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The bulk of free agency for the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL is over, and the 2025 NFL draft is now three weeks away. It's time for a roster reset.
The Packers currently have 72 players on the active roster. Green Bay signed four veteran free agents (Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs, Mecole Hardman and Kristian Welch) and saw seven free agents depart for new teams, and three free agents remain unsigned.
How does the roster look with most of free agency in the rear-view mirror and the draft now only weeks away?
Where is help required? Here’s a look at the roster, position by position, after a month of free agency and with the draft now three weeks out:
The Packers say they want to draft and develop a quarterback every year, but 2025 will put that claim to the test. Willis, who was acquired in a trade for a seventh-round pick last August, returns after a superb season as Love's backup. Clifford, a 2023 fifth-round pick, returns for his third season in the offense. Clifford wasn't good enough to be the No. 2 last summer, and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Pratt didn't make the team and departed for Tampa Bay. Willis (unrestricted) and Clifford (restricted) will both be free agents in 2026, so another investment here is possible.
This is one of the strongest positions on the roster. Jacobs turned in a Pro Bowl season in 2024, Wilson produced over 500 total yards and was efficient as the primary backup, and Brooks provided a reliable runner and blocker. Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, returns after a nightmare rookie season on the injury front. He could provide a dynamic playmaking option if his body holds up in Year 2. Dillon, who signed with the Eagles, sat out the 2024 season after injuring his neck in training camp. A draft pick is unlikely, but expect the Packers to add numbers here via college free agency.
Watson (ACL) is expected to miss time to start 2025, but the Packers could go into next season with the current group of receivers and be just fine. Yet even after signing Hardman to a one-year deal, a draft pick at receiver seems inevitable, given the contract situations for Watson and Doubs (entering final year of rookie deals) and the underperformance of the position group overall during the 2024 season. An investment at receiver could help the passing game in 2025 and keep the position healthy years into the future. A pick during the first two days of the draft looks increasingly likely.
FitzPatrick wasn't tendered as a restricted free agent, but it's still possible he could return on a low-cost, one-year deal at some point. He was active over Sims for the playoff loss in Philadelphia, and the team likes his combo of size and athleticism. This position is in good shape overall, with Kraft emerging as one of the NFL's best young tight ends and Musgrave returning from last year's significant ankle injury. The Packers need Kraft to get more targets, and Musgrave to avoid the injuries that have plagued his first two seasons. Sims will need a strong summer to stick again as the third tight end.
The Packers swapped out Myers, the team's starting center, for Banks, who will start at left guard and push Jenkins to center. The offensive line is now at least six deep in players the Packers believe can start right now -- including Morgan, who will compete to start at both left tackle and right guard. Tom, Walker and Rhyan are all entering contract years, and only Tom is likely to get a new deal before the 2025 season. The Packers have good numbers along the offensive line, but additions are coming -- both via the draft and college free agency. Staying deep up front requires yearly investment.
The Packers know they need a better four-man pass-rush in 2025, but so much of the "need" here is based around the team's evaluation of Van Ness and Cox Jr. entering their third NFL seasons. They need to take big jumps and be consistent, reliable contributors. Are they capable? Can the Packers afford to rely on internal progression at such a key position? Enagbare is entering a contract year, so a draft pick at edge rusher is all but assured.
Losing Slaton could force the Packers to play Clark more as a true nose tackle and give Wyatt and Brooks even more snaps as the 3-technique in the 4-3 front. Clark saw a lot of double team blocks in 2024, but he also produced the least productive season of his career after signing a big third contract. He needs a big rebound. Wyatt, who is disruptive when healthy, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if the Packers don't pick up his fifth-year option or agree to an extension. With a deep draft class at defensive tackle, expect the Packers to take at least one.
The Packers re-signed McDuffie and cancelled out the loss of Wilson by returning Welch, solidifying the linebacker position for 2025. The team still wants more numbers at linebacker. Like Devonte Wyatt, Walker would be a free agent in 2026 if his fifth-year option isn't exercised or an extension doesn't get done. A draft pick here is probably unlikely.
The Packers are actively trying to trade Alexander, but they say a return in 2025 remains possible. We see it as highly unlikely. Trading or releasing Alexander would continue the makeover at corner, where the Packers let three free agents depart and signed Hobbs to a solid deal. The Packers see Nixon, Hobbs and Valentine as starting caliber, and 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard was a preferred option in the slot to end last season. King and Hadden, two draft picks from 2024, return after a year on the practice squad. Could the Packers take a corner early? Sure. But it won't be surprising if the team thinks the position is in better shape now than most outsiders believe.
The safety position got remade last offseason and now looks rock solid. Bullard played more and more as a slot corner to end 2024, so the numbers here might be deceiving. McKinney and Williams ended up being the preferred safety duo, Oladapo looked good after returning from a foot injury, Anderson is a core special teamer who proved he can play defensively in 2024, and Brown is an intriguing young developmental player.
Bringing back McManus solidified the specialists for 2025. Orzech (unrestricted) and Whelan (restricted) will both be free agents in 2026, so it's possible competition is brought in this summer at one or both positions.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Analyzing Packers roster post-free agency, pre-2025 NFL draft
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The Packers currently have 72 players on the active roster. Green Bay signed four veteran free agents (Aaron Banks, Nate Hobbs, Mecole Hardman and Kristian Welch) and saw seven free agents depart for new teams, and three free agents remain unsigned.
How does the roster look with most of free agency in the rear-view mirror and the draft now only weeks away?
Where is help required? Here’s a look at the roster, position by position, after a month of free agency and with the draft now three weeks out:
Quarterback
- On the roster: Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Sean Clifford
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: None
The Packers say they want to draft and develop a quarterback every year, but 2025 will put that claim to the test. Willis, who was acquired in a trade for a seventh-round pick last August, returns after a superb season as Love's backup. Clifford, a 2023 fifth-round pick, returns for his third season in the offense. Clifford wasn't good enough to be the No. 2 last summer, and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Pratt didn't make the team and departed for Tampa Bay. Willis (unrestricted) and Clifford (restricted) will both be free agents in 2026, so another investment here is possible.
Running back
- On the roster: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd
- Lost: A.J. Dillon (Eagles)
- Unsigned: None
This is one of the strongest positions on the roster. Jacobs turned in a Pro Bowl season in 2024, Wilson produced over 500 total yards and was efficient as the primary backup, and Brooks provided a reliable runner and blocker. Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, returns after a nightmare rookie season on the injury front. He could provide a dynamic playmaking option if his body holds up in Year 2. Dillon, who signed with the Eagles, sat out the 2024 season after injuring his neck in training camp. A draft pick is unlikely, but expect the Packers to add numbers here via college free agency.
Wide receiver
- On the roster: Christian Watson (injured), Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Bo Melton, Mecole Hardman, Julian Hicks, Corneilius Johnson, Tulu Griffin
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: None
Watson (ACL) is expected to miss time to start 2025, but the Packers could go into next season with the current group of receivers and be just fine. Yet even after signing Hardman to a one-year deal, a draft pick at receiver seems inevitable, given the contract situations for Watson and Doubs (entering final year of rookie deals) and the underperformance of the position group overall during the 2024 season. An investment at receiver could help the passing game in 2025 and keep the position healthy years into the future. A pick during the first two days of the draft looks increasingly likely.
Tight end
- On the roster: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: John FitzPatrick, Tyler Davis
FitzPatrick wasn't tendered as a restricted free agent, but it's still possible he could return on a low-cost, one-year deal at some point. He was active over Sims for the playoff loss in Philadelphia, and the team likes his combo of size and athleticism. This position is in good shape overall, with Kraft emerging as one of the NFL's best young tight ends and Musgrave returning from last year's significant ankle injury. The Packers need Kraft to get more targets, and Musgrave to avoid the injuries that have plagued his first two seasons. Sims will need a strong summer to stick again as the third tight end.
Offensive line
- On the roster: Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Aaron Banks, Jordan Morgan, Kadeem Telfort, Jacob Monk, Travis Glover, Donovan Jennings, Marquis Hayes, Trey Hill
- Lost: Josh Myers
- Unsigned: Andre Dillard
The Packers swapped out Myers, the team's starting center, for Banks, who will start at left guard and push Jenkins to center. The offensive line is now at least six deep in players the Packers believe can start right now -- including Morgan, who will compete to start at both left tackle and right guard. Tom, Walker and Rhyan are all entering contract years, and only Tom is likely to get a new deal before the 2025 season. The Packers have good numbers along the offensive line, but additions are coming -- both via the draft and college free agency. Staying deep up front requires yearly investment.
Defensive end
- On the roster: Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre, Jeremiah Martin
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: None
The Packers know they need a better four-man pass-rush in 2025, but so much of the "need" here is based around the team's evaluation of Van Ness and Cox Jr. entering their third NFL seasons. They need to take big jumps and be consistent, reliable contributors. Are they capable? Can the Packers afford to rely on internal progression at such a key position? Enagbare is entering a contract year, so a draft pick at edge rusher is all but assured.
Defensive tackle
- On the roster: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, James Ester, Leonard Payne, Keith Randolph, Nesta Jade Silvera
- Lost: TJ Slaton
- Unsigned: None
Losing Slaton could force the Packers to play Clark more as a true nose tackle and give Wyatt and Brooks even more snaps as the 3-technique in the 4-3 front. Clark saw a lot of double team blocks in 2024, but he also produced the least productive season of his career after signing a big third contract. He needs a big rebound. Wyatt, who is disruptive when healthy, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if the Packers don't pick up his fifth-year option or agree to an extension. With a deep draft class at defensive tackle, expect the Packers to take at least one.
Linebacker
- On the roster: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Kristian Welch
- Lost: Eric Wilson
- Unsigned: None
The Packers re-signed McDuffie and cancelled out the loss of Wilson by returning Welch, solidifying the linebacker position for 2025. The team still wants more numbers at linebacker. Like Devonte Wyatt, Walker would be a free agent in 2026 if his fifth-year option isn't exercised or an extension doesn't get done. A draft pick here is probably unlikely.
Cornerback
- On the roster: Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Nate Hobbs, Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, Isaiah Dunn, Kaleb Hayes
- Lost: Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell
- Unsigned: None
The Packers are actively trying to trade Alexander, but they say a return in 2025 remains possible. We see it as highly unlikely. Trading or releasing Alexander would continue the makeover at corner, where the Packers let three free agents depart and signed Hobbs to a solid deal. The Packers see Nixon, Hobbs and Valentine as starting caliber, and 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard was a preferred option in the slot to end last season. King and Hadden, two draft picks from 2024, return after a year on the practice squad. Could the Packers take a corner early? Sure. But it won't be surprising if the team thinks the position is in better shape now than most outsiders believe.
Safety
- On the roster: Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Zayne Anderson, Omar Brown
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: None
The safety position got remade last offseason and now looks rock solid. Bullard played more and more as a slot corner to end 2024, so the numbers here might be deceiving. McKinney and Williams ended up being the preferred safety duo, Oladapo looked good after returning from a foot injury, Anderson is a core special teamer who proved he can play defensively in 2024, and Brown is an intriguing young developmental player.
Specialists
- On the roster: K Brandon McManus, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matthew Orzech
- Lost: None
- Unsigned: None
Bringing back McManus solidified the specialists for 2025. Orzech (unrestricted) and Whelan (restricted) will both be free agents in 2026, so it's possible competition is brought in this summer at one or both positions.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Analyzing Packers roster post-free agency, pre-2025 NFL draft
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