Packers predicted to make confusing pick in ESPN mock draft

The Green Bay Packers have been very quiet when it comes to offense in free agency. Until the situation with Aaron Rodgers is resolved, as he wants to be traded to the New York Jets, Green Bay will remain at a standstill.

If the Packers have their way in negotiations, they will have multiple picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That would be the second consecutive year that they would have that luxury, and it would present the team with a great chance to start building the roster back up. Right now, they are slated to select No. 15.

The team could go in a number of different directions with that selection. The Packers have a few needs on the roster that persist regardless of the quarterback situation. Wide receiver, tight end and safety are arguably their biggest needs, but surprisingly, that isn’t the direction that Mel Kiper Jr. has them going in with his recent mock draft.

With the 15th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Kiper believes the Packers are going to select Lukas Van Ness, a defensive lineman out of Iowa. While the need for a pass rusher does exist with Rashan Gary recovering from an ACL tear, it is certainly an odd direction to go in given how much help they need at other positions on the roster.

Van Ness does have the versatility to play all along the offensive line, so he would certainly help their defense. Last season, Green Bay was 28th in yards per play allowed and yards per carry allowed. Improving on that number would certainly be ideal and Van Ness would definitely.

But it would be a tough sell to the fans to select another defensive lineman after using one of their two first-round picks on a defensive lineman, Devonte Wyatt, in the 2022 NFL Draft. Van Ness would certainly provide a boost to their defensive line, but with so many pressing needs on the roster, selecting another one would certainly be an eyebrow-raising move.