Insider reveals Green Bay's plan with its first-round pick

A new era of Green Bay football is upon us but according to the latest round of draft rumors, it could begin by looking a lot like the last one.

A new ESPN report reveals the buzz surrounding multiple teams in the NFL Draft this Thursday. Even after moving up to No. 13 in this year's draft, Dan Graziano anticipates the Packers to select a  defensive player instead of helping young QB Jordan Love by drafting an offensive weapon.

"While there's a lot of chatter about a tight end or an offensive tackle, history says it's far more likely they take a defensive player," wrote Graziano. "The guy I'm watching for them is Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith."

For Green Bay fans, that might be a tad disappointing even if it isn't all that surprising. Graziano notes since Rodgers was chosen in the 2005 NFL Draft, 15 of the organization's 18 first-round picks have been defensive players.

Former QB Aaron Rodgers expressed frustration with the team's draft strategy, and with the diminishing returns of 2022, it's hard to fault him.

Last year, the Packers selected linebacker Quay Walker (22nd overall) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (28th overall) in the first round. Wyatt had 1.5 sacks as a rookie while Walker made his biggest impact when he struck two people on the sideline on separate occasions. 

Graziano mentions the team may consider trading up into the top 10 but there aren't many offensive playmakers -- besides running back Bijan Robinson -- graded as a top-10 prospect.

While this year's class of wide receivers is viewed as being weaker than in past seasons, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is viewed as a top-15 prospect by some outlets. A core group of skill players including Smith-Njigba, wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Aaron Jones has the potential to make some noise in the NFC North.

The tight end class is much deeper, with Utah's Dalton Kincaid and Notre Dame's Michael Mayer viewed as the top two prospects in the class.

Both should be in play for Green Bay at No. 13, as should Smith-Njigba. Any of the three would signal a shift in how the front office has operated for almost two decades while potentially getting the Packers out from under Rodgers' shadow.