Green Bay Packers take Karl Brooks with pick No. 179

The Green Bay Packers have used their No. 170 pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft to take Bowling Green defensive end Karl Brooks. He is the second selection of the fifth round for Green Bay, who entered the draft with two picks in the round.

It is the dawning of a new era in Green Bay. The Packers have moved on from their former MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Now enters their first-round pick from the 2020 NFL draft Jordan Love to lead the Packers’ offense going forward. And the addition of Brooks will go a long way in developing Love and the Packers’ offense.

The Packers are continuing to build their defense through the draft. Last year saw them spend their two first-round picks on defensive players linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt who were fresh off of a national championship victory at Georgia. With the addition of Brooks, Green Bay’s defense just added some more young talent that looks to be a fixture on that side of the ball for years to come.

Changes coming fast for the Packers

After coming up short in the NFC championship game in back-to-back seasons, 2021 and 2022, Green Bay missed the playoffs in 2023. It was the first time the Packers missed the playoffs since 2018. This sparked another round of franchise-altering changes for the Packers as they have now parted ways with Rodgers and have given Jordan Love the keys to the franchise.

Late-round picks are often glanced over and disregarded for the headline picks of the first and second rounds of the draft. But given Green Bay’s history, those picks have turned into pro bowl offensive linemen David Bakhtiari, Corey Lindsey, and running back Aaron Jones.

Prior to selecting Wooden as their fourth round pick, the Packers had three other picks. Green Bay kicked things off by drafting Iowa star linebacker Lukas Van Ness in the first round on Thursday. But after that, the Packers chose to give Love some more options in the passing game.

Green Bay took Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave in the second round and then hit the receiving room in the third round with Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed. The fourth round kicked off with Colby Wooden of Auburn. Since then, Green Bay has added Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and Virginia wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks.

Things will no doubt be different for Green Bay fans this year. But the Jordan Love era has officially begun.