The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Green Bay Packers have the 23rd overall pick. This is a breakdown of their team needs and potential players they could select, plus an overview of their offseason so far.
State of the Union
You can make a convincing argument that no team suffered more from a hard schedule than the Green Bay Packers. Their 11-6 record was good enough for a third-place finish in the NFC North, bogged down by a 1-5 record in the division. Green Bay lost both matchups with Detroit and Minnesota while splitting with the Bears. To make matters worse, only one other team beat them: the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Philly bookended their season with Week 1 and Wild Card Round defeats to send the Pack packing.
Now, these Packers find themselves at a bit of a crossroads. They have their quarterback, their head coach, and plenty of established talent. Lots of that talent is still young and under contract. The question is whether there’s enough in the tank for a deep run, or are they doomed to be also-rans in a loaded NFC?
Free Agency Recap
Key Departures
None! Some rotational pieces and backups went out the door, but overall Green Bay didn’t lose a soul they weren’t prepared to lose.
Other Departures: DT TJ Slaton, CB Eric Stokes, RB AJ Dillon, C Josh Myers, LB Eric Wilson, CB Corey Ballentine, CB Robert Rochell
Key Additions
G Aaron Banks: The four-year, $77 million contract Banks inked with the Packers turned some heads. The former second-round pick has been a solid starter in San Francisco for the past three years. Parlaying that into the sixth-highest average annual value amongst all guards was not expected. It wasn’t the only eye-popping deal for an interior lineman this offseason, perhaps explained by massive cap spikes. Considering the state of Green Bay’s interior OL, the overpay may be worth it for them.
CB Nate Hobbs: Another big get at a position of need, Hobbs, 25, steps into a cornerback room very much in flux. Green Bay is entertaining a trade for Jaire Alexander, an elite corner when healthy but rarely so. Four years and $48 million isn’t a ton for what could be the top corner in the room, but it remains to be seen if Hobbs is up to the task. Regardless of Alexander’s status come training camp, I’d expect more reinforcements coming through the draft.
Other Additions: WR Mecole Hardman, LB Kristian Welch
Team Needs
Cornerback: Regardless of how the Jaire Alexander situation shakes out, this will be an area of need. Hobbs goes a long way towards shoring up the depth, Keisean Nixon is solid enough, and good players are waiting in the wings, like Carrington Valentine. If Alexander stays, relying on a guy with 34 games missed over his past 4 campaigns is already shaky. If he goes, you’re on the hunt for a new CB1. Perhaps Hobbs, Nixon, or Valentine can fill that void. Trade pieces coming back could help make up for it. The likeliest route is that Green Bay prepares for the season as if Alexander won’t be there and hits cornerback high up in the draft.
Defensive Line: Green Bay has two bona fide studs on this defensive line in Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. The problem is who else fills the rest of their 4-3 alignment. Devonte Wyatt is passable as the run stuffer on the interior. Former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness doesn’t look like the bookend DE across from Gary. Few of these depth options should be counted on for large snap shares in the upcoming year. On top of that, Clark suffered through injuries all year and is about to turn 30. Now is the time to keep injecting life into this group instead of counting on new personnel to fix it.
Top Wide Receiver: It feels weird putting this as a need. The Pack boasted four receivers with 600+ yards this past year, and all are 25 years old or younger. Jayden Reed has the look of a dynamic weapon, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are strong supporting weapons, and Christian Watson takes the top off of the defense when healthy. On top of that, Tucker Kraft was one of the breakout tight ends of this past season. The issue (if there is one) is that none look like take-over-the-game-type receiving options. Having all this quality is great, but the group needs a top dog to make it all fall into place. Perhaps that guy is already here, but Green Bay might not be able to wait to find out.
Potential Draft Picks
DE Mike Green, Marshall: Though I’d rank cornerback as the top draft need for this squad, Green would be too good to pass up. He was one of the biggest risers in college football, jumping from 4.5 sacks his sophomore year to 17 as a junior. The measurements and athleticism are there to match the production. It admits failure in the Lukas Van Ness project, and that hurts. But more importantly, this could take a good position group to great and give Green Bay two lethal edge rushers.
CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina: Now, to address the top need. Jahdae Barron is a popular choice here for Green Bay, but they like their outside corners on the bigger side. At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, Revel Jr. profiles as the big playmaker Green Bay needs, with or without Jaire Alexander. He produced a dominant junior year at ECU (54 tackles, 13 pass deflections, a sack, and a pick) before a torn ACL derailed his senior year. I won’t go full draft broadcast sob story, but I doubt an injury can keep this guy down. Revel is a player who could take a great defense to elite if he capitalizes on his potential.
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri: Despite a down year in 2024, Burden III remains a top receiving prospect in this class, and for good reason. He’s got strength, shiftiness, and clean route-running abilities to pair with great hands. His dominant 86-1,212-9 sophomore season opened a lot of eyes against SEC competition. A down junior season (61-676-6) may have scared some off, but not this Burden enjoyer. Perhaps he can step in and be the dominant option Green Bay has been looking for. At the very least, he makes this receiver group deeper than any in the league.
Day Two Targets: DE Landon Jackson (Arkansas), DT Alfred Collins (Texas), CB Darien Porter (Iowa State), DE J.T. Tuimoloau, WR Elic Ayomanor (Stanford), DT Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), DE Princely Umanmielen, LB Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss)
Day Three Targets: CB Dorian Strong (VA Tech), DE Tyler Baron (Miami), G Drew Kendall (Boston College), T Jalen Travis (Iowa State), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn), DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Georgia), LB Shemar James (Florida), DT Kyonte Hamilton (Rutgers), TE Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech), CB Justin Walley (Minnesota)
