NFL mock draft 2023: Packers 7-round post-Combine projection with an Aaron Rodgers trade

Blake Freeland might be needed badly by the Packers in 2023 and beyond

Yes, we’re about to talk about the Packers offensive line, which has been quite strong for several years, even as they’ve been forced to deal with injuries.

On Wednesday, though, the idea was floated that there’s a chance that longtime left tackle David Bakhtiari could be part of the Aaron Rodgers trade to the Jets, which might be part of the hold-up. That would be fine if the team knew that Yosh Nijman was going to still be around, but as he’s about to become a restricted free agent, that’s not guaranteed either.

Now, Green Bay does have options. Elgton Jenkins has been a truly elite guard since he was drafted in 2019 but he has also performed well above average when injuries have forced him to spend time at tackle. Thus, they could potentially look to an interior lineman and move Jenkins to tackle if both Bakhtiari and Nijman are gone.

However, Blake Freeland fell to them in this 2023 NFL mock draft and we’re not passing that opportunity up.

Freeland was a standout at the Combine this past weekend, proving that he’s a more than adequate athlete and that he has the film that shows solid technique to back it up. Granted, jumping from BYU to the NFL will be an adjustment, but getting a potential starting caliber left tackle in the third round is an absolute steal for the Pack.

Round 1 | Round 2 | Rounds 6-7