- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 430,126
- Reaction score
- 44
The Green Bay Packers are an interesting position entering the 2025 NFL draft. The roster doesn't have any glaring needs that could prevent the Packers from being competitive, but the roster is also full of positions that almost certainly need to improve for the Packers to be true contenders.
Unlike last year, when the immediate needs were clear, this year the Packers must determine which positions need upgrades for 2025 and which positions need long-term stability.
Instead of ranking roster needs, let’s categorize the individual needs into the four tiers: rookie contributors, long-term developmental players, positional depth and no clear need.
These are positions where the Packers likely need a rookie to play right away.
Wide receiver: The Packers are bringing back all their receivers from the 53-man roster and even signed Mecole Hardman in free agency, and Christian Watson (ACL) should be back at some point during the 2025 season. Still, finding an "X" receiver with speed, an ability to threaten defenses vertically and adequate blocking ability on the perimeter has to be a primary goal entering the 2025 draft. The right rookie could be tasked with filling an important role for the Packers passing game. More and more, college receivers are ready to contribute right away. Also, Watson and Romeo Doubs are entering contract years, so there is a real incentive to provide long-term stability at an increasingly important position.
These are positions where the Packers must find capable rookies to play early and develop into the future.
Defensive end: The Packers are returning Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare as the veterans on the edge and will give Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr. every opportunity to carve out big roles. This position doesn't necessarily need a rookie contributor given who is returning, and what is expected out of Van Ness in Year 3. But the Packers' pass-rush must improve, and finding another young, disruptive edge rusher to start developing is still a big roster need. Enagbare is entering a contract year and development from the young players already on the roster isn't guaranteed.
Defensive tackle: In Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden, the Packers return four veterans at defensive tackle. But TJ Slaton left in free agency, Clark is coming off a poor season and will soon turn 30, Wyatt has dealt with injuries in back-to-back years and would enter a contract year if his fifth-year option isn't picked up, and Brooks and Wooden are currently rotational players. The Packers probably need to come out of this draft with a developmental 3-technique and a developmental nose tackle, and it's possible both will need to play snaps in 2025.
Interior offensive line: The Packers swapped out Josh Myers for Aaron Banks, and now Elgton Jenkins will move to center to allow Banks -- who signed a big, four-year deal -- to start at left guard. A few things: right guard Sean Rhyan is entering a contract year, Jenkins must play at a high level at center to return at his cap number in 2026, and the depth at guard and center is shaky long-term, even after taking Jacob Monk and Travis Glover on Day 3 last year.
Cornerback: The Jaire Alexander situation clouds the immediate outlook of the position, but the Packers are still expected to trade or release him before the 2025 season. In Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and slot corner Javon Bullard, the Packers have options -- all four started games in 2024. Also, Kalen King and Kamal Hadden are both back after spending last year on the practice squad. But cornerback is too important a position to not address, and the talent level in Green Bay probably isn't good enough. A high pick would have every opportunity to play right away.
Offensive tackle: 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan is going to get his shot at left tackle, but Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are both about to enter contract years, and veteran Andre Dillard remains unsigned. Even if Morgan wins the job and Tom is signed long-term, the Packers need depth.
These are positions where competition down the depth chart might be required.
Quarterback: The Packers want to draft quarterbacks every year, and both Malik Willis and Sean Clifford are entering contract years in 2025. Taking a quarterback who could compete with Clifford for the No. 3 role in 2025 and potentially take over for Willis as the top backup behind Jordan Love must be considered.
Tight end: Tucker Kraft is one of the NFL's best young tight ends, but Luke Musgrave hasn't been able to stay on the field in his first two seasons and Ben Sims (or John FitzPatrick, if re-signed) need competition for the No. 3 tight end role.
Off-ball linebacker: Taking two linebackers on Day 2 last year (Edgerrin Cooper, Ty'Ron Hopper) and re-signing Isaiah McDuffie lessened the need here, and Kristian Welch can probably handle the Eric Wilson role. The Packers just need more numbers at off-ball linebacker in the 4-3 base.
These are positions that don't have an obvious short- or long-term need.
Safety: The Packers have a star (Xavier McKinney), three young, ascending players (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo), a core special teamer who delivered on defense last year (Zayne Anderson) and another intriguing young player from the 2024 draft class (Omar Brown). Unless the Packers see Bullard as a slot corner only moving forward, this position looks set.
Running back: As long as MarShawn Lloyd can put his nightmare rookie season behind him, the Packers are rock solid at running back. Josh Jacobs is 27 and coming off a Pro Bowl season, Emanuel Wilson was a breakout contributor with over 500 total yards as the backup, and Chris Brooks gained the team's trust in both the run and pass game. This position is four-deep in 53-man roster caliber players.
Kicker/punter: Brandon McManus signed a three-year deal to return to Green Bay, and Daniel Whelan had a terrific second season as the Packers punter. In terms of specialists, the Packers could use competition for long snapper Matt Orzech.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Categorizing Packers' roster needs entering 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
Unlike last year, when the immediate needs were clear, this year the Packers must determine which positions need upgrades for 2025 and which positions need long-term stability.
Instead of ranking roster needs, let’s categorize the individual needs into the four tiers: rookie contributors, long-term developmental players, positional depth and no clear need.
Need rookie contributors
These are positions where the Packers likely need a rookie to play right away.
Wide receiver: The Packers are bringing back all their receivers from the 53-man roster and even signed Mecole Hardman in free agency, and Christian Watson (ACL) should be back at some point during the 2025 season. Still, finding an "X" receiver with speed, an ability to threaten defenses vertically and adequate blocking ability on the perimeter has to be a primary goal entering the 2025 draft. The right rookie could be tasked with filling an important role for the Packers passing game. More and more, college receivers are ready to contribute right away. Also, Watson and Romeo Doubs are entering contract years, so there is a real incentive to provide long-term stability at an increasingly important position.
Need developmental players
These are positions where the Packers must find capable rookies to play early and develop into the future.
Defensive end: The Packers are returning Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare as the veterans on the edge and will give Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr. every opportunity to carve out big roles. This position doesn't necessarily need a rookie contributor given who is returning, and what is expected out of Van Ness in Year 3. But the Packers' pass-rush must improve, and finding another young, disruptive edge rusher to start developing is still a big roster need. Enagbare is entering a contract year and development from the young players already on the roster isn't guaranteed.
Defensive tackle: In Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden, the Packers return four veterans at defensive tackle. But TJ Slaton left in free agency, Clark is coming off a poor season and will soon turn 30, Wyatt has dealt with injuries in back-to-back years and would enter a contract year if his fifth-year option isn't picked up, and Brooks and Wooden are currently rotational players. The Packers probably need to come out of this draft with a developmental 3-technique and a developmental nose tackle, and it's possible both will need to play snaps in 2025.
Interior offensive line: The Packers swapped out Josh Myers for Aaron Banks, and now Elgton Jenkins will move to center to allow Banks -- who signed a big, four-year deal -- to start at left guard. A few things: right guard Sean Rhyan is entering a contract year, Jenkins must play at a high level at center to return at his cap number in 2026, and the depth at guard and center is shaky long-term, even after taking Jacob Monk and Travis Glover on Day 3 last year.
Cornerback: The Jaire Alexander situation clouds the immediate outlook of the position, but the Packers are still expected to trade or release him before the 2025 season. In Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and slot corner Javon Bullard, the Packers have options -- all four started games in 2024. Also, Kalen King and Kamal Hadden are both back after spending last year on the practice squad. But cornerback is too important a position to not address, and the talent level in Green Bay probably isn't good enough. A high pick would have every opportunity to play right away.
Offensive tackle: 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan is going to get his shot at left tackle, but Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are both about to enter contract years, and veteran Andre Dillard remains unsigned. Even if Morgan wins the job and Tom is signed long-term, the Packers need depth.
Need position depth/competition
These are positions where competition down the depth chart might be required.
Quarterback: The Packers want to draft quarterbacks every year, and both Malik Willis and Sean Clifford are entering contract years in 2025. Taking a quarterback who could compete with Clifford for the No. 3 role in 2025 and potentially take over for Willis as the top backup behind Jordan Love must be considered.
Tight end: Tucker Kraft is one of the NFL's best young tight ends, but Luke Musgrave hasn't been able to stay on the field in his first two seasons and Ben Sims (or John FitzPatrick, if re-signed) need competition for the No. 3 tight end role.
Off-ball linebacker: Taking two linebackers on Day 2 last year (Edgerrin Cooper, Ty'Ron Hopper) and re-signing Isaiah McDuffie lessened the need here, and Kristian Welch can probably handle the Eric Wilson role. The Packers just need more numbers at off-ball linebacker in the 4-3 base.
No clear need
These are positions that don't have an obvious short- or long-term need.
Safety: The Packers have a star (Xavier McKinney), three young, ascending players (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo), a core special teamer who delivered on defense last year (Zayne Anderson) and another intriguing young player from the 2024 draft class (Omar Brown). Unless the Packers see Bullard as a slot corner only moving forward, this position looks set.
Running back: As long as MarShawn Lloyd can put his nightmare rookie season behind him, the Packers are rock solid at running back. Josh Jacobs is 27 and coming off a Pro Bowl season, Emanuel Wilson was a breakout contributor with over 500 total yards as the backup, and Chris Brooks gained the team's trust in both the run and pass game. This position is four-deep in 53-man roster caliber players.
Kicker/punter: Brandon McManus signed a three-year deal to return to Green Bay, and Daniel Whelan had a terrific second season as the Packers punter. In terms of specialists, the Packers could use competition for long snapper Matt Orzech.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Categorizing Packers' roster needs entering 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
