beast
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a year ago

The Green Bay Packers selected 13 players in the 2023 NFL Draft as GM Brian Gutekunst tried to surround new starting quarterback Jordan Love with more talent for his first season as an NFL starter.

Many of these draft picks will get playing time right away as the Packers are now a young team. In fact, there are only four players on the current roster who will be 30 or older when the 2023 NFL season gets underway in September.

But which of these players is the most likely to have the biggest impact this season? This is not about who will be the best player over the long haul but who will play and help the team the most as a rookie.

Here is a look at five top candidates:

5. K Anders Carlson
Maybe it’s cheating to count a kicker on this list but if he wins the kicking job, Carlson could have a big impact on the Packers season.

Winning close games will be important for a young team to learn and if Carlson comes through with some game-winning kicks his impact could be significant.

Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is also hoping Carlson can improve the Packers performance on kickoffs and create more touchbacks than the now departed Mason Crosby.


4. TE Tucker Kraft
Kraft is the second tight end the Packers drafted this year, but he and fellow rookie Luke Musgrave will be counted on to contribute right away. The key question may be which of the two learns the playbook and feels comfortable in the offense sooner.

Tight ends usually take a long time to adjust to the NFL as they must learn pass patterns and how to block on running plays. Will Kraft be the faster learner? If he is, he can make significant contributions as a rookie.


3. Edge Lukas Van Ness
Van Ness has looked the part in OTAs and is drawing praise from the coaching staff and teammates for his speed, size, and athleticism. Of course, OTAs are non-contact so there’s only so much we can learn from them.

With Rashan Gary still rehabbing his season-ending knee injury from a year ago, Van Ness has the chance to see more action early in the season and stake a claim to more playing time.

The key for Van Ness will be to develop some additional pass rush moves and to improve his technique. That will be a process, but if he can show enough in training camp and the preseason, Van Ness has a chance to play significant snaps as a rookie.


2.  WR Jayden Reed
The Packers drafted Reed to be their slot receiver and his size and skill set are a good fit at that position. The former Michigan State star is the favorite to start in the slot and that will give him a significant number of snaps as a rookie.

With Christian Watson likely to draw double coverage and Romeo Doubs likely to get plenty of attention from opposing defenses, that could open things up for Reed.

Love is also likely to throw more to the middle of the field than Aaron Rodgers did and LaFleur may run plays to scheme Reed open over the middle as well.

These factors could give Reed more opportunities to catch the football this season.


1. TE Luke Musgrave
Second-round pick Luke Musgrave is the favorite to be the Packers primary pass catching tight end this season and his size and athleticism have been on display thus far at OTAs.

The Oregon State alum has the potential to be the Packers most dangerous downfield receiving threat at tight end since Jermichael Finley’s career was cut short by injury in 2013.

Rookie tight ends don’t often have an immediate impact. Last year, Trey McBride of Arizona was the first tight end selected in the second round and he finished his rookie season with 29 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown catch in 16 games.

In 2021, first round pick Kyle Pitts of the Falcons was an exception to the rule as he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one score and went to the Pro Bowl.

The Packers would be pleased if Musgrave and Kraft combine for the numbers Pitts put up two years ago.

Musgrave is currently the favorite to have the biggest impact among Packers rookies in 2023.  

Continue Reading @ CheeseheadTV 

CheeseheadTV wrote:




In what order do you think the rookies will be helpful their rookie years?
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Mucky Tundra
a year ago
1.  Luke Musgrave: almost wins this by default. With no established traditional TE on the roster, Musgrave will most likely get all the chances to be the #1 guy. Rookie TEs usually don't do much but there's not much choice with what's currently on the roster (Davis being a ST guy and DeGuara an H-back type). To not sound too doom and gloom but the MLF offense needs a pass catching body in the middle and Musgrave has all the tools to succeed (though you might want to avert your eyes at his blocking).

2. Jayden Reed: similar to Musgrave, he gets this by default since Reed will most likely be the primary slot receiver with Cobb and Amari Rodgers gone. And similar to Musgrave, Reed looks like he has the tools to succeed at the slot and looks like an aggressive player on offense. 

3. Lukas van Ness: Should get plenty of chances to rush the QB. Even with Gary hurt, GB still has Smith, Enagbare and Hollins at EDGE so he may only play situationally at times.

4. Dontayvion Wicks: Is he the big play WR from 2021 (1203 yards 21.1 ypc with 9 TDS) or the drop prone WR from 2022 that underperformed (new offensive scheme or a regression to the mean)? If it's the former, than Wicks could thrive as a #3 this year. 

5. Anthony Johnson: 7th rounders usually don't make an impact their rookie season but Johnson might be an exception. In a S room filled with ST bodies, JAGs and a disappointing 1st rounder, the CB who converted to S his last college season might have the most potential in the room. 

6. Tucker Kraft: similar to Musgrave, will most likely see snaps on offense thanks to a depletion of talent. In contrast to Musgrave, Kraft will most likely make a mark as a blocker this season while working on his receiving chops.

7. Karl Brooks: similar to TE, rookie defensive lineman usually don't make an impact but a lack of established depth behind Clark, Wyatt and Slaton means that Brooks will have opportunities to crave out a role. With size, long arms and good hand use, Brooks could become a solid rotation rookie. 

8. Colby Wooden: similar to Brooks, will have opportunities thanks to the lack of established depth. In contrast to Brooks, Wooden is lighter and lacks Brooks arm length and played inside and out in college. Is he an undersize inside guy? Will he bulk up and play outside? Might end up being a tweener who excels at nothing. 

9. Carrington Valentine: talented CB who needs polish. With Alexander, Douglas and Nixon ahead of him and Stokes working his way back from an injury, snaps might be hard to come by. That said, Nixon is on the team primarily for his return skills, so there might be a chance to work as a dime CB.

10. Lew Nichols: there's a spot for a #3 RB on the depth chart if he can beat out Goodsen. Will need to show something on ST most likley.

11. Grant DuBose: big talented receiver that played at a small school. Could have a shot at contributing as a #6 WR/ST guy.

12. Anders Carlson: inconsistent in college. Needs a ton of work. Might not even make the roster? (also stuck him here partly to be contrarian to beast having him at #5 on his list). 

13. Sean Clifford: if he's having an impact on the field, than Love is either hurt or totally sucks. Preferably, he makes an impact off the field in the film room helping Love. 
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beast
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a year ago

12. Anders Carlson: inconsistent in college. Needs a ton of work. Might not even make the roster? (also stuck him here partly to be contrarian to beast having him at #5 on his list). 

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra 



Just to be clear, that's the article writers list, not mine.

I wasn't going to waste time doing one unless others found it interesting and did some of their own.

As you pointed out, a common theme will be positions that have a lack of depth that might allow rookies to get more opportunities early.

That being said, if I were to make a list, and this might be crazy based on depth component previously mentioned, but I MIGHT put Van Ness as my #1 as it sounds like he's working himself into rolling with the #1s already, and he's more athletic than Engebare and more physical than Smith, and while the offensive players have to learn an entirely new playbook, and offensive players a new QB, Van Ness just has new terms to learn and he's basically going to be one on one doing the same exact thing he has in past years.
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Zero2Cool
a year ago
I'll go with WR Jayden Reed. Main reason is I think he'll have a niche role in offense and probably a contributor on special teams alleviating Keisean Nixon to do more on defense where I think he'll be needed. And by needed, I'm saying I think Reed can give the team the spark that Nixon did to a degree, but Nixon time on defense will be more valuable.
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Mucky Tundra
a year ago

12. Anders Carlson: inconsistent in college. Needs a ton of work. Might not even make the roster? (also stuck him here partly to be contrarian to beast having him at #5 on his list). 

Originally Posted by: beast 



Just to be clear, that's the article writers list, not mine.

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra 



Whoops! I guess my brain went from beast quoting an article to it's beasts list 😅
“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”
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"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers
nerdmann
a year ago
Anders Carlson should be the man, but I'm taking van Ness. Rookies at offensive skill positions need some time to develop, more so than guys on D.

And kickers don't count!
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beast
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a year ago
To rank my list...

1) Lukas Van Ness: Maybe I'm wrongly buying into the hype train, but despite depth at OLB, I'm thinking Van Ness might heavily be in the rotation from day 1. And that's with or without Gary in the lineup. Might even be a starter if Gary isn't in the lineup.

​​​​​2) Tucker Kraft: Why? Blocking, and being well rounded, and willing and able to do a lot of the dirty work that we won't pick up on enough, but makes a big impact for others. I believe Kraft might be the Lewis long term replacement which was an extremely valuable role. Though maybe a bad pick for impact this early, as they'll probably be giving the vet TEs shots to fill the role as they know the scheme better. 

3) Luke Musgrave: Simply put, no one else has the size and speed that he does, so I'm theory he'll get more opportunities. BUT in four years, he's only played 9 games once. And despite that great size and speed, only one season catching more than 170 yards, only one season catching 60% of the passes throw his way, and despite elite potential and upside, he only has two career touchdowns. Musgrave absolutely has elite potential, but he also has not yet been able to play up to that potential. Hopefully he can change that with the Packers.

4) Jayden Reed: Some don't like him as a deep threat, and watching his film I do question the great 40 yard time the Packers supposedly timed him at, as I don't think he plays that straight line speed fast on film. BUT watching his quick cuts gave me some flash backs to Greg Jennings and seeing a ton of great intermediate and middle routes like Cobb. Reed has the quick cut skills unlike any other WR we currently have, I don't know if he'll be ready right away, as those slot guys need to build some QB chemistry up after learning the system, but he could become a 1st down machine and often be schemed open by LaFleaur once they get everything on the same page.
​​​​​
5) Anders Carlson: He's the only kicker on the entire roster... so maybe he should be #1, as of he makes the team, he's absolutely going to make an impact, weather it's good or bad is yet to be seen.

6) Colby Wooden: Absolutely a tweener, not athletic enough for the edge, not heavy enough or able to abel double teams inside. Wooden's only full time role is a quick/physical one gap at the 3 tech, which the starter spot will be filled by Wyatt. But Wooden is a heavy handed, physical in one on one situations penetrating 3-4 DE.

Which has me wondering if the Packers might be considering keeping 3 DL on the field more often and being more attacking upfront, with something like Gary, Wyatt, Slaton, Clark, Smith as the defensive front. And these rookies and Engebare rotating in. Wooden would be backing up Wyatt and Clark. This gets the guys in more one on one situations and lets them pin their ears back and  attack more... though should they screw up, the there is less help to clean up errors. Higher rewards potential, but come with higher risk. If we're not doing something like this, then why all the light pass rushers that obviously can't two gap? I don't think you need that much depth for one penetrating DT role, which is why I'm thinking we might see more two DT penetrating roles with a NT in the middle. But this is totally assuming and guessing.

7) Karl Brooks: 300 lbs that played 4-3 DE (and some 3-4 OLB) in college, as he stayed on the outside as an edge rusher, and will need to transition to being an interior guy. He has absolutely great pass rushing develop for a 300lber, but at the same point, surprising bad run defense for that size. I think he might be able to be a pass rush specialist early on, but will need more time for the tradition to the inside for run defense. 

8) Carrington Valentine: Speed and tracks the run well and likes to hit, very well might be a ST ace from day 1, even if he's not getting much playing time on defense.

9) Anthony Johnson: I think too many are expecting too much out of 7th round rookie. Yes he appears to have good potential... but other CB/S tweeners got drafted much sooner than he did. Also Johnson is new to the position, new the NFL, new to the team, new to the Scheme and Packers have 5 NFL veteran Safeties, which have mostly have started at least 12 games in the NFL and multiple years in the NFL. He might be great in the future, but I'm not sure we'll see much of him as a rookie.

10) Dontayvion Wicks: Lots of drops has me worried, as does lack of good timed speed, and not having his routes more developed. I'm just concerned Wicks might be a multiple year project.

11) Sean Clifford: Backup QB.

12) Lew Nichols: Top 2 RB spots are taken and looks like an interesting battle for the 3rd spot, but he might have a harder time making the team.

13) Grant DuBose: 100% a project, but looks like he has some great tools to work with... I think Gute might try to redshirt him as a rookie, as he, he makes the 53 man roster, but he's benched every week.
 
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