This is going to sound strange, but the Houston Texans will probably shape who the Green Bay Packers end up drafting in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. And as it turns out, the best wide receiver might just drop to them.
That wide receiver would be Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Most mock drafts have him going between the 10th and 15th pick, and Green Bay currently sits at No. 15. But Green Bay could take a number of different paths. Could the Packers go unsexy and draft a solid offensive lineman? Of course. Should they take an edge rusher to add to their depth? Absolutely. A tight end makes a whole lot of sense, too. They also need all the safeties.
Taking a wide receiver sends a message. It means the team wants weapons for their starting quarterback. Technically, that’s still Aaron Rodgers. Come Week 1 though, it should be Jordan Love. Would that be absolutely insulting to Rodgers after not taking a receiver in the first round for basically two decades? Maybe. But it doesn’t mean they don’t need an impact receiver right now. Your goal in the draft is to take the best player available who can eventually help your team win the Super Bowl. The issue is whether or not Smith-Njigba is still there at pick No. 15.
Let’s break down a few ways this could happen.
Packers Draft A Receiver After Texans Trade Back
The host of Good Morning Football, Peter Schrager, had a recent mock draft at NFL.com and has Green Bay taking Smith-Njigba. If the Indianapolis Colts were worried the Texans want a quarterback and have someone in mind, they could trade with Houston and swap picks No. 2 and 4 and give the Texans an extra pick.
After their selection, the Texans could still grab someone at No. 4 or 12. Hendon Hooker or Will Levis will probably still be available. From there, the Packers would only have to wait a few more sports to grab Smith-Njigba. The New York Jets and the New England Patriots stand in their way, though. Both could use another wide receiver, although the Jets less so than the Pats and Green Bay. New York just signed Allen Lazard and traded away Elijah Moore because of their current depth.
The Patriots are also pretty set at receiver. It’s definitely not as big of a need for them as the Packers. New England already has J.J. Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, and Kendrick Bourne. They also need a lot more depth at several other positions. The Texans could use a wide receiver like Smith-Njigba and are in the perfect spot for taking him. Trading down and not drafting a quarterback first would be the perfect set up for Green Bay to take him instead, though. And that isn’t out of the question. Like I said, the Texans hold a lot of cards that will decide what the Packers ultimately do.
Packers Draft A Receiver After Swapping Picks
Green Bay could also jump up in the draft to make sure they get Smith-Njigba if they really want him. Does anyone in Wisconsin want to see the Packers take an Ohio State player? No. But if he can catch touchdown passes, a lot can be forgiven.
They won’t necessarily have to trade up on draft day. It turns out, they are still arguing with the Jets like they are fighting over custody of Beanie Babies during their prime. Aaron Rodgers is still on the Packers. It could still be that way until after the draft.
There is still a chance the Packers could trade Rodgers right before the draft. Part of that trade could be the Jets and Green Bay swapping first-round picks. So New York would now have No. 15 and the Packers would have No. 13. If that happens, Green Bay has a better chance to grab their wide receiver. They could even then swap picks with a team like the Texans to make sure they get him at a lower cost of moving up just one spot. Houston has plenty to work with and needs lots of help.
If you think it seems out of character for the Packers to do this, you would be right. The proof is in the pudding: They haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round for a long time. But streaks are meant to be broken. If Smith-Njigba falls into their lap, it would be foolish not to take him. Would Rodgers possibly take that as an insult? Maybe. But now you have the top receiver in the draft, along with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. You still have time to sign a veteran receiver to round our the receiving group with Samori Toure. There are plenty of other later-round receivers to consider too.
The Packers could draft Jaxon Smith-Njigba, take a tight end in the second round and then an edge rusher with the hypothetical extra second-round pick from the Jets. Follow that up with a safety or two, a few offensive lineman, and another receiver to call it a day. Then it’s time to start making the magic with a new group of Green Bay players. And it’s also time for Packers fans to start memorizing how to spell Njigba correctly.
