Personally, I think the BPA is going to be 15: TE, 45: ED or DL, 78: S or WR.
The more I look at this draft’s makeup, the more I think we should take D Washington ( or whomever Gute prefers) at 15. Get the top guy at the position of greatest need.

The whole trade up to get JSN to cover the middle of the field doesn't make any sense to me, particularly when the Packers have so many needs to fill. Dalton Kincaid, and Luke Musgrave can be had significantly lower in round 1 and they too can break open for catches in the middle of the field. Trading up would be redicuulous and a waste of draft capital IMO.

Really there's no need to trade up and sacrifice the "more bites at the apple" approach. The Packers need multiple weapons at WR and TE, so Gute should just go about and collect them. If Johnston and JSN are gone, the preferred physical "specimens" will be available in the third round, as well as many smaller slot types in between. It also sort of depends on the TE's we draft as far as projected blocking skills go.

The bottom line is that we need reliable playmakers and chain movers, and whatever body type they come in is somewhat secondary at this point.

I think the question should really be how to get the most out of the WR's from last year's draft. For me, that means bringing in a seasoned veteran who can mentor them, as well as Jordan Love. A young QB, young WR's, presumably a young TE will need some guidance that a veteran could provide.

To me, it seems FA is out until roster cuts.

That leaves the draft. JSN is top of class, maybe Quentin Johnston is. Difficult to tell, as both are completely different WRs. they both bring some level of risk up that high. JSN with the hamstring. Johnston with a high drop rate.

Seems to me our needs are lesser at Slot WR with Bo Melton's signing in December, and Samori Toure a perfect slot who never got his shot last season.

Our needs appear greater outside to pair with or backup Christian Watson.

It's not a huge need area for starters in comparison to EDGE, S, TE, OL, DL. Despite that, we need to cover our bases with a quality player at the X position, while adding depth at Y & Z... Quentin Johnston early fits that X bill, but so do many others. Plus, Watson is versatile enough to work from any of the 3 WR positions. Getting both on the field at the same time would be a nightmare.

I like Rashee Rice R2-3, Cedric Tillman R3, Andrei Iosivas R5-6, Elijah Higgins R5-6, Jalen Wayne R6-7, Parker Washington R6-7, Justin Shorter R6-7, Matt Landers R7.

If JSN is their bag, fine. Doubt he even makes it to us.

Big problem with grasping what Bo Melton brings to the Packers is that he had one of the shittiest QBs in FBS at Rutgers. No WR had a higher uncatchable target rate. Despite that, he still was considered one of the best WRs in his class, especially after contact, and he's got 4.33 speed. He's versatile to play Slot, or outside as a Z. The guy can play anywhere and do very well, but no one can trust that. He's rock solid too, and brings PR experience.

I question how big the need is this year, especially in what appears to be a relatively weak WR draft class. There's some good ones to take, though, and we need depth more than anything. I'm 100% Melton can start in the Slot WR role.

Big problem with Toure (6-0 195 4.44, 6.77 3c!!!) is AR was never going to throw to him. However, Toure tore up the Big10 two years ago. Excellent natural hands catcher, body control, ball skills, YAC. Understands leverage and smooth, nuanced route runner. Manipulates DBs to gain separation. Also plays inside at slot or outside. Rock solid 3 level receiver. Gets a lot of free releases. 19.5 ypc. That's freaking big. He knows how to catch the freaking ball. Damn shame we didn't get to see that last season.

FIVE 100 yd receiving games in his last season at Nebraska.

All we really need here is depth. A Brutus like Johnston might impact coverages, freeing up Watson, et al... and vis versa. Could see Gutekunst making him a top pick. Opinions all over the place with him.

I'd just keep my powder dry to add value later, while addressing other need positions.

If we’re working with 15, 45, and 78, I’d get Johnston and Tillman, an OT at #78 (Freeland?) and then take a TE like Zach Kuntz on Day 3. Three targets.

And has a rookie WR ever come in and be an immediate difference maker? How about a TE? Can he come in and immediately help by at least being a good blocker and pick up the passing game as fast as a rookie WR?

If you want offense. You trade down.
But any WR will take away from the promise
of Last year's Rookies. If not a FA.
The TE is about going with what you have.
So it's "not" what Jordan Love needs.
But what Barry "will get" to keep his job.
The subtractions on Defense must
come from somewhere.

My hunch is to go for Darnell Washington at #15.
Is he or is he not by far the best tight end in this draft, at least as far being able to both block and catch, and at least as far as ceiling?
Is he or is he not ready to go in his rookie season as a top blocker at his position among TEs in the NFL?
Is he or is he not ready to go in his rookie season as at least a solid pass catcher who could effectively work the middle of the field, plus be dangerous in the red zone?
Does he or does he not have the potential to be elite as both a blocker and a pass catcher?
***
Washington seems at the very least a solid tight end, SEC tested, and potentially a superstar as both blocker and catcher.
He can help us significantly already in his first season, and then keep improving for the next four years of his rookie contract.
Just his size is enough to get him open boxing out defenders or going above them. He seems to have good hands. Who would want to tackle this guy rumbling down the field?
It doesn't matter if he is projected for later in the first round; if the Packers want him, and he won't be around for our second pick, then take him at #15.
We already have two young wide receivers who are highly promising in Watson and Doubs, and two others who are more untested but may be really good in Toure and Melton -- however, there's not much at TE, especially when it comes to pass catching.
It seems Washington was underutilized as a pass catcher at Georgia, and would be a steal at #15 for the Packers if they see some heart in him.

No WR in 1st is worth it. Only in 2nd if they get one or two of Jets picks. I like Rashee Rice in 2nd. I really like Mingo as well, maybe 2nd, but for sure in the dreaded 3rd. TE should be the priority with many available this year. I’m leaning toward Darnell Washington as best dual weapon.

Gil,

I agree with you in that the Packers need a possession middle of the field receiver.

Although the hamstring injury provides some hesitation, JSN's Combine scores are compelling.

Jaxon Smith-Njiba, had the best times of all positions at the 2023 NFL in the 3 cone drill where he was 6.57 vs, 6.82 for Adams in 2014 and 20 yard shuttle 3.93 vs. 4.3 for Adams in 2014 and also at Ohio State's pro day ran a faster 4.48 40 than Davante Adams' combine 4.56 40. Quentin Johnson by comparison had a 3 cone drill time of 7.31 and a 20 yard shuttle of 4.28 and a 40 yard time of 4.49 at TCU's pro day.

I would not be upset if the Packers took Darnell Washington at 15 over JSN, but none of the other tight ends. It would be great if the Packers could get JSN and still have Darnell around at pick 45, but I doubt it.

Based on the Packers 20 year history the odds of the Packers finding a 2 or more time Pro Bowl Receiver beneath round 1 is 2 out of 28 or 7.1%

And based on the same 20 year history, the probability of the Packers finding an EVEN one time Pro Bowl Receiver below round 2 is ZERO.

The Packers drafted 28 receivers between 2003 and 2022, only 2 of the 28 selected made multiple pro bowls and both of those were selected in the 2nd round, Jennings (2 pro bowls) and Davante (6 pro bowls) and Davante had much better catch %'s with Aaron throwing to him than Derek Carr. Jordy also made 1 pro bowl and Cobb 1 pro bowl. Aaron's made all Packer receivers look better.

The other 24 Receivers disappeared and you mostly have long forgotten them or not ever heard of them after draft day:

The Packers have drafted 28 WRs over the last 20 years:
Yr, rnd, pick

1) Carl Ford 2003, 7, 255
2) DeAndrews Rubin 2003, 7, 256
3) Craig Bragg 2005, 6, 195
4) Terrence Murphy 2005, 2, 58
5) Greg Jennings 2006, 2, 52
6) Cory Rodgers 2006, 4, 194
7) Will Blackmon WR/CB 2006, 4, 115
8) James Jones 2007, 3, 78
9) David Clowney 2007, 5, 157
10) Jordy Nelson 2008, 2, 36
11) Brett Swain 2008, 7, 217
12) Randall Cobb 2011, 2, 64
13) Charles Johnson 2013, 7, 2016
14 Kevin Dorsey 2013, 7, 224
15) Davante Adams 2014, 2, 53
16) Jared Abbbrederis 2014, 5, 176
17) Jeff Janis 2014, 7, 236
18) Ty Montgomery 2015, 3, 94
19) Trevor Davis 2016, 5, 165
20) DeAngelo Yancy 2017, 5, 175
21) Malachi Dupre 2017, 7, 247
22) J'Mon Moore 2018, 4, 133
23) Marquez Valdes-Scantling 2018, 5, 174
24) Equanimeous St. Brown 2018, 6, 207
25) Amari Rodgers 2021, 3, 85
26) Christian Watson 2022, 2, 34
27) Romeo Doubs 2022, 4, 132
28) Samori Toure 2022, 7, 258

Edge Lukas Van Ness at #15
TE Darnell Washington at #42 (from the Jets)
TE Luke Musgrave at #45
WR A.T.Perry at #78

You get a top flight pass rusher, a superb blocking TE and an excellent pass catching TE to re-make a barren position group. Then you add the smartest WR around to complete the receivers upgrade.

No safety yet, as it is a poor year for them. Maybe trade up to get Jordan Battle or Chris Smith later in round three or take J'Ayir Brown in the fourth.

After that, look for the best place for a value pick at RB, probably round 5. You now have one more 5th rounder and four round 7 picks (and priority undrafted FAs) to add at least one o lineman (they get one every year), a fast LB or Safety (mostly for STs), a kicker, a developmental QB and maybe a big NT.

There are few players in this draft graded top 15. IMO receiver isn’t one of them.

When they get #42 (and hopefully #43 too) for trading Rodgers, they draft Cedric Tillman at #42 and then get Sam Laporta at #45. Pick up a couple guys like Will Mallory and/or Jonathan Mingo later in the draft for depth. Problem solved. Everyone of those guys are perfect fits for what the Packers are doing. As for their 1st rounder, I hope they trade down and get Mazi Smith. The 320 pound nose tackle version of Rashan Gary. I wouldnt be mad if we took him at #15 tbh. A true nose tackle is something they havent had since Raji. Clark isnt a true nose. Not really. But Mazi Smith absolutely could be. You want to be a bully and stop the run? Get that guy. You want to free up Clark from getting double and triple teamed? Get that guy.

I decided to do a TE heavy and BPA mock with lots and lots of trading back. Not sure what I think of it. That's where you folks come in I guess as I don't post my mocks..like...pretty much ever.
25. Michael Mayer
TE Notre Dame
43. Calijah Kancey
DT Pittsburgh
45. Felix Anudike-Uzomah
EDGE Kansas State
54. Jack Campbell
LB Iowa
68. Cody Mauch
OT North Dakota State
78. A.T. Perry
WR Wake Forest
85. Zack Kuntz ( Reach with massive redzone upside)
TE Old Dominion
116. Mohamoud Diabate
LB Utah
149. Luke Schoonmaker
TE Michigan
170. Jakorian Bennett
CB Maryland
224. Deneric Prince
RB Tulsa
225. Jake Moody
K Michigan

I have been saying it and will continue to say it because it just doesn't seem to be hitting home for most of you! This is also why I know Gutey will not trade up for a WR like JSN.

The mistake I believe most everyone here keeps making are the Packers need WR's, & TE's, but everyone lumps the move TE's with the inline TE's. I strongly believe Gutey is looking very hard at turning receiving TE's who can run like Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Zach Kuntz into power/big slot WR's. Where they can use their size/strength/reach to block out and out muscle the smaller defensive players. No longer do slot WR's have to be those smaller quick & twitchy receivers. Musgrave, Kincaid, Kuntz will not normally play a traditional TE in the Packer offense. I believe the power/big slot WR will be taken high in the draft, and the inline TE (unless it is Washington) will be drafted later in the draft. Look for guys like Kincaid/Musgrave high in round 1 or 2, and then start looking at the really good blocking inline TE's and you can figure one of them will be drafted later in the draft. With the WR's being a less than stellar year for this position group in the draft.....look for Gutey taking one of these players and converting them to a power/big slot WR's. Find it exciting!!!