The NFL Combine begins this week, and in the NFL world, that means the Green Bay Packers will be very active.

The Combine is designed to evaluate invited draft-eligible prospects ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Players interview with teams, participate in on-field drills, and undergo medical evaluations in Indianapolis over several days.

But, that’s not the only thing happening.

You can only imagine the conversations taking place between coaches and general managers during this time. The entire NFL is essentially in one location for a week. Teams are talking. Talks about the frameworks for trades will occur. Some deals get traction — others quietly die. Whether anything materializes immediately or not, groundwork is being laid.

Here’s what’s specifically on the docket for Packers fans:

No First-Round Pick — And Why It Matters

Green Bay doesn’t have a first-round pick. I know — I’ve probably beaten that point into the ground. But it matters.

The Combine is often about finalizing opinions on top-tier prospects. For the Packers, it’s more about identifying value in the middle rounds. That’s where their focus has to be. Fortunately, this year’s draft appears to have strong depth in those ranges — which lines up well with the picks Green Bay currently holds.

And let’s be honest — this roster has holes to fill.

What Packers Fans Should Watch

If you’re tuning in, here’s how the on-field schedule lines up — and where it connects to Green Bay’s needs:

Thursday – Defensive Line & Linebackers
This should grab your attention. While linebacker isn’t out of the question, the big bodies along the interior defensive line should be a major focus in this draft. Improving in the trenches is critical.

Friday – Defensive Backs & Tight Ends
Tight end likely isn’t a pressing need, but cornerback absolutely is. Don’t be surprised if the Packers double up at corner in this class. So, Friday could be one of the more important days for evaluating potential fits.

Saturday – Quarterbacks, Running Backs & Wide Receivers
These positions may not be top priorities, but you never truly know. I do expect Green Bay to draft a quarterback at some point — perhaps on Day 3 — so watching how the passers perform could be worthwhile.

Sunday – Offensive Line
This is another area of need, especially on the interior. I’d expect the Packers to address guard or center early in their draft process, and they’ll almost certainly add tackle depth as well.

Other Notes

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst will speak to the media Tuesday. Expect questions about athletic thresholds — because time and time again, Green Bay has prioritized high-level athletic traits in its draft selections.

If you’re feeling extra nerdy, keep an eye on players’ Relative Athletic Scores (RAS). A quick way to track that is by following Kent Lee Platte (better known as @MathBomb on X), who compiles official RAS data as testing numbers come in.

Because if there’s one thing we know about the Packers…

And you know, they love their athletes.

As always,

Go Pack Go!

Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.

——————