A hypothetical trade involving quarterback Aaron Rodgers likely would involve the Packers’ receiving a 2023 first-round pick, in addition to their own at No. 15, so the latest mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler implies that Rodgers will remain in Green Bay.

He has the Packers picking at No. 15 and only No. 15, not No. 7 (the Raiders’ pick), No. 13 (the Jets’ pick) or any other selection besides the original one they earned for finishing 8-9 last season.

Brugler pegged Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness to the Packers at No. 18 — after a trade with the Lions to move down three spots — in his first mock draft published almost two months ago. In his latest, compiled after a week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Brugler has the Packers addressing another position of need by selecting Alabama nickelback Brian Branch, with Van Ness’ going six spots earlier at No. 9 to the Bears.

I love the Branch pick for Green Bay.

Here’s how Brugler describes him: “With his ability to play any position in the secondary, Branch will be highly coveted by teams looking for defensive back versatility. With his instincts and toughness, Branch projects best as a nickel defender who is sticky in man coverage and reliable in run support. After ranking 26th overall in August and 19th in November, Branch (ranked 16th in Brugler’s pre-combine top 100) has continued to climb on my board.”

The Packers don’t necessarily need a cornerback since they have 2022 second-team All-Pro selection Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and what should be a healthy Eric Stokes, their 2021 first-round pick who missed the second half of last season due to injury. First-team All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon was Green Bay’s fourth cornerback who played nickel, and he’ll be back if the Packers do the right thing and re-sign him before or during free agency’s open next Wednesday.