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The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2025 NFL draft in an interesting spot in terms of "needs." Brian Gutekunst's roster doesn't have any glaring, emergency-level holes. But there are also positions with clearly defined needs that almost certainly need to be addressed over the next three days, beginning with Thursday night's first round.
Don't be surprised if the Packers use multiple picks on a few of the roster's biggest needs. And with only eight picks and five obvious areas of need, it's possible the Packers will use every pick over the next three days on the five need spots.
Before the draft kicks off, here's a quick look at the Packers' biggest needs for the 2025 draft:
Wide receiver: Functionally, the biggest need here is a speedy, field-stretching vertical threat. Christian Watson is expected to miss time in 2025 and will enter a contract year. Matt LaFleur's offense needs vertical speed on the perimeter to function at optimal levels. Also, both Watson and Romeo Doubs are going into the final year of their rookie deals, and Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks struggled catching the football in 2024.
Defensive end: The Packers need to do a better job consistently disrupting the quarterback with four rushers. Dominant play from the edges is one way to accomplish the goal. The Packers are expecting Lukas Van Ness to take a big jump in his third season, but this team can't bank on it happening -- especially after his disappointing second season. Brenton Cox Jr. is ascending but also shouldn't be counted on at such an important position. Competition is required.
Defensive tackle: The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency, creating a big hole at nose tackle in the base 4-3 front. It's possible Kenny Clark will play more snaps at one-technique this year, allowing Devonte Wyatt -- who the team is planning to keep past the 2025 season -- to step into a big role at three-technique. But the Packers still need depth at nose tackle, and possibly another developmental three-technique. This is a strong class of interior defensive linemen.
Cornerback: While Jaire Alexander's roster status is in limbo, the Packers are returning Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and slot corner Javon Bullard, and Nate Hobbs signed a four-year deal in free agency. But the talent level needs an upgrade, especially once Alexander, the team's No. 1 corner for the past half-decade, departs as expected. If Hobbs is a slot player, the Packers could have a rookie compete for snaps right away on the perimeter. Competition and depth are also required here.
Offensive line: A sneaky need, even after taking Jordan Morgan in the first round last year. Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are all entering contract years, and while Tom is likely to get a new deal, the Packers could lose two starters up front as soon as 2026. Morgan will compete to start at left tackle and right guard in 2025, but depth is lacking behind the top six. Also, Elgton Jenkins is moving to center, and he needs to play at a high level in 2025 to justify his cap number come 2026, which would be the final year of his deal. There are plenty of moving parts to consider for the Packers offensive line, and an investment in the front is required just about every year.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Green Bay Packers biggest needs entering 2025 NFL draft
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Don't be surprised if the Packers use multiple picks on a few of the roster's biggest needs. And with only eight picks and five obvious areas of need, it's possible the Packers will use every pick over the next three days on the five need spots.
Before the draft kicks off, here's a quick look at the Packers' biggest needs for the 2025 draft:
Packers biggest needs: WR, DE, DT, CB, OL
Wide receiver: Functionally, the biggest need here is a speedy, field-stretching vertical threat. Christian Watson is expected to miss time in 2025 and will enter a contract year. Matt LaFleur's offense needs vertical speed on the perimeter to function at optimal levels. Also, both Watson and Romeo Doubs are going into the final year of their rookie deals, and Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks struggled catching the football in 2024.
Defensive end: The Packers need to do a better job consistently disrupting the quarterback with four rushers. Dominant play from the edges is one way to accomplish the goal. The Packers are expecting Lukas Van Ness to take a big jump in his third season, but this team can't bank on it happening -- especially after his disappointing second season. Brenton Cox Jr. is ascending but also shouldn't be counted on at such an important position. Competition is required.
Defensive tackle: The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency, creating a big hole at nose tackle in the base 4-3 front. It's possible Kenny Clark will play more snaps at one-technique this year, allowing Devonte Wyatt -- who the team is planning to keep past the 2025 season -- to step into a big role at three-technique. But the Packers still need depth at nose tackle, and possibly another developmental three-technique. This is a strong class of interior defensive linemen.
Cornerback: While Jaire Alexander's roster status is in limbo, the Packers are returning Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and slot corner Javon Bullard, and Nate Hobbs signed a four-year deal in free agency. But the talent level needs an upgrade, especially once Alexander, the team's No. 1 corner for the past half-decade, departs as expected. If Hobbs is a slot player, the Packers could have a rookie compete for snaps right away on the perimeter. Competition and depth are also required here.
Offensive line: A sneaky need, even after taking Jordan Morgan in the first round last year. Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are all entering contract years, and while Tom is likely to get a new deal, the Packers could lose two starters up front as soon as 2026. Morgan will compete to start at left tackle and right guard in 2025, but depth is lacking behind the top six. Also, Elgton Jenkins is moving to center, and he needs to play at a high level in 2025 to justify his cap number come 2026, which would be the final year of his deal. There are plenty of moving parts to consider for the Packers offensive line, and an investment in the front is required just about every year.
Packers picks, 2025 draft
- No. 23 overall, first round
- No. 54 overall, second round
- No. 87 overall, third round
- No. 124 overall, fourth round
- No. 159 overall, fifth round
- No. 198 overall, sixth round
- No. 237 overall, seventh round
- No. 250 overall, seventh round
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Green Bay Packers biggest needs entering 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
