The Green Bay Packers made a surprise pick on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft and those in the NFL world had a field day.
The Packers used the 149th overall pick on former Penn State Nittany Lions QB Sean Clifford. The 24-year-old Clifford had a respectable five-year career at Penn State but wasn’t exactly seen by most to have a future in the NFL. A four-year starter, Clifford started all 46 games for the Nittany Lions from 2019-22 and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten three times, and was named the 2023 Rose Bowl offensive MVP.
While the Packers had previously brought in Clifford for a Top 30 visit, most draft projections had Clifford as a borderline Day 3 selection, with a possibility of going undrafted altogether. Very few, if any, analysts saw Clifford going before the seventh round.
Now, he’ll join a Packers quarterback room that includes just two quarterbacks – Jordan Love and Danny Etling – following the Aaron Rodgers trade. Clifford, who happens to be the same age as Love, 24, now has the inside track to serving as his backup. Though, the Packers would be wise to bring in a veteran quarterback, no matter how high they are on Clifford.
The NFL world absolutely roasted the Packers on social media.
Sean Clifford is the definition of a “wasted pick”.
A bad college QB with virtually no upside at a pick where you can still find helpful players. Just add a veteran QB for Love, not this.
Not a fan.
— Jacob (@NotionsOfJacob) April 29, 2023
guys, i took a nap. a football team drafted sean clifford?
— offseason seltzer 🪩 (@seltzermom) April 29, 2023
They drafted a rookie to mentor Love lmao https://t.co/xVzkpV4B4p
— Nathaniel Jackett (@actionjack69) April 29, 2023
I mean i'm just not a huge fan of taking a 5th round pick and throwing it straight in the trash when there's good players, and starting Safeties, still on the board…. Brian Gutekunst.
SEAN CLIFFORD!? Bro… At least take Tanner Mckee
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) April 29, 2023
Sean Clifford is three and a half months older than Jordan Love.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 29, 2023
Sean Clifford ranked 414th on the expanded consensus board
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) April 29, 2023
Sean Clifford got drafted??? To the NFL???? What in the world
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 29, 2023
No way I just saw Sean Clifford get drafted man
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) April 29, 2023
