There are a lot of intriguing, young, talented players on the Green Bay Packers roster heading into the 2023 season. Some of them are going to be thrust into prime-time roles right from the start, giving them a chance to showcase their talents right out of the gate.
With so many inexperienced players expected to fill major roles, there will be a few bumps in the road along the way. However, if the Packers end up having two players competing for spots on the All-Rookie Teams this year, they will be happy about that.
Over at CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso made his preseason predictions for the All-Rookie teams and two Packers were mentioned among his selections. The first is a surprise honorable mention at the tight end position.
While many people would assume that second-round pick Luke Musgrave would have been the pick, instead it was third-round pick Tyler Kraft. Both possess excellent pass-catching skills but need to prove that they can block at this level before landing a prominent role in the offense. Trapasso believes Kraft will be the one to figure it out first.
“When it comes to Packers rookie tight ends, I dig Kraft more than Luke Musgrave, and while the latter will probably be given a chance first to star in the Jordan Love offense, Kraft is more flexible with more threatening YAC capabilities and power. There are a lot of young, hungry mouths to feed in Green Bay. Kraft will eventually work his way near the top of the target pecking order for Love.”
The second player to make the list is on the defensive side of the ball. No, it isn’t first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. The versatile defensive lineman just missed out on being a selection of Trapasso’s as he believes the Packers will end up taking the same path they did with Rashan Gary, working him in slowly.
Instead, it is fourth-round pick Colby Wooden out of Auburn. Trapasso believes that he will be a Second Team All-Rookie member at the defensive tackle position.
“Wooden is the ideal Packers inside-out defensive lineman. His relentless motor, lead-pipe arms, and block-shedding ability will catalyze a surprising rookie campaign in Green Bay.”
There is a big need along the defensive line for someone to step up in Green Bay. Outside of Kenny Clark, there isn’t a player with a set-in-stone role on that unit. 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt will certainly get first crack, but Wooden has a chance to make an impact right away for the Packers in Year 1.
