Packers Draft Tracker: Day 3

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The Packers wrap up the NFL Draft on Saturday with the bulk of their draft picks in the final four rounds. Brian Gutekunst has nine picks to work with at the start of day three, which ties the 2000 draft for the most in Packers history.

Follow along below for a breakdown of each draft pick throughout the day:

Fourth Round (116) - DL Colby Wooden - Auburn

Gutekunst chose to solidify his defensive front by picking Colby Wooden out of Auburn. Green Bay has a need along the defensive line after Dean Lowry left for the Vikings in free agency. Wooden was considered to be a second or third round prospect that fell to day three. A three-year starter at Auburn, Wooden was highly productive during his college career and finished with 15 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in three seasons. That includes a career high six sacks last year.

Measuring at 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds, Wooden played both defensive tackle and outside linebacker but had most of his success playing in the interior.

Fifth Round (149) - QB Sean Clifford - Penn State

The trade to send Aaron Rodgers to the Jets and Jordan Love taking over as the starting quarterback dominated the offseason for the Packers. It also left Green Bay a little thin in the quarterback room with just Love and Danny Etling heading into the offseason program. Gutekunst choosing to add more depth to that room as well on day three by picking quarterback Sean Clifford out of Penn State. A four year starter for the Nitany Lions, Clifford is known more for his leadership abilities than his passing skills. Clifford still finished with 24 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes last season.

Fifth Round (159) - WR Dontayvion Wicks - Virginia

The Packers adding another weapon for Jordan Love in the fifth round by selecting wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks at 159. Wicks suffered a season ending injury in 2020, but came back to set the Cavaliers’ program record for receiving yards a year later. Wicks started two games last season and finished with just 430 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wicks’ best skill might be his ability to go up and get a ball in the air. The 6-foot-1-inch 206 pound wide out had a 39 inch vertical jump at the combine, and ran a 4.62 40-yard dash.

Sixth Round (179) - DT Karl Brooks - Bowling Green

Gutekunst adding another defensive lineman on day three of the draft. At 6-foot-3-inches and 303 pounds, Brooks definitely has the space to eat up space in the middle of the defensive line. Brooks finished his final year at Bowling Green with ten sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Draft analysts like his quickness off the snap and technique as a pass rusher. The size of a a three-technique defensive lineman, but also the athleticism to play multiple spots along the defensive line. Brooks was projected as a late round pick and could evolve into a three down player in the NFL.

Sixth Round (207) - K Anders Carlson - Auburn

Probably not a good sign for a potential Mason Crosby return in 2023. That’s with the Packers draft kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round. Carlson made 12 of his 17 field goal attempts and all 22 of his extra points last season after returning from a torn ACL. The Tigers’ kickoff specialist had 138 touchbacks on 314 kicks during his career. Just in case you were wondering, Crosby was also a sixth pick back in 2007.

Seventh Round (232) - CB Carrington Valentine - Kentucky

The seventh round is often when teams pick up players with a lot of upside. The Packers this year continuing to focus on needs with their final picks. That includes Carrington Valentine, who provides more depth at cornerback as Eric Stokes works his way back from a season ending knee/ankle injury. Valentine has good traits for an NFL corner, but still needs to work on zone coverage. Valentine had one interception with ten pass break-ups in his final season with Kentucky in 2022.

Seventh Round (235) - RB Lew Nichols III - Central Michigan

Gutekunst also adding a new face to the running back room in the seventh round. Last season the team parted ways with former late round pick Kylin Hill. Lew Nichols was one of the top running backs in the country in 2021 after rushing for 1,848 yards and 16 touchdowns. His production fell off a big in 2022 with just 616 yards and six scores as he was sidelined due to an injury for three games. At 5-foot-10 inches Nichols adds another well built back to go alongside A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones.

Seventh Round (242) - S Anthony Johnson Jr. - Iowa State

Safety is certainly an area of need for the Packers this offseason with Adrian Amos still out there as a free agent. Gutekunst adding more depth to that group by picking Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round. Originally projected to be a fifth round pick, Johnson slid down in the draft before the Packers scooped him up at pick 242. Johnson played primarily cornerback at Iowa State before making the switch to safety. He has good physical traits and physicality, according to draft analysts, that should help him make the transition. Johnson started all 12 games for the Cycoles at safety last season, and finished with two interceptions and four pass break-ups to go along with 60 tackles in 2022.

Seventh Round (256) - WR Grant DuBose - Charlotte

The Packers adding a seventh round wide receiver for the second straight year. Grant Dubosse, a rather raw wide receiver prospect according to analysts, has plenty of good physical traits that could help him develop in the NFL. DuBosse ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the Combine and posted a 35 inch vertical to go along with his catching radius. DuBosse hauled in 63 catches for 787 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games for Charlotte in 2022.

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