With the 15th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select…

After three straight 13-win seasons, the Packers find themselves under .500 and with a top 15 draft selection for the first time since 2019. That year they selected Rashan Gary at 12, and then snagged Darnell Savage at 21. This year, they not only select at 15, but may also land another first rounder, or additional early picks in a deal with the Jets for Aaron Rodgers. As we stand today though, that 15th overall pick is one that will need to be an impact player for the next half decade, or hopefully longer.

The talking heads have thrown out every potential offensive weapon for Green Bay to take mid-way through the first. A trio of tight ends, Dalton Kincaid (6'4, 246), Michael Mayer (6'4, 249) and Darnell Washington (6'7, 264) would meet a major need and provide an offensive weapon to an inexperienced quarterback. Despite investing heavily at the WR position in 2022, the Packers could also pursue someone who has great hands and runs excellent routes, such as Jaxson Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State or go with a physical specimen in Quentin Johnson (6'4, 210 with 4.40 speed). With Aaron Jones potentially being in his final year in Green Bay, they could even consider Bijan Robinson, who may be the best RB product we have seen in several years.

While the fans may love these picks, I do not. Green Bay is not winning a Championship in 2023. But if they have something real in Love, and can extend him after a productive season, then we open a new window where players drafted this year could be a part of something special. For that reason, I think the Packers should look at meeting a major need: Offensive Tackle.

David Bakhtiari turns 32 at the start of the season. He has had multiple surgeries and clean-ups on his knee. Despite a $19M dead cap number for 2024, the Packers are likely going to have to part ways after the 2023 season, or face a $40M cap hit in 2024, or another restructure for an aging offensive tackle. While Green Bay can continue to try shifting players like Zach Tom, Eglton Jenkins, and Yosh Nijman into various positions on the line, they have very little behind their current starters. Rasheed Walker, a 7th round selection in 2022, could one day develop into a RT option, but the blind side has no one as the true successor to DB.

Drafting a talented tight end or wide receiver at 15 won't mean squat if Jordan Love is taking half a dozen sacks a game.

A few offensive linemen have been discussed at the top of the draft, but at 15 my hopes reside squarely on the mighty shoulder of Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. Johnson had a successful career at Ohio State, and truly came into full bloom in his final season. He started 13 games at LT and finished with AP 2nd team and Big Ten 1st team accolades. His measurements are through the roof. PJ measured in at 6'6 and 313 pounds at the combine, but that isn't his biggest appeal. With an arm length of 36 1/8 inches, his overall wingspan is 85.75 inches!

Compare this to some of the best in the business: Trent Williams combine results were 6'4 1/2, 315 with an arm length of 34.25 inches; our own David Bakhtiari fell short of Williams in all three categories. And maybe more important is how he compares to another top tier draft prospect: Peter Skoronski. A beast out of Northwestern, Skoronski is 6'4, 313 but his arms are a full 4 inches shorter than Johnsons. Johnson's arms are so long, he would be in the top 35 NFL players of all time in that measure. But long arms didn't keep him from maxing out with 29 reps on the bench press, good enough for 6th this year, and only one fewer than Skoronski.

By drafting a beast like PJ in the first, the Packers will feel more comfortable about reaching for WRs, TEs, or other weapons on day 2, knowing they have a plan in place for protecting their QB for years to come.

In the short term, The Packers could install PJ several places on the line. He started 13 games at RG his sophomore season, and the Packers have both Runyan and Nijman on contracts that expire after this season. Testing out various packages makes sense, but given the health of Bakhtiari, PJ may be called upon to play LT at some point during the year.

We have been told for years that Matt Lefleur wants to run an offense built more like the Niners and less like what they have had with Aaron Rodgers. This is going to mean a better run game, short and quick passes, and keeping the QB upright. Paris Johnson would be the perfect addition to a line that has shown signs of greatness when healthy, but also needs to plan for the future and potentially the loss of its senior member.

With the 15th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select, Paris Johnson, Jr.