With the majority of free agency out the way, attention now turns to the NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers’ draft strategy in recent years has been to take multiple players at positions of need. Which positions might they look to address?
Edge Rusher
Lots of Packers fans wanted Green Bay to sign or trade for a star edge rusher. Ultimately that didn’t materialize. This leaves them with the draft. The Packers projected front 4 are all former first round picks. Rashan Gary has been admittedly underwhelming since his return from his ACL injury. Meanwhile, Lukas Van Ness has been poor generating only 7 sacks over his first two years. The position clearly needs to be addressed, so who could the Packers take?
There are a number of prospects who could be available for the Packers to take at 23. Mike Green out of Marshall is currently 21 on Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects. Green had 17 sacks in 2024 for the Thundering Herd. However, given recent mocks, it seems that the Packers would need to trade up to ensure they can grab the star Rusher.
James Pearce Jr. is another option. The Vol’s rusher has character concerns heading into the draft, but has been in Green Bay for the Packers top 30 visits. Pearce has 17.5 sacks over the last two years. He also has a 9.32u RAS score. We know Brian Gutekunst loves athletic prospects (e.g. LVN), so Pearce definitely fits the mold the Packers’ draft in the first round. See Joseph Vanadia‘s discussion on Pearce here in his prospect primer.
Other names that have been linked to the Packers or make sense are: Shemar Stewart, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Jack Sawyer. The Packers could also address the issue on day 2. If the Packers’ draft Sawyer, this would more likely be in the second round.
Interior Defensive Line
Kenny Clark massively regressed last year, and Devonte Wyatt has yet to reach his potential. The Packers also lots T.J. Slaton in free agency, leaving a gaping hole in the Packers rush defence. In a deep defensive lineman draft, the Green Bay Packers should definitely address the position. This could seem them follow their previous tactics of taking multiple players at a position of need, like they did with safety in 2024. So which players make sense for Green Bay?
Two names consistently linked to the Packers are Derrick Harmon out of Oregon, and Kenneth Grant out of Michigan. Both players have shown flashes but have room for improvement. Both are strong run stoppers, which instantly fills the Packers need. The Packers’ draft from big schools, especially in the first round. Taking a player from two of the best college teams over the last two years certainly would tick that box.
As it is such a deep D-line draft, the Packers may look to the position in the later rounds, but expect one taken by the end of day 2. Tyleik Williams, Walter Nolan and Shemar Turner are all players the Packers could pick early on day 2.
See Ross Uglem’s deep dive into Tyleik Williams on the Daily Draft.
Wide Receiver
This is the only position we’ll talk about today that the Packers’ draft in the later rounds. The Green Bay Packers haven’t selected a first round receiver since 2002. This does not mean they won’t take one in the first round of this years draft. With Christian Watson out for the year, Doubs having injury concerns, and Reed and Wicks failing to take a step forward, the Packers may look to add a new piece to their young offence.
There are four receivers that constantly seem to fall towards the end of the first round in the national mock drafts: Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka. All three would make an impact for the Packers. Golden and Burden III both fill the Christian Watson-sized hole. Meanwhile McMillan would add a different sort of receiver into the Packers receiver room, whilst Egbuka would be the most similar to what they already have.
As for the receivers in the later rounds. Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins from Iowa State, Xavier Restrepo, Tre Harris, Jack Bech, Tez Johnson and Jalen Royals are all Packers’ type wideouts who will be available on day 2. I expect the Packers to take at least one of these receivers in rounds 2 or 3 of the draft, and use pick 23 to address a more urgent need.
Cornerback
The final position the Green Bay Packers’ draft should address early is cornerback. Green Bay recently signed Nate Hobbs, who is a strong slot corner. However, they are still lacking an elite talent on the outside. Nixon has been good but can be a little grabby at times, and Valentine is decent starter, but there is definitely room to improve the group.
In his recent mock draft, Daniel Jeremiah had the Packers’ draft Maxwell Hairston. Hairston ran a 4.28s 40 yard dash at the combine and would add some much need speed to the Packers’ secondary. He is slightly below their usual threshold in terms of weight but has been slowly adding weight since the end of the college season, recently posting a weight of 193 lbs on his socials.
Michigan corner Will Johnson has recently been dropping down draft boards. He would be a big steal for the Packers at 23 if he was to fall to him. It would be hard to imagine Brian Gutekunst passing on the opportunity to take a highly talented DB from a quality school. Johnson has good anticipation and attacks the ball carrier. This matches what second year DC Jeff Hafley would love to have in his backfield.
Other corners available in the first two rounds include Trey Amos, Azareye’h Thomas, Shavon Revel Jr. and Nohl Williams. Having spent money at the position in free agency the Packers’ may look elsewhere early in the draft, but don’t be shocked if they used a top 100 pick to grab a corner.
Overview
In reality the Packer’s don’t have any glaring needs, but all of the above positions should be addressed at some point by the Packers. Even if they don’t get stars at the position they could do with some additional depth. Other positions that might be addressed are MLB, OL (depth) and TE(blocking).
