The Green Bay Packers kept 11 of their 13 draft picks and three undrafted free agents on the initial 53-man roster of 2023.
The two draft picks released: running back Lew Nichols (who was waived/injured due to a shoulder injury) and receiver Grant DuBose, who missed all of the offseason workout program and part of training camp because of a back injury. Both Nichols (No. 235) and DuBose (No. 256) were seventh-round picks.
Both were squeezed off the roster by undrafted free agents signed this year.
Receiver Malik Heath (Ole Miss), edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. (Florida) and running back Emanuel Wilson (Fort Valley State) made the team. All three were preseason standouts.
Heath led the team with 12 catches for 146 yards during the preseason. Cox led the team with seven pressures and two batted passes. Wilson led the entire NFL with 223 rushing yards.
The Packers extended their streak of 19 straight seasons keeping at least one undrafted free agent, and also kept three undrafted free agents for the first time since 2018.
The Packers also kept first-year punter Daniel Whelan, who replaces veteran Pat O’Donnell and gives Green Bay two specialists without NFL experience.
The following draft picks made the team: Lukas Van Ness, Luke Musgrave, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, Colby Wooden, Sean Clifford, Dontayvion Wicks, Karl Brooks, Anders Carlson, Carrington Valentine and Anthony Johnson.
Although Nichols will need an injury settlement, DuBose could quickly return if the Packers place a player or two on injured reserve on Wednesday.