The 2022 NFL season is upon us. While everybody is dreaming of the Green Bay Packers bringing the Lombardi Trophy home, I’m currently wondering who the Packers will take in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The 2023 NFL Draft is currently 232 days away. With week one about to kick off, it’s time for the first mock draft of the season. The Packers’ draft slot is based on my season predictions. Here are the Packers results from my first mock of the season. It will be the first of many until April 27.
30th pick: JL Skinner, S, Boise State
Depending on what happens with Adrian Amos’ contract, the Packers could be in the market for a safety early in the 2023 draft. Luckily for the Gutekunst and the Packers, this year’s safety class is talented.
Enter JL Skinner. The Boise State safety packs a punch and flies downhill looking for the kill shot. He’s a tone-setter that plays with great range and physicality.
“JL’s greatest strengths are his length and range,” Ron Counts, the Boise State beat writer for the Idaho Statesman said. “He’s every bit of 6-foot-4 and he put on about 10 pounds in the past year to get up to 220. He was all over the field in coverage last season and really improved as a tackler as the season went on. He also evolved into a big hitter. If he shows more improvement as a tackler and gets his hands on a couple more interceptions this year, he could hear his name called early in the draft.”
In Boise State’s season opener against Oregon State, Skinner recorded 12 tackles and a tip-drill interception. He did give up a touchdown in coverage to Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave.
#BoiseState S JL Skinner kicked off the 2022 season with 12 tackles and an INT.
At 6'4", 220lbs, Skinner is the next big, long-limbed, safety prospect that will get everyone's imagination running wild. pic.twitter.com/Y2vQ5N1Jyi
— Steve Frederick (@SteveFrederick_) September 6, 2022
62nd pick: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Will David Bakhtiari make it through the season? Even if he does, the Packers may need to start thinking about life after Bakhtiari, who will be 31 at the end of September.
Harrison started 12 games at left tackle for the Sooners last season and started at right tackle for the Sooners in their season opener on Saturday against UTEP.
At 6-5, 315 pounds, Harrison has an ideal frame for the position. He has the foot quickness and lower body flexibility to mirror edge rushers in pass protection. According to PFF, Harrison ranked in the Top Five among Big 12 offensive tackles in both pass-blocking and run-blocking.
Oklahoma's Anton Harrison has an 83.6 Pass Blocking Grade since 2020…
2nd among Big 12 Tackles ⭕ pic.twitter.com/O54jtYsWz1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 10, 2022
Bakhtiari and Jenkins could be the starting offensive tackles for the Packers for the foreseeable future, but a team can never have enough depth at tackle. Enter Harrison.
