Top NFL Draft Prospects Packers Must Watch During CFB Bowl Season
Football in December and January for the Green Bay Packers usually means tracking playoff scenarios and the chase for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. This year, the attention of the organization and its fans might be better served preparing for the 2023 NFL draft.
There's no question the 2022 season has been an unmitigated disaster for the Packers.
A team with Super Bowl aspirations after a dramatic offseason finds itself at 5-8 and all but eliminated from playoff contention.
The upside is that the Packers will have an earlier selection to aid in their rebounding efforts from this campaign. If the draft were held today, the Packers would be on the clock with the 11th selection, per Tankathon.
With college football bowl season upon us, some of the candidates for the Packers to take early in the draft will be putting their skills on display for the last time in a college uniform. Here are three the Packers should have an eye on.
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
The Packers are notoriously defensive-minded when it comes to picking in the first round. Outside of Jordan Love, they haven't taken an offensive player since drafting Derek Sherrod in 2011.
However, this season might change that mindset. The offense has struggled to reach its pre-2022 levels, and Aaron Rodgers' play has dropped off at 39 years old. Whether he's the quarterback next year or not, it's clear the Packers have to upgrade the weapons around the team's passer.
Drafting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in the 2022 draft were good steps. Doubs hauled in 31 passes for 314 yards in nine games before a high ankle sprain took him out of the lineup. Watson has come on strong over the second half of the season with seven touchdowns and 401 yards.
The 6'5", 208-pounder is proving to be a big-bodied downfield threat who Rodgers can rely on.
TCU's Quentin Johnston fits that same mold. At 6'4", 215 pounds, he has the size to bully smaller cornerbacks. He has proved to be a big-play threat for the Horned Frogs, averaging 18.7 yards per catch over three seasons.
Now he'll get to the chance to prove himself to NFL talent evaluators on the grand stage of the College Football Playoff. He'll take on a Michigan defense that is ranked fifth in yards allowed per pass attempt.
If Johnston shows out in that spot, forming a trio of Doubs, Watson and Johnston would be even more appealing.
Edge Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
When the Packers defense was at its best, it had a pass-rushing trio of Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary.
Gary started out as the rotational pass-rusher of the three on a rookie contract. He slowly developed into a three-down player who made it possible for the Packers to allow Za'Darius Smith to walk.
Now Preston Smith is 30 years old and the Packers are in need of that third edge rusher with the upside to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player. That's what Gary has become, and he needs a sidekick to hunt quarterbacks with for the future.
So with the Packers' penchant for going defense in the first, it's worth keeping an eye on pass-rushers who could be available around No. 11.
Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey figures to be in the mix. The 6'5", 265-pound defender has the length to bother tackles with his pass-rush moves but the strength to set the edge and be stout against the run.
Foskey has yet to make a decision on whether he'll play in Notre Dame's bowl game. Head coach Marcus Freeman said he is giving tight end Michael Mayer and Foskey the week to consider whether they want to play in the bowl game.
The Irish are slated to play in the Gator Bowl against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Spencer Rattler just orchestrated back-to-back upsets of Tennessee and Clemson.
If Foskey plays, he will be key to Notre Dame's effort to slow down the former top quarterback.
OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
The Packers are an organization that has done a tremendous job building offensive line depth. Over the last two seasons, they've been forced to play multiple combinations up front because of injuries.
They've still managed to have good protection. They have the sixth-lowest pressure percentage allowed this season. They are clearing lanes in the run game, too. They average more than three yards before contact.
Building that kind of offensive line requires continued investment. Using their first-round pick on a player like Paris Johnson Jr. would certainly qualify. Johnson has the versatility the Packers seem to prioritize on the offensive line.
They drafted Zach Tom in 2022 in part because he had the ability to play center, guard and tackle. Johnson has established his draft stock by playing right guard in 2021 and has looked elite sliding out to left tackle this season.
He's given up just one sack on the perimeter this season after allowing none at right guard last season, per PFF.
Johnson draws a vital matchup in the College Football Playoff. He'll be charged with keeping C.J. Stroud clean against a Georgia defensive front that features plenty of future NFL talent.