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Though NFL free agency is still ongoing, the excitement has died down now that the most coveted players have found homes. The Green Bay Packers landed former 49ers guard Aaron Banks and former Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs, both expected to be key contributors in 2025.
The additions came as somewhat of a surprise, as many expected the team to target a premier pass rusher or pursue a legitimate No.1 receiver. Instead, Green Bay reached a deal with veteran wide receiver and return specialist Mecole Hardman as a second-wave depth signing on Tuesday, suggesting they will use draft capital to improve their defensive line and receiver room.
The 2025 NFL Draft is a little over a month away, so we are inching closer to the Packers' preferred method for acquiring talent. To celebrate, below you will find a seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator.
Let's look at each selection and discuss why they make sense for Green Bay.
It's no secret that the Packers' defensive interior fell short of expectations in 2024. Kenny Clark struggled to produce, Devonte Wyatt battled injuries, and Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden failed to take the next step in their development.
With reinforcement needed, Harmon was an easy choice as one of the best defensive tackles in this year's class. The Oregon defensive tackle checks a lot of boxes for what the Packers look for at the position in terms of size, athleticism, and production. During his final season, he led the Ducks with 55 pressures and also racked up 32 defensive stops, including 5.0 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Harmon is a versatile, three-down lineman who could have an immediate impact on Green Bay's defensive front.
After missing out on all the big-name edge rushers in free agency, the Packers need to address the position to improve their four-man pass rush.
Tuimoloau makes a lot of sense as someone to compete for snaps opposite Rashan Gary. Tuimoloau has plenty of speed and power to make splash plays as a pass-rusher and run defender. In four seasons with the Buckeyes, he racked up 144 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, and 23.5 sacks.
Tuimoloau is an ascending player coming off a career-year in which he posted 12.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. Green Bay hopes former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness can make a big jump in 2024, but Tuimoloau would be good insurance in case that doesn't happen.
The Packers love a Senior Bowl standout, especially at wide receiver. Just look at Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks as two recent examples who ended up in Green Bay.
Royals not only had a good week down in Mobile but was one of the big winners to come out of the NFL Scouting Combine. Royals showcased his elite speed, running the 40 in 4.42 seconds and met the Packers' size requirements, measuring 6-0, 205 lbs.
As a player, Royals has the vertical speed to fill in for an injured Christian Watson and the run-after-catch ability to be a dynamic weapon for Jordan Love. Over the last two seasons, he caught 21 passes that traveled 20+ yards in the air and forced 33 missed tackles.
Green Bay will likely part ways with former Louisville corner Jaire Alexander, but they could always add another early on Day 3.
Riley is an instinctive and competitive player with elite ball skills. He hauled in eight interceptions and broke up 27 passes over three seasons at Louisville. He may not be the biggest or strongest corner, but Riley has some elite coverage skills the Packers could use in their secondary.
With TJ Slaton headed to the Bengals, the Packers are in need of a true run-stuffing defensive tackle to clog up the middle. At 6-4, 302 lbs, Smith is a physically imposing defensive tackle who would be perfect for the role. Smith has the anchor to take on double teams and is best suited as an early-down run defender, much like Slaton was for Green Bay over the past four seasons.
The Packers have an opening to fill at linebacker after losing veteran Eric Wilson to the Vikings. Buchanon is a gifted athlete with elite traits (9.62 RAS), as well as a sure tackler who posted a missed tackle rate of just 9.2% in 2024. At the very least, he will be a great candidate for special teams.
Green Bay likes their receivers to be tall, big, and fast. McCoy tips the scales at 6-2 1/2, 209 lbs, and has legit speed despite a hamstring injury preventing him from running the 40 at the combine or his pro day. He didn't have a ton of production at Tennessee, but McCoy fits the mold of the prototypical Packers receiver, making him worth a Day 3 flier.
Brian Gutekunst has taken at least one offensive lineman in six out of his seven drafts as the general manager. So, with the final pick, Cooper is an experienced option with 36 starts at left tackle. He has areas in his game that need some work, but Cooper's upside to be a future swing tackle makes Green Bay a perfect landing spot as a franchise known for turning Day 3 linemen into viable players.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 7-round mock draft following free agency moves
Continue reading...
The additions came as somewhat of a surprise, as many expected the team to target a premier pass rusher or pursue a legitimate No.1 receiver. Instead, Green Bay reached a deal with veteran wide receiver and return specialist Mecole Hardman as a second-wave depth signing on Tuesday, suggesting they will use draft capital to improve their defensive line and receiver room.
The 2025 NFL Draft is a little over a month away, so we are inching closer to the Packers' preferred method for acquiring talent. To celebrate, below you will find a seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator.
Let's look at each selection and discuss why they make sense for Green Bay.
Round 1, Pick 23: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
It's no secret that the Packers' defensive interior fell short of expectations in 2024. Kenny Clark struggled to produce, Devonte Wyatt battled injuries, and Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden failed to take the next step in their development.
With reinforcement needed, Harmon was an easy choice as one of the best defensive tackles in this year's class. The Oregon defensive tackle checks a lot of boxes for what the Packers look for at the position in terms of size, athleticism, and production. During his final season, he led the Ducks with 55 pressures and also racked up 32 defensive stops, including 5.0 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Harmon is a versatile, three-down lineman who could have an immediate impact on Green Bay's defensive front.
Round 2, Pick 54: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
After missing out on all the big-name edge rushers in free agency, the Packers need to address the position to improve their four-man pass rush.
Tuimoloau makes a lot of sense as someone to compete for snaps opposite Rashan Gary. Tuimoloau has plenty of speed and power to make splash plays as a pass-rusher and run defender. In four seasons with the Buckeyes, he racked up 144 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, and 23.5 sacks.
Tuimoloau is an ascending player coming off a career-year in which he posted 12.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. Green Bay hopes former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness can make a big jump in 2024, but Tuimoloau would be good insurance in case that doesn't happen.
Round 3, Pick 87: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
The Packers love a Senior Bowl standout, especially at wide receiver. Just look at Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks as two recent examples who ended up in Green Bay.
Royals not only had a good week down in Mobile but was one of the big winners to come out of the NFL Scouting Combine. Royals showcased his elite speed, running the 40 in 4.42 seconds and met the Packers' size requirements, measuring 6-0, 205 lbs.
As a player, Royals has the vertical speed to fill in for an injured Christian Watson and the run-after-catch ability to be a dynamic weapon for Jordan Love. Over the last two seasons, he caught 21 passes that traveled 20+ yards in the air and forced 33 missed tackles.
Round 4, Pick 124: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Green Bay will likely part ways with former Louisville corner Jaire Alexander, but they could always add another early on Day 3.
Riley is an instinctive and competitive player with elite ball skills. He hauled in eight interceptions and broke up 27 passes over three seasons at Louisville. He may not be the biggest or strongest corner, but Riley has some elite coverage skills the Packers could use in their secondary.
Round 5, Pick 159: Tim Smith, DT, Alabama
With TJ Slaton headed to the Bengals, the Packers are in need of a true run-stuffing defensive tackle to clog up the middle. At 6-4, 302 lbs, Smith is a physically imposing defensive tackle who would be perfect for the role. Smith has the anchor to take on double teams and is best suited as an early-down run defender, much like Slaton was for Green Bay over the past four seasons.
Round 6, Pick 198: Teddye Buchanon, LB, California
The Packers have an opening to fill at linebacker after losing veteran Eric Wilson to the Vikings. Buchanon is a gifted athlete with elite traits (9.62 RAS), as well as a sure tackler who posted a missed tackle rate of just 9.2% in 2024. At the very least, he will be a great candidate for special teams.
Round 7, Pick 237: Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee
Green Bay likes their receivers to be tall, big, and fast. McCoy tips the scales at 6-2 1/2, 209 lbs, and has legit speed despite a hamstring injury preventing him from running the 40 at the combine or his pro day. He didn't have a ton of production at Tennessee, but McCoy fits the mold of the prototypical Packers receiver, making him worth a Day 3 flier.
Round 7, Pick 250: Dalton Cooper, OT, Oklahoma State
Brian Gutekunst has taken at least one offensive lineman in six out of his seven drafts as the general manager. So, with the final pick, Cooper is an experienced option with 36 starts at left tackle. He has areas in his game that need some work, but Cooper's upside to be a future swing tackle makes Green Bay a perfect landing spot as a franchise known for turning Day 3 linemen into viable players.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 7-round mock draft following free agency moves
Continue reading...
