Packers 2025 draft preview: Offensive line needs annual investment

[ASFN Admin]

The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after limping to the finish line of an otherwise promising season in 2024. Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur believe their team is ready to start competing for championships, but the Packers still need to find more early contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.

Can the Packers use the 2025 draft to solidify their status as one of the NFC's top contenders?

Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at offensive line:

On the roster​

Elgton Jenkins: 29 years old, signed through 2026 seasonSean Rhyan: 24 years old, signed through 2025 seasonZach Tom: 26 years old, signed through 2025 seasonRasheed Walker: 25 years old, signed through 2025 seasonAaron Banks: 27 years old, signed through 2028 seasonJordan Morgan: 23 years old, signed through 2027 seasonKadeem Telfort: 26 years old, signed through 2025 seasonTravis Glover: 24 years old, signed through 2027 seasonJacob Monk: 23 years old, signed through 2027 seasonDonovan Jennings: 25 years old, signed through 2025 seasonMarquis Hayes: 26 years old, signed through 2025 seasonTrey Hill: 25 years old, signed through 2025 season

Short-term need​

Low to moderate. The Packers signed Aaron Banks to play left guard, are moving Elgton Jenkins inside to center and have returning starters at left tackle (Rasheed Walker), right guard (Sean Rhyan) and right tackle (Zach Tom), plus first-round pick Jordan Morgan, who is expected to compete at left tackle and right guard. They are six deep in players who can start along the offensive line. Glover and Monk will enter Year 2 after spending all of last season on the 53-man roster and should be more capable of stepping in as backups. The Packers could use more quality depth on the interior, and veteran tackle Andre Dillard is still unsigned, but with six starting caliber players and the versatility of so many veterans, the offensive line is starting in a strong position for 2025.

Long-term need​

Moderate to high. This is a sneaky big need position long term, and the offensive line requires annual investment to make sure needs don't swell over time. Tom, Walker and Rhyan are all entering contract years, and while Jenkins is signed for two more years, he needs to be terrific as the new starting center in 2025 to return on his current deal in 2026. This year's draft will tell us a lot about how the Packers want to build the offensive line for 2026 because big decisions are right around the corner.

Chances of drafting position​

High. No surprise here. The Packers have drafted at least one offensive lineman in six of Brian Gutekunst's seven drafts, including multiple offensive linemen in five of seven. This team invests up front on offense, using specific guardrails in terms of athleticism and versatility to find the best developmental players. With long term needs, the Packers will almost certainly pick at least one offensive lineman from this year's draft to start developing.

Depth of draft class​

Decent. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has nine offensive tackles, six guards and two centers in his top 100 players, so offensive linemen make up almost 20 percent of the top players in the class. This year's crop appears to have several mid-round options fitting the Packers' preferences both at tackle and guard.

Potential options, and last OL drafted​

• Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
• Josh Simmons, Ohio State
• Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
• Anthony Belton, NC State
• Jared Wilson, Georgia
• Jackson Slater, Sac State
• Logan Brown, Kansas
• Joshua Grey, Oregon State
• Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech
• Esa Pole, Washington State
• Dalton Cooper, Oklahoma State

Last OL drafted by Packers: Travis Glover -- sixth round, 2024 draft

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2025 draft preview: Offensive line needs annual investment

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