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The Green Bay Packers enter the 2025 draft with eight selections, a low number compared to the recent gluttony of picks they have used. General manager Brian Gutekunst always talks about trying to feel where the board is strong, so where are the sweet spots in this year’s draft?
By dividing the 257 picks in this year’s class into five parts, and consulting the consensus big board for the positions and players likely to go in each segment, a general idea of where the draft is strong, particularly at positions of need for the Packers, can be ascertained.
The first part of the draft has been limited to players ranked from number 11 on the consensus board onwards, as this is the highest someone has been ranked and ended up falling to pick 23, where the Packers are.
From pick 11 to 50, the strongest positions in this draft are EDGE and cornerback, with eight and seven players respectively projected to go in that range. In general, EDGE is a very deep position in the draft as a whole, with 30 players currently ranked between 11 and 257.
In terms of pass rushers, names like Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart and Landon Jackson have been commonly linked to Green Bay, and are physical fits with what they generally like.
At corner, it is players like Maxwell Hairston, Trey Amos, Shavon Revel, Benjamin Morrison and Azareye’h Thomas to watch out for in Round 1 or 2.
The draft opens up between picks 51 and 100, with a large pool of starters available, and at some key positions for the Packers.
EDGE shows up once again, as does the defensive line position, which has 31 players projected to be drafted between 11 and 257, making it the deepest group in the draft. There are seven defensive linemen and eight edge rushers expected to go in this tier.
Princely Umanmielen is the only EDGE in this range who fits the Packers in terms of athleticism, production, and crucially, deciding to do the athletic testing to begin with. T.J. Sanders, Josh Farmer and Shemar Turner, who did not test due to injury, could be in play at defensive tackle.
This is the sweet spot for a wide receiver, too, with eight players ranked between 51 and 100, several of which are likely to be of interest to Green Bay. Players like Tre Harris, Elic Ayomanor, Jalen Royals and Jack Bech.
Picks 51-100 is the deepest segment for offensive tackles, although the Packers are unlikely to take one in the first three rounds, given the depth they already have. If they did pull the trigger though, Cameron Williams and Emery Jones are their type of tackle.
Cornerback is the deepest position in this tier, with eight players expected to go between 101 and 150, but it is a struggle to find someone who fits what the Packers like. Dorian Strong and Zah Frazier are athletic fits, but are lighter than they usually target.
Gutekunst is probably not looking to take a running back this early, but there are plenty of players available in a deep class, if the right one takes their fancy. Six running backs are ranked in this range, including Damien Martinez, Devin Neal and Ollie Gordon, who are Packers types.
Off-ball linebackers start to come into play from this point of the draft, with five projected to come off the board. Danny Stutsman, Smael Mondon and Jeffrey Bassa could be viable options for the Packers.
There are a lot of deep positions in the 151-200 range, with tight end, interior offensive line, defensive line, EDGE and linebacker all having at least five players ranked.
If Green Bay wants to add another tight end to the mix and have someone on a different contract timeline to Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, this would be the sweet spot. Jalin Conyers, Jackson Hawes, Luke Lachey or Thomas Fidone could be in play.
Due to the Packers only generally drafting offensive tackles or centers, and the physical dimensions they look for, none of the interior offensive linemen in this range are their type of player.
At linebacker, they could take a look at Kobe King, Jack Kiser or Cody Simon, while Elijah Roberts and Ty Hamilton could attract them as defensive lineman. Roberts can also play on the edge.
If Gutekunst skips the first wave of higher end pass rushers and instead looks to add some depth, this is a good point of the draft to do it. Barryn Sorrell, Tyler Baron and Tyler Batty all suit what Green Bay looks for in terms of athleticism and production.
Defensive line, cornerback, running back and wide receiver are the deepest positions at the back end of the draft, with each position having at least seven players ranked between 201 and 257.
On the defensive interior, Junior Tafuna, Tonka Hemingway or Cam Horsley could add a body to a group which lost T.J. Slaton in free agency. At corner, Bilhal Kone or Jason Marshall are likely to be in play.
Raheim Sanders, Tahj Brooks or Donovan Edwards would make sense as backs to add to their already strong room, while at receiver, Keandre Lambert-Smith is a name to remember. He tested well, has the size they like and was productive last season at Auburn.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Matching Packers needs with 2025 NFL draft sweet spots
Continue reading...
By dividing the 257 picks in this year’s class into five parts, and consulting the consensus big board for the positions and players likely to go in each segment, a general idea of where the draft is strong, particularly at positions of need for the Packers, can be ascertained.
Picks 11-50 (Packers selection: 23)
The first part of the draft has been limited to players ranked from number 11 on the consensus board onwards, as this is the highest someone has been ranked and ended up falling to pick 23, where the Packers are.
From pick 11 to 50, the strongest positions in this draft are EDGE and cornerback, with eight and seven players respectively projected to go in that range. In general, EDGE is a very deep position in the draft as a whole, with 30 players currently ranked between 11 and 257.
In terms of pass rushers, names like Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart and Landon Jackson have been commonly linked to Green Bay, and are physical fits with what they generally like.
At corner, it is players like Maxwell Hairston, Trey Amos, Shavon Revel, Benjamin Morrison and Azareye’h Thomas to watch out for in Round 1 or 2.
Picks 51-100 (Packers selections: 54, 87)
The draft opens up between picks 51 and 100, with a large pool of starters available, and at some key positions for the Packers.
EDGE shows up once again, as does the defensive line position, which has 31 players projected to be drafted between 11 and 257, making it the deepest group in the draft. There are seven defensive linemen and eight edge rushers expected to go in this tier.
Princely Umanmielen is the only EDGE in this range who fits the Packers in terms of athleticism, production, and crucially, deciding to do the athletic testing to begin with. T.J. Sanders, Josh Farmer and Shemar Turner, who did not test due to injury, could be in play at defensive tackle.
This is the sweet spot for a wide receiver, too, with eight players ranked between 51 and 100, several of which are likely to be of interest to Green Bay. Players like Tre Harris, Elic Ayomanor, Jalen Royals and Jack Bech.
Picks 51-100 is the deepest segment for offensive tackles, although the Packers are unlikely to take one in the first three rounds, given the depth they already have. If they did pull the trigger though, Cameron Williams and Emery Jones are their type of tackle.
Picks 101-150 (Packers selection: 124)
Cornerback is the deepest position in this tier, with eight players expected to go between 101 and 150, but it is a struggle to find someone who fits what the Packers like. Dorian Strong and Zah Frazier are athletic fits, but are lighter than they usually target.
Gutekunst is probably not looking to take a running back this early, but there are plenty of players available in a deep class, if the right one takes their fancy. Six running backs are ranked in this range, including Damien Martinez, Devin Neal and Ollie Gordon, who are Packers types.
Off-ball linebackers start to come into play from this point of the draft, with five projected to come off the board. Danny Stutsman, Smael Mondon and Jeffrey Bassa could be viable options for the Packers.
Picks 151-200 (Packers selections: 159, 198)
There are a lot of deep positions in the 151-200 range, with tight end, interior offensive line, defensive line, EDGE and linebacker all having at least five players ranked.
If Green Bay wants to add another tight end to the mix and have someone on a different contract timeline to Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, this would be the sweet spot. Jalin Conyers, Jackson Hawes, Luke Lachey or Thomas Fidone could be in play.
Due to the Packers only generally drafting offensive tackles or centers, and the physical dimensions they look for, none of the interior offensive linemen in this range are their type of player.
At linebacker, they could take a look at Kobe King, Jack Kiser or Cody Simon, while Elijah Roberts and Ty Hamilton could attract them as defensive lineman. Roberts can also play on the edge.
If Gutekunst skips the first wave of higher end pass rushers and instead looks to add some depth, this is a good point of the draft to do it. Barryn Sorrell, Tyler Baron and Tyler Batty all suit what Green Bay looks for in terms of athleticism and production.
Picks 201-257 (Packers selections: 237, 250)
Defensive line, cornerback, running back and wide receiver are the deepest positions at the back end of the draft, with each position having at least seven players ranked between 201 and 257.
On the defensive interior, Junior Tafuna, Tonka Hemingway or Cam Horsley could add a body to a group which lost T.J. Slaton in free agency. At corner, Bilhal Kone or Jason Marshall are likely to be in play.
Raheim Sanders, Tahj Brooks or Donovan Edwards would make sense as backs to add to their already strong room, while at receiver, Keandre Lambert-Smith is a name to remember. He tested well, has the size they like and was productive last season at Auburn.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Matching Packers needs with 2025 NFL draft sweet spots
Continue reading...
