Brian Gutekunst made 13 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Last season the Green Bay Packers received an impact from a handful of rookies.
Quay Walker started opposite De’Vondre Campbell. When healthy, Christian Watson proved to be a dynamic playmaker. Romeo Doubs finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Zach Tom logged over 450 snaps along the offensive line, playing left tackle, right tackle, and left guard. Kingsley Enagbare recorded three sacks and Tariq Carpenter made a splash on special teams.
How much of an impact will the Packers receive from their incoming draft class? Let’s take a look in part two of a five-part series taking a look at how much impact the Packers will get from each rookie. If you missed the first part check the link.
10. Sean Clifford, QB
Clifford saw it all during his time at Penn State. The 149th overall pick finished his career with 46 career starts and is Penn State’s all-time leader in passing yards.
“He started a lot of games in the Big Ten,” Brian Gutekunst said following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. “A lot of experience. Really good athlete. Liked his arm talent.”
Clifford is the betting favorite to win the backup quarterback position behind Jordan Love. He’ll have to beat out Danny Etling and Alex McGough, but barring a horrendous training camp and preseason, it’s hard to imagine the fifth-round pick not securing the role of backup to Love.
With his athleticism, football IQ, toughness, and ability to make plays on the move give Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff confidence that he’d be able to step in and keep the chains moving if something happened to Love.
“Sean is a guy who is really intelligent,” LaFleur said. “He’s played a lot of games. He’s got some athleticism. He’s a natural thrower. All the things we look for in quarterbacks, he possesses.”
The hope is that Clifford is stuck on the sideline holding a clipboard all season. On the off chance that something happens to Love, Clifford could quickly turn into the most important rookie on the roster.
Let’s say that doesn’t happen and bank on Clifford only seeing the field for mop-up time in the fourth quarter after Love slings six touchdown passes against the Chicago Bears in Week 1.