them. And the plan is to get rid of both of these guys so they can spend a high premium choice on a RB to replace them. I don't have a clue how that benefits the team.....it seems like you're just plugging holes. But this is Detroit, which has perfected screwing up. Just ask Jameson Williams.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 03:14 pm
You spelled Detroilet wrong.
LeotisHarris
May 01, 2023 at 03:33 pm
Stop it, LH. The culture has changed in Dee-Troit thanks to Coach Talking Bicep. They went 9-8, mofo! 9 AND mofo 8! They've won the Draft and will win the off-season again. You just watch! Jared Goff's window for greatness will *not* be wasted.
Is it possible those multiple staffers fired because of gambling worked in Player Personnel?
Tundraboy
May 01, 2023 at 07:46 pm
It's almost like they didn't know what to do with all the Stafford picks. Finally not sucking and an embarrassment of riches made them drunk stupid I guess. Jamaal deserved better and now will have it.
davekenya
May 01, 2023 at 04:09 pm
"Or they wanted their strength to remain a strength."...
FYI -- The Gallop pole people (with a 50 year evaluation and a huge database ) concluded that many people believe that in order to improve, they need to work on their weaknesses. The CliftonStrengths assessment takes the opposite approach — it teaches you to focus on and build your strengths. It gives you the self-awareness to know what you’re good at and how to leverage your strengths. Could this individual approach apply to teams too?
I've often wondered how this would play out in the NFL -- for the Packers of the last decade, would they have been better off 'playing to their strengths' and giving AR better WRs to work with (would that translate into more (post-season) wins) versus shoring up their weaknesses (using all the #1s on defense to try to improve it). Which strategy would have taken the Packers further? Any you'd have to somehow factor in 'diminishing returns' -- i.e. you can't have 6 first round WRs as they'd not all see the field. Nobody knows how this would shake out...but it'd be something to debate over a few beers.
CheesedDeadHead
May 01, 2023 at 11:19 am
It's not often that I think a draft by any team is horrible, but here we are in 2023 with the Detroit Lions mistake by the border draft. If you shift Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta and Branch down one round and have had 2 1st round caliber picks that would have been a decent draft from the Lions. This mess isn't going to help the Lions take that next step. Plus the C'F'ck of trading Swift for a smoking dumpster to the Eagles and I really think someone installed Matt Millen as the GM for the last few days.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 01:49 pm
The Lions drafted as if they are favorites to contend. Prices they thought take them higher follows by high floor types to improve now. A draft as if this is their year almost. Odd, but it looks like they see themselves as anointed after a winning season, that their window is now. The Bears are signing first and supplementing through the draft. The Vikings draft is not one I’d be happy with.
barutanseijin
May 01, 2023 at 03:41 pm
Believing your own hype is a ticket to Loserville. The Loins have been crowned offseason champions of the North. A regular regression will be amusing now that their fans are as annoying as Vikings fans.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 11:19 am
Jayden Reed 5' 11' 187 lbs 30 1/2" arms 9 1/8" hands 4.45 40 1.57 10 yard split 33.5" vert 10' 1" broad 4.29 20 yard shuttle
Jordan Addison 5' 11" 173 lbs 30 7/8" arms 8 3/4" hands 4.49 40 1.56 10 yard split 34" vert 10' 2" broad refused 20 yard shuttle
Jaxon Smith-Njigba 6' 1" 196 lbs 30 1/2" arms 9" hands 35" vert 10'5" broad 3.93 20 yard shuttle
JSN didn't run a 40 at combine. His pro day 40 depending on who you ask was a slow as 4.53. Usually, pro day 40s are much faster than times at Indy. I'm not saying JSN won't be a decent pro, but I feel like Gutey knew what he was doing passing on JSN. I think that was the plan all along.
Glad Gutey drafted Reed in the second round as opposed to Addison or JSN in the 1st round, but that is just me.
NateK
May 01, 2023 at 11:55 am
Agreed. On paper, which is really all we have now, this looks like a killer move.
stockholder
May 01, 2023 at 01:01 pm
You must really need the thumbs up.
You've been doing this long enough to know
Reed won't be better than either.
And that Gutey protected his butt
with the other two picks.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 01:22 pm
Lol. Thank you sh. That is literally the greatest sign in the history of the world that Gutey made the exact right decision.
So, for the record sh, you're betting against a WR GB drafted in the 2nd round.
Greg Jennings
Jordy Nelson
Davante Adams
Christian Watson
Jayden Reed
That really doesn't surprise me sh, because you've had like two decent takes in the last two years. You're good for one a year. SMH
stockholder
May 01, 2023 at 01:31 pm
Thank You - You understood my comment.
You do understand the difference between TT
And Gutey??
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 02:22 pm
Well, TT is dead and Gutekunst is alive.
They both had been in the Green Bay organization before they became GMs. They both had long scouting backgrounds. Thompson was Gutekunst's mentor. So it shouldn't be a big surprise if Gutekunst learned from Thompson.
That doesn't mean that Gutekunst isn't his own guy....his willingness to be a play in free agency shows that......but it does mean the organization has a way of thinking, and a way of doing things, and a scouting department that is good at identifying WRs who can play.
13TimeChamps
May 01, 2023 at 03:10 pm
You forgot Randall Cobb as a 2nd round receiver.
On a totally unrelated topic. For all of those saying GB was stupid not selecting Patrick Queen instead of Jordan Love. The Ravens did not pick up Quenn's 5th year option.
"Baltimore made that move because Queen hadn't lived up to expectations of being the 28th overall pick in 2020. He struggled at times in coverage and missed tackles."
stockholder
May 02, 2023 at 02:03 pm
No- it was stupid to take Love.
Higgins would have helped.
But Queen would have worked here.
Queen got injured - Slowed him down.
Like Other ILBs.
Balt. took Simpson. Which was a better choice.
He will be an All-pro. A Steal that replaces Queen.
leche
May 01, 2023 at 03:34 pm
Wait, you think there's something transcendently magical about the Packers and 2nd round wide receivers?
Gee
May 01, 2023 at 06:16 pm
Hey BDU good to see you again, and well history has shown 4th round OL and 2nd round wr, are GB sweet spot. Can't wait for training camp.
Vachio
May 01, 2023 at 01:47 pm
Totally with you. JSN missed a ton of time with a relatively minor injury. I know from personal experience how hamstring injuries can linger, but to miss that much time with a non-surgical injury is a big red flag to me.
I didn't look at anything on Reed before the draft due to him being outside of the normal Packer size requirements, but I like him. He doesn't play small. Reminds me of Steve Smith without the anger issues (he's also taller than Smith).
jlc1
May 02, 2023 at 07:43 am
But then the Pack drafted 2 or maybe it was 3 guys coming off significant injuries. So injury probably was not their reason for passing on him.
Can't wait for the draft chatter to pass so that we can start assessing this coaching staff. Barry is an F. MLF is a B so far but an F in preparing the team in big games. Might be his second to last season unless they win the division either year which seems unlikely.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 02:11 pm
This time, BDU, I hope YOU are right. I think Reed is going to be the smallest guy on the field, with the smallest catch radius of any Packer receiver in quite a while. Maybe he'll be superduper, but I'd have been happier with a bigger, more physical guy.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 02:49 pm
I think he's much faster and at least as physical as Cobb ever was. I see JR as Cobb's replacement, add in the ST value, and I think they're very comparable. After Cobb's injury, he was still a decent player but never as explosive as his rookie year and even as a rookie he wasn't a blazer. I think of JR as Cobb 2.0. Faster, quicker, easily as physical. Won't know until footballs start flying, but that is what I envision.
JSN is slower than both Cobb and Amari, so I feel JR is an upgrade over what we could've gotten out of JSN. If you take JSN in the 1st round and compare the production of JR in the 2nd round, I think in a couple years, we'll be happy Gutey took JR, just my biased opinion.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:09 pm
If he’s the player reflected in the combine metrics, I think he will struggle. If he’s the speedster that Sullivan described, then he could indeed be a steal.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 03:28 pm
I don’t know, man.
LaFleur sure as hell knew exactly who he wanted to run all of his Jet concepts.
The fact that GB took Athlon’s #20 player in Van Ness, #23 player in Musgrave and #18 player in Kraft, with Reed sandwiched in there at pick #45 tells me they really wanted him.
They may have also gotten intel SF was looking to trade up to take him.
If the perfect guy to FINALLY run all of your Jet concepts is there, in a breakout year for both LaFleur & Love, you take him.
I wanted Tillman or Rice, myself, but thrilled they took both Wicks & DuBose. AND Musgrave. AND Reed.
My dear friend who covered the Packers for a living at Milwaukee JS had tears in his eyes watching Grant DuBose highlights. Wicks’ 2021 reel is insanely good. Both WRs with size, speed and routes, toughness.
All 3 players’ talents should translate to the NFL just fine. All three are toughAF.
13TimeChamps
May 01, 2023 at 04:14 pm
Good lord, how many f'ing times are you going to bring up your "dear friend who covered the Packers for a living at Milwaukee JS"?
He had tears in his eyes? Really? Did you offer your "dear friend who covered the Packers for a living at Milwaukee JS" a tissue?
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 06:25 pm
FUCK OFF ASSHOLE!!!
TKWorldWide
May 01, 2023 at 02:17 pm
Same page, brochacho!
LLCHESTY
May 01, 2023 at 06:05 pm
I think you're underselling JSN's agility times. Those a crazy low numbers and he won't be asked to run in a straight line often. He's going to scare the hell out of interior defenders.
Tony Pauline told Andy Herman today he'd rather have JSN and Zach Harrison than Van Ness and Reed. That's two too many Buckeyes for me but time will tell.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:13 pm
No doubt he is elusive, but he’s going to have to be with that long speed and burst. Adams had just about enough speed to convert catches into yards. Will JSN? If not he will be a very good possession type, not a first rounder.
Gee
May 01, 2023 at 06:23 pm
Watson and Doubs outside leaves a lot of space underneath, having a guy who can beat the first tackler will help Love out tons.,
Hugh
May 01, 2023 at 11:42 pm
One of the Packers officials said their 40 time for Jayden Reed was 4.37. (Forgot which; it was in one of the video interviews).
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 11:53 pm
The VP of Player Personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Lootstone
May 01, 2023 at 11:45 am
The real elephant in this draft will be IF Brian Branch's skillset transfers to the NFL level. I didn't want to pick him in the 1st at all. But, the second trade out for simply a 5th, where we drafted an old man QB - no offense to his skillset, but I'm not looking for an above average 2nd string QB at all if Jordan gets hurt - I'd rather lose 2023 and land a higher draft pick at that point. I'm just shaking my head. We had all that capital to trade up for a Michael Wilson or Drew Sanders. Players that showed something special rather than a "what if ceiling scenario" for literally almost every pick.
We can't use all 9 of those wide receivers on the field now can we?
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 12:05 pm
I would never rather lose.
I've been reading about the QB we drafted, and watching video of him. He can definitely run, and he's got a pretty strong arm, and he played quite a few college games. I'm suspecting this is actually a better pick than many think.
Lootstone
May 01, 2023 at 12:29 pm
If you looked at next years QBs, and if Jordan Love gets injured in game 1-5, you really want to put everything on Clifford? I was mistaken on his age though. I heard he was 33 somewhere. If you search his age, algorithms pull up that he is 33 lol. He's not, so I apologize on that since I didn't research this guy at all beyond his tape. But he is wildly inaccurate. He's like me throwing a football. I can sail it perfectly 50% of the time too.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 02:16 pm
We're going to have to disagree. You see him sailing long balls, I see him throwing hard strikes downfield.
Next year's QBs are next year's. We're going to have to play 2023 first. Maybe Love stays healthy and plays great. Maybe he plays OK. Maybe he plays poorly. Maybe he gets hurt, and if he does, we're going to have to have a guy that can play for us.
His accuracy....interestingly....is "inflated by the number of WR screens and dump offs to the RBs", as I read in one of his scouting reports. Hmmmmm. Is there a team in the league where about half the passes are to the RBs and on WR screens? I believe there is.
He's a 5th round QB. 90% of them never amount to squat, and only about 1% are better than squat. If he ever helps us win a game, it's gravy.
Lootstone
May 01, 2023 at 02:24 pm
He's had some genuine air balls in his collegiate career. And that's exactly why it wasn't necessary. It's the 5th round, plenty of teams had only 6 or less picks all draft that would of gladly traded down if we had a player in mind to go up and grab. It just seemed like we only had a player "type" more so towards round 3+. That's why it was a frustrating draft for me. To have 13 picks and just let the board fall showed little to no game plan for this year.
LLCHESTY
May 01, 2023 at 06:09 pm
Agreed, I'm pretty confident he would have been there at 256. I saw him play a few times and never thought there's an NFL QB. Hall and McKee seemed like better options but maybe they liked the experience or see something they think they can fix.
Ferrari-Driver
May 01, 2023 at 02:44 pm
Tom Brady who has been lauded as the QB GOAT (arguably) was drafted in the 6th and he has a career a lot better than squat.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:19 pm
True, but I’d take Matt Flynn over this guy any day.
Ferrari-Driver
May 01, 2023 at 11:39 pm
I'm far from enamored with him as well. I realize he has played a lot of games, but in the three games I watched him play this year, I just didn't see his skills translating well to the NFL. He doesn't have a canon for an arm and he seems to lack the pin point accuracy needed at the NFL level. I realize I've been soiled for 30 years with Favre and Rodgers, so maybe I'm expecting too much out of what should be a back-up quarterback.
I also thought drafting the kicker Gute selected in the 6th was a big reach. I liked either of the first two kickers that were drafted, but after both Moody and Ryland were gone, I just felt if they wanted to add a kickers it should have been a free agent and personally, I felt Carlson should have been signed as a free agent as opposed to using the 6th rounder on him.
LambeauPlain
May 01, 2023 at 05:15 pm
If you wanted a potential starting NFL QB, not a good pick.
If you wanted a potential solid NFL back up QB, probably a good pick...and a safe pick.
Clifford has played a lot of football...by all accounts has a great football IQ. He's actually older than Love and has taken more total game day snaps. Hopefully they work well together. He's about the same size Zeke Bratkowski who was a great teammate playing 2nd chair to Bart. Maybe it's karma.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:25 pm
I do not get it, but while it’s true that they panicked, they did so because they thought he was clearly better in their eyes than any other left out there. I can’t figure out why, in terms of arm, processing or upside, but LaFleur and Gute, and thus hopefully Clements, hold that view. Let’s hope they are right, just as I hope Bissacia knows more than us on the kicker.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 06:53 pm
Exactly. Maybe many didn’t feel there was a need to take a QB in this draft, myself included.
However, there was a time under Wolf where QBs drafted in this round or close to were trained up and turned into commodities in trade, in a dedicated system. Added high draft picks in a systematic process with from a sound program has its advantages.
Ty Detmer, Mark Brunnell, Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks… If that’s where they want to go, more power to them.
Plus, there’s a lot of positives with having a good backup that fits your system.
Lootstone
May 01, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Oh wait, no sorry. Packers drafted the best - clearly. Every season we draft better than the lions that beat us twice last year because their defense is just terrible. Brian Branch will add nothing. Sorry to the thumbs downer with no response. What am I thinking, we didn't need the #1 safety prospect, give it to our rivals instead for a 5th rounder. Pure genius. Go Pack Go. Lol
PASSdaRELISH
May 01, 2023 at 09:04 pm
Last year the Vikings thought it was a good Idea to trade with us to gain an extra pick and we fleeced them pretty good by taking a very promising WR in Watson, I’m sure there regretting that move. Fast forward to this year and we didn’t learn from are own great fortunes, You don’t help out our NFC North rivals. And then compound their stupidity by taking a QB that we probably could have signed after the draft. Because there was nobody else more talented on the board in round 5 than Sean Clifford. What a joke of a GM
mnbadger
May 01, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Totally agree about the logic of drafting back to pick "more" average players than picking fewer, better players.
Very limited amount of roster spots.
I think we got better, but we'll know in a year or two if this was the way to go.
GPG!
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:16 pm
Looks like he’s destined for the nickel S role, which is probably where he’s suited and he played mostly. That was not how we would have needed him ideally. Bad fit, not a first round role.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 07:02 pm
Good to see you, Lootstone!
I’d like to know the story behind Gutekunst not taking Branch, but, they sure didn’t appear to want him.
S Anthony Johnson Jr. Is only slightly faster. I have to think there was other info they had making Branch a no-go.
There’s a lot to like with Johnson Jr. and, I have to agree with Andy Herman from his last bit with Nags that the kid could wind up starting this year.
As for Michael Wilson, love the player, but two foot injuries scared me off wanting him selected by GB.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Johnson was a seventh round flyer. This issue wasn’t drafting Branch at all, but where he became good value. That clearly wasn’t the first round for any team.
mrtundra
May 01, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Last season I said Detroit was going to be our biggest competition in The North, this season. I still stand by that. As far as Goff goes, I'd unleash Quay Walker on him, all game long, both times we play them. Chicago did well to draft Darnell Wright, to protect Fields. Somehow, I do not think Wright will be enough, to protect their QB, especially now that we have Lukas Van Ness putting the cross hairs on Fields. As far as the vikings go, I feel their soft schedule exposed them when the playoffs rolled around. NYG cleaned their clock and next season, I feel the vikings will be closer to .500 than they want to be. I also feel the phrase "coming up short" will be a big part of their lexicon. Now, I hope all of our draft picks contribute to the Packers' success, this upcoming season, enough to win the North, once again. GO PACK, GO!!!
stockholder
May 01, 2023 at 12:56 pm
The packers will be lucky to split in their Division.
The Bears went right to the DL after Wright.
They won't be last years bears.
The Black and Blue will be just that.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 01:58 pm
The Bears will be very different. They are awash in cap and have signed players. That may or may not work out. It’s premised on Fields proving to be a lot better pure passer. They could be much better or a mess. This draft makes me wonder if Detroit aren’t greatly overestimating what they had. That’s a draft to finish honing, not to take a next step. The Vikings know their mini window is likely closed again. Their draft shows holding year and maybe a much better QB choice next year.
LLCHESTY
May 01, 2023 at 06:14 pm
I think Campbell will have a big influence on their D. He's big, can run and drops people. They have a pretty athletic group in front of him too. I think they made a mistake not moving down to get him later though. Gutey's not the only one.
BirdDogUni
May 01, 2023 at 02:57 pm
How to tell me you Rec your own comments without telling me you "Rec" your own comments...
You have a thumbs up.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 07:14 pm
Fantastic, mrtundra!!! I’m all-in on that. All of it. Well put.
splitpea1
May 01, 2023 at 12:45 pm
What this boils down to: The NFC North is going to be wide open for a couple of seasons, and the Packers should be able to succeed.
The Bears are going to need more help than that!
The Lions taking LaPorta over Mayer was puzzling. Branch and Joseph gives them a nice safety tandem, though.
The Packers will need to be ready to defend the Vikings' one-two punch of Jefferson and Addison. We'll see if Barry is up to the challenge. Hmmm....
Lootstone
May 01, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Don't forget adding just one more weapon in DJ Moore opens up the game for a now better experienced Fields who can definitely be elusive when he needs to. But I agree, their draft wasn't the greatest.
Just think if Bijan fell to 9 in that draft. So glad Bijan went to a garbage team since we couldn't scoop him up.
Vachio
May 01, 2023 at 01:51 pm
Barry couldn't design a scheme to slow down George Jefferson. Probably not Weezy, either.
Rebelgb
May 01, 2023 at 01:11 pm
I think the Bears take the biggest stop forward in 2023.
I think the Lions take a small step back but are fighting for a spot on top of the division if not a wild card by end of year.
I think the Vikings take 3 steps back and struggle to stay around .500.
I think record wise the Packers stay about the same as last year, but Love looks like a good pick and the Pack is competitive and fun to watch all year with excitement really building towards 2024.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 02:18 pm
We're going to win the division this year.
Samson
May 01, 2023 at 03:23 pm
You may very well be right...Da Bears aren't improving from "worst to first" in one year. Love watching Fields run but he's an injury waiting to happen...Suddenly the Lions have identity problems on the 'O' and the Vikings will slide because Cousins is obviously a lame duck QB & the Vikes will lose 1/2 of their close games in 2023...back to the norm.
That leaves the Pack...That's the fun part...No one really knows....The Pack will have many high draft picks on the 53...That's what I'm counting on.
dobber
May 01, 2023 at 06:28 pm
Haven't seen you in awhile, Samson. Hope you've been well!
Samson
May 02, 2023 at 11:55 am
Actually, I'm now older with all the expected maladies & then some....But....I wouldn't miss the start of a new & improved Packers Era (crossing fingers).
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 07:22 pm
I totally agree with you, LH.
This has the potential to be a very dynamic team the Packers have for 2023, with a ton of new, young, fast, players with sound skill pedigree.
Guessing Jordan Love is more than ready to finally take over QB1, and he’ll have great protection, and some ballers at every single skill position.
Add to that, we’re playing with house money. Nobody’s giving the Packers a second look with Rodgers out the door. I bet this year’s team comes out loose, ready to play, better focused, with fewer distractions. I think we’ll see them actually having one helluva lot of fun.
They’ll be growing together, with common mindsets & goals.
13TimeChamps
May 01, 2023 at 08:37 pm
"Guessing Jordan Love is more than ready to finally take over QB1, and he’ll have great protection"
You mean protection from all those Olinemen you wanted to (actually gauranteed but didn't happen) trade to the Jets so Rodgers would be comfortable? Those ballers?
I agree with you. Love will be protected. Thank goodness there are professionals making these decisions.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 09:48 pm
Whatever, Princess Nitwit.
You clearly never put forth an effort to meaningfully contribute, even at the risk of possibly being wrong. Never offer anything other than personal attacks.
Aaron Rodgers is going to get creamed behind that OL made up of rookies and players coming off serious injury.
If they wanted to win a Super Bowl, they should have traded for system ready OL we could spare.
But, Noooooo!
Now, we’ll be lucky if that AR 2024 pick isn’t an R2.
But, I digress. What I proposed required thought, some research and trust that people here would know I was putting forth a simple possibility.
A team trading for a player of that caliber with no plan to protect their investment tells me the Jets are as stupid as advertised.
You apparently couldn’t handle a thought provoking offering, in a forum for fans to do such, because you champion nothing but your obdurate, undiscerning, mean spirited, childish, inconsiderate & spiteful self.
I blow my nose at you. Svine.
13TimeChamps
May 01, 2023 at 10:22 pm
Ah back to your middle school name calling. A name you couldn't even come up with yourself...lol.
"What I proposed" No, what you guaranteed ad nauseum. The rest of us were just too stupid to see your "vision". I guess the professionals that do this for a living were as well.
"If they wanted to win a Super Bowl, they should have traded for system ready OL we could spare." This OL we could spare, now is going to offer Love "great protection".
"a thought provoking offering" An "offering" not one person on this site agreed with even after posting it 50 times. Not to mention GB or NY. Curious if your "dear" beat writer friend agreed with your nutty "offering".
Spending every waking minute from the time you get up in the morning on this site actually doesn't make you any more knowledgeable than anyone else. It just means you don't have a life.
I'm not one for name calling. But I'll make an exception for you. You're an idiot.
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 10:57 pm
Knock it off. Enough already. You don’t know my life.
Asked you 3 years ago to back off. Provoke much?
Back off.
Tell you what. Ignore me. I’ll go back to ignoring you.
13TimeChamps
May 01, 2023 at 11:27 pm
You're in luck. The season is over. The Rodgers drama is over. The draft is over. The weather is getting more and more gorgeous every day.
Football won't become relevant again for a few more months. Time to get some gardening in. A little fishing. Cruising the countryside on my Softail with my lovely wife.
You won't have to put up with my nitwit posts for a while. So enjoy your 12 hours a day on here with no interruptions from me. But maybe ease up on all the f-bombs. Not a good look.
Peace.
Rebelgb
May 02, 2023 at 09:19 am
greengold I thought your ideas on the draft were a little out there too....BUT other than that I have always enjoyed your posts and your input. Keep up the good work.
Go Pack!
LeotisHarris
May 01, 2023 at 03:40 pm
I know it's a typo, Rebelgb, but I think you served up a gem to the Bears' Marketing staff. Can you see it?
Chicago Bears 2023: Take the Biggest Stop Forward.
LambeauPlain
May 01, 2023 at 05:26 pm
Haha!
Another:
Chicago Bears 2023: Take the Biggest Stop, Forewarned!
LeotisHarris
May 01, 2023 at 06:38 pm
::fistbump::
greengold
May 01, 2023 at 07:25 pm
I saw that too! Love that you called it out, Leotis! Proper!
Rebelgb
May 02, 2023 at 09:20 am
Ha! Maybe im hoping to Jinx them! If noone at Da Bear office knocked on wood they could be in deep shit!
White92
May 01, 2023 at 07:30 pm
Right about where I am
BA4Packers
May 01, 2023 at 10:17 pm
I’m in board with that
PatrickGB
May 01, 2023 at 01:41 pm
My first thoughts on Minnesotas draft was that they figured that great WR’s can make an average QB look good. My first thought on Detroits draft was that they will be a run heavier team. My first thoughts on Chicago was that the Bears still suck!
Qoojo
May 01, 2023 at 02:22 pm
Based on positions and draft round, Chicago's draft looks better than the other two. MN's draft looks like a panic attack. Detroit selecting a RB so high does seem like a blunder, but you can't judge a team's whole draft by one pick. With 6 picks in first 3 rounds, they got to roll the dice often fairly early in the draft which always increases chances of picking winner.
Dancrothers54
May 01, 2023 at 02:23 pm
In some sort of convoluted logic it’s nice that we didn’t have to draft for win now ! All the pics have upside and potential and we’re surrounding a young quarterback with nice weapons. We may not go to the Super Bowl this year but this team I believe or surprise a lot of people ! When we look at last year‘s draft and this year‘s draft in 2025 we’re going to see a lot of studs and pro bowl caliber players! This was a sneaky good draft for the pack
Spawny
May 01, 2023 at 03:21 pm
The overall arrogance displayed by this author and posters is clearly a sign of inherited ignorance.
Let me point out to you that the "owner of the Bears" now resides in New York. The term "the Bears suck" is directly attributed to Farve and Rodgers play.Guess what? The Bears are getting better and Green Bay is not. No matter how you look at it Rodgers to the Jets is a major step back in leadership and performance. Chicago was a tough out last year with Rodgers at the helm. I expect to lose both games against the Bears this year.
Detroit has the best personnel in the Black and Blue. Goff is a couple light years ahead of Love in experience and recognition. Again we will go 0-2 against the Lions. Their coaching is superior. Their pass rush is formidable. They will punch the Pack in the mouth and Love will learn the meaning of "Run Forrest run!"
Now I will admit that Coitus Cousins is a choker. He clearly sports an extra small jock strap. But,,, Love hasn't even been fitted for a jock strap. Plus that Viking horn sends terror down the spineless Barry's back. Every time that horn sounds Barry pisses himself. Third and three Barry drops a load in his depends while shouting. "Play back ten yards and don't get beat deep. Excuse me but I just shat myself." 1-1 is the best we can hope for unless Jaire and Rasul lock Barry is the portapotty.
Samson
May 01, 2023 at 03:39 pm
Pure gibberish, also called jibber-jabber or gobbledygook.
Try again next year.
Spawny
May 01, 2023 at 04:08 pm
Is this a personal attack? Stay focused young Samson. We are talking football and not your favorite words. OOOOFH Duh.
LeotisHarris
May 01, 2023 at 03:48 pm
"...attributal.." LOL
Captain Ignorance likes his werdz
Spawny
May 01, 2023 at 04:04 pm
I bow down to your superior editing skills oh great Leotis. Try "words". You might want to check out of your darkness retreat.
Spock
May 02, 2023 at 10:04 am
"Werdz" was sarcasm; you couldn't figure that out?
barutanseijin
May 01, 2023 at 04:50 pm
The Bear-Owner was rather mediocre overall last season. On some QB rankings he was just behind Justin Fields who is rather shit as a passer. It’s a credit to the rest of the team that they were able to win 7 games in spite of the Departed. The Bear-Owner played especially poorly against the Loins, games where better QBing would likely have put them in the playoffs.
The Packers thought they would be better off with Love. I think they’ll be proven right. Cocky Lion fans are going to be eating crow.
Coldworld
May 01, 2023 at 06:40 pm
I’m not expecting us to dominate offensively this year. I’m expecting us to be up and down. That’s what happens with inexperienced teams. I think we will be very good at times and not at others. If LaFleur unfettered can really roll out a 2020 style O, but more so, that may actually be better than any draft pick.
I do think, on paper, these picks suggest that is the plan. Our O is a lot faster and more threatening potentially. By 2024, that may really begin to show consistently. On D, can Barry and co keep us in enough games where we stutter? Maybe, but the real dividend for having and having to play these guys will come next year and beyond.
This team is changing, across the roster in names and types. It’s going to be a wild ride, but I think a fun one, if bumpy.
davekenya
May 01, 2023 at 03:55 pm
In evaluating a team's draft, I think you have to factor in future tradevalue gained to more accurately assess their (current 2023) draft.
For example, in evaluating the 2023 Bears' draft, the author should also factor that in trading back from R1P1 to R1P9, the Bears also got a 2024 first, a 2025 second, and wide receiver DJ Moore from the Panthers. Factoring this in alone greatly bumps up the Bears' 2023 draft (in this example).
In the same way, as Packer fans, we'd've wanted our 2018 draft to be evaluated not only on getting Jaire Alexander (via the NO trade where they took Davenport) but to also factor in we got a 2019 R1 pick (which ultimately ended up getting us Savage). Slightly oversimplify, our 2018 draft thus landed us both Alexander and Savage and we'd want that 2018 draft evaluation to reflect it. Fair?
Spawny
May 01, 2023 at 03:58 pm
Excellent points.
LambeauPlain
May 01, 2023 at 05:47 pm
Thanks Tim! After reading your article I feel even better about the Packer's Draft.
Any objective analysis would find the Packers are expected have more of their picks contributing next season. Probably twice as many. That's roster improvement.
Now need the coaching to step it up. I truly hope Rich will spend half his time supervising the Barry's Defense to make it better. 8 first rounders now!
But with their top prospects, Van Ness, Musgrave, Reed, Kraft, Wooden, Brooks, & Carlson will all probably be in the top 10 of NFC North draft picks with the most snaps next season.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 06:50 pm
Detroit has the best talent in the division all the time. Megaton, Donkey Kong Suh, Stafford , etc. That’s what happens when you are drafting near the top of the round.
I will believe in the Lions when they give me a reason, and they haven’t in 30 years.
Swisch
May 01, 2023 at 08:02 pm
I can't help but be at least a little sad for Lions fans not having their team win a title since 1957, when former Packer Tobin Rote came in at quarterback for the injured Bobby Layne to lead a remarkable stretch run to the ultimate triumph.
Leatherhead
May 01, 2023 at 09:51 pm
The Lions won in 1957. The Vikings came in the league in 1960, and haven't ever won the title.....but it's still been a shorter drought than the Lions.
It's not that they never win....they never compete. They are the Jets of the North.