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All roster needs aren't created equal. Some are long-term focused. Others need more immediate attention.
The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with several positions needing both an influx of talent and numbers for right now. But unlike last year, when the Packers needed rookies to be contributors right away, Matt LaFleur's team is well positioned entering this year's draft. The Packers could realistically play a football game and be highly competitive right now without a single rookie contributing. But the draft is both about adding help for now and addressing long-term needs -- and 2026 and beyond needs help.
First, take a look at this useful graphic from Ken Ingalls, who paints a picture of the roster construction into the future:
Here are five positions where the Packers must draft a player to help the 2025 team and beyond:
The Packers are bringing back all their receivers from last season, and the addition of Mecole Hardman added some speed and special teams versatility to the mix. Even with Christian Watson recovering from a major knee injury and the position's disappointing end to 2024, the Packers have a good mix of young talent and experience returning at receiver for 2025.
The need here is mostly long-term focused, even if a rookie could come in and contribute right away at receiver. The Packers have only two receivers under contract for 2026: Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Watson is coming off a major injury, Romeo Doubs had two concussions and a one-game suspension last year, and Wicks dropped way too many passes during a disappointing second season. Reed might be the only sure thing in the group, and even he suffered through a second-half slump last year. The receiver position now needs a draft pick for all the important reasons: competition, immediate impact and long-term stability.
The Packers are banking on a big year from Lukas Van Ness, the 2023 first-round pick. Others, including Rashan Gary and Brenton Cox Jr., could take a big leap in their second year of playing defensive end in Jeff Hafley's system. But the edge rusher group wasn't consistent in 2024, Van Ness remains a big question mark, Kingsley Enagbare is entering a contract year and a team can never have enough quality pass-rushers, especially considering how Hafley and Matt LaFleur want to play defense. The plan last year was to rush four and play a shell coverage behind the front -- but the Packers weren't good enough disrupting the passer. Expect an investment here, not only to charge up the pass-rush for 2025 but also to protect the premium position long term. Only Gary and Van Ness are under contract come 2026.
The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency, Kenny Clark is coming off one of his worst professional seasons and will turn 30 in October, and Devonte Wyatt isn't guaranteed to have his fifth-year option picked up, meaning he'd be in a contract year in 2025. And rushing the quarterback isn't just the job of the edge rushers -- the defensive tackles weren't consistent enough for Hafley last season. As long as Clark bounces back and Wyatt and Karl Brooks can handle the three-technique snaps, the immediate need here isn't overwhelming -- even if a rookie could absolutely get snaps along the interior in 2025. Again, the Packers need safeguards at the position for after 2025, especially if Clark's decline continues and/or Wyatt doesn't return. In what looks like a strong, deep class of defensive tackles, expect the Packers to get at least one.
The Packers signed Nate Hobbs, likely providing the replacement for Jaire Alexander, who is still expected to be traded or released at some point between now and training camp. While Hobbs, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine (and even slot corner Javon Bullard) are signed through 2026, this position needs both depth and competition after Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell departed in free agency.
The Packers will go into 2025 with at least six players they believe can start along the offensive line, plus the versatility among the players to mix and match to find the best starting five. The question marks really come after 2025. Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are all entering a contract year, and it's possible only Tom will get a new deal before the 2025 season. Also, Elgton Jenkins is moving to center and will be expensive for 2026, so a long-term solution at center might be required. The Packers drafted three offensive linemen last April, and they might need to make multiple picks again to ensure the right mix of depth and competition.
The Packers currently have eight draft picks in the 2025 draft. Would anyone be surprised if the Packers invested all eight picks into the five positions above? The roster is mostly set at quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker and safety, and using a pick on a specialist doesn't really make sense this year. The Packers are well positioned to attack their biggest needs, likely with multiple picks at a few specific spots.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 positions where the Packers need help and long-term depth in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with several positions needing both an influx of talent and numbers for right now. But unlike last year, when the Packers needed rookies to be contributors right away, Matt LaFleur's team is well positioned entering this year's draft. The Packers could realistically play a football game and be highly competitive right now without a single rookie contributing. But the draft is both about adding help for now and addressing long-term needs -- and 2026 and beyond needs help.
First, take a look at this useful graphic from Ken Ingalls, who paints a picture of the roster construction into the future:
Here are five positions where the Packers must draft a player to help the 2025 team and beyond:
Wide receiver
The Packers are bringing back all their receivers from last season, and the addition of Mecole Hardman added some speed and special teams versatility to the mix. Even with Christian Watson recovering from a major knee injury and the position's disappointing end to 2024, the Packers have a good mix of young talent and experience returning at receiver for 2025.
The need here is mostly long-term focused, even if a rookie could come in and contribute right away at receiver. The Packers have only two receivers under contract for 2026: Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Watson is coming off a major injury, Romeo Doubs had two concussions and a one-game suspension last year, and Wicks dropped way too many passes during a disappointing second season. Reed might be the only sure thing in the group, and even he suffered through a second-half slump last year. The receiver position now needs a draft pick for all the important reasons: competition, immediate impact and long-term stability.
Defensive end
The Packers are banking on a big year from Lukas Van Ness, the 2023 first-round pick. Others, including Rashan Gary and Brenton Cox Jr., could take a big leap in their second year of playing defensive end in Jeff Hafley's system. But the edge rusher group wasn't consistent in 2024, Van Ness remains a big question mark, Kingsley Enagbare is entering a contract year and a team can never have enough quality pass-rushers, especially considering how Hafley and Matt LaFleur want to play defense. The plan last year was to rush four and play a shell coverage behind the front -- but the Packers weren't good enough disrupting the passer. Expect an investment here, not only to charge up the pass-rush for 2025 but also to protect the premium position long term. Only Gary and Van Ness are under contract come 2026.
Defensive tackle
The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency, Kenny Clark is coming off one of his worst professional seasons and will turn 30 in October, and Devonte Wyatt isn't guaranteed to have his fifth-year option picked up, meaning he'd be in a contract year in 2025. And rushing the quarterback isn't just the job of the edge rushers -- the defensive tackles weren't consistent enough for Hafley last season. As long as Clark bounces back and Wyatt and Karl Brooks can handle the three-technique snaps, the immediate need here isn't overwhelming -- even if a rookie could absolutely get snaps along the interior in 2025. Again, the Packers need safeguards at the position for after 2025, especially if Clark's decline continues and/or Wyatt doesn't return. In what looks like a strong, deep class of defensive tackles, expect the Packers to get at least one.
Cornerback
The Packers signed Nate Hobbs, likely providing the replacement for Jaire Alexander, who is still expected to be traded or released at some point between now and training camp. While Hobbs, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine (and even slot corner Javon Bullard) are signed through 2026, this position needs both depth and competition after Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell departed in free agency.
Offensive line
The Packers will go into 2025 with at least six players they believe can start along the offensive line, plus the versatility among the players to mix and match to find the best starting five. The question marks really come after 2025. Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are all entering a contract year, and it's possible only Tom will get a new deal before the 2025 season. Also, Elgton Jenkins is moving to center and will be expensive for 2026, so a long-term solution at center might be required. The Packers drafted three offensive linemen last April, and they might need to make multiple picks again to ensure the right mix of depth and competition.
Looking ahead to 2025 NFL draft
The Packers currently have eight draft picks in the 2025 draft. Would anyone be surprised if the Packers invested all eight picks into the five positions above? The roster is mostly set at quarterback, running back, tight end, linebacker and safety, and using a pick on a specialist doesn't really make sense this year. The Packers are well positioned to attack their biggest needs, likely with multiple picks at a few specific spots.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 positions where the Packers need help and long-term depth in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
