2025 NFL Draft - Football Thread

[BF004]

Figured we should split the draft thread into two this year.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

[Labrev]

DJ has us taking Josh Simmons – OT, tOSU.

My pick would have been the Toledo DT, Golden, or Ebuka in that order (of the players that went R1 in his mock and were available at 23).

[BF004]

Let’s ask Grok 3.0

Who will the Packers draft?

As of February 21, 2025, it’s impossible to predict with certainty who the Green Bay Packers will draft in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. However, I can provide an informed overview based on the team’s current needs, draft position, and trends from mock drafts and analyses.

### Current Draft Position and Picks
The Packers are set to pick 23rd overall in the first round, following their 11-6 record and wild-card playoff loss in 2024. They are projected to have eight total picks in the 2025 draft, including one in each round (1st through 7th) and one compensatory seventh-round pick for losing offensive tackle Yosh Nijman in free agency last offseason. The exact positions of picks beyond the first round are still unofficial until compensatory picks are finalized in March, but they’ll likely include selections around No. 55 (second round), No. 87 (third round), and so on, alternating with the Los Angeles Chargers based on their similar records.

### Team Needs
The Packers’ primary needs entering the draft, based on their 2024 performance and roster changes, include:

1. **Cornerback (CB)**: Uncertainty surrounds Jaire Alexander’s injury history, and Eric Stokes is a free agent in 2025. The team needs depth and potentially a starter at this position.
2. **Pass Rush/Edge Rusher**: After trading Preston Smith midseason in 2024, the Packers struggled to generate consistent pressure (ranking 22nd in pressure rate at 29.8%). They could target an edge rusher or interior defensive lineman to bolster their front.
3. **Wide Receiver (WR)**: Christian Watson’s ACL tear in 2024 will likely sideline him for much of the 2025 season, creating a need for a speedy, reliable target to complement Jordan Love and the receiving corps. However, some analysts note the 2025 receiver class may lack the size and speed profile Green Bay typically prioritizes (e.g., 6’0”, 200+ pounds, 4.4-second 40-yard dash or faster).
4. **Safety or Linebacker**: While the team signed Xavier McKinney, they lost depth at safety (Darnell Savage) and could use additional linebacker support, depending on free agency moves.
5. **Offensive Line Depth**: Though they addressed the line in 2024 with Jordan Morgan, maintaining protection for Jordan Love remains a priority.

General Manager Brian Gutekunst tends to prioritize athleticism, versatility, and players with size and speed, often targeting defense in early rounds (five of his seven first-round picks since 2018 have been defensive players). Free agency, starting in March, could shift these needs, but current mock drafts and analyses provide a starting point.

### Mock Draft Projections (First Round, Pick 23)
Recent mock drafts and posts on X suggest several potential targets for the Packers at No. 23, with a heavy focus on defense due to the team’s needs and Gutekunst’s tendencies:

- **Cornerbacks**:
- **Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)**: A popular projection due to his size (6’0”, 196 lbs), athleticism, and coverage skills, despite a hip injury cutting short his 2024 season. Multiple sources, including posts on X and articles, highlight him as a fit for Green Bay’s need at cornerback.
- **Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)**: Noted for his length and athleticism, though he’s recovering from an ACL injury. He’s mentioned in some mock drafts as a potential pick if he falls to No. 23.
- **Jahdae Barron (Texas)**: Described as a well-rounded corner with slot and outside experience, addressing Green Bay’s need at the position.

- **Pass Rush/Defensive Line**:
- **James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)**: An edge rusher with high potential, though his stock has fluctuated due to inconsistent production against top competition. Some mocks suggest he could slide to No. 23.
- **Deone Walker (Kentucky)** or **Kenneth Grant (Michigan)**: Large, athletic defensive tackles who could bolster the interior line, aligning with Green Bay’s interest in big, physical defenders.

- **Wide Receiver**:
- **Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)**: A potential target if available, though he’s often mocked earlier. He fits the size (6’1”, 205 lbs) and speed profile Green Bay prefers, but the receiver class is considered thin at the top for their specific criteria.
- **Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)**: Mentioned in some mocks (e.g., posts on X) as a second-round possibility, but not a consensus first-round pick for Green Bay.

Many mock drafts lean toward defense, with seven of eight recent mocks on platforms like Acme Packing Company suggesting a defensive player (cornerback or pass rusher) in the first round. This aligns with Gutekunst’s history of prioritizing defense early and the team’s current roster gaps. However, some analysts note the Packers might consider a wide receiver if a player like Egbuka or Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) falls, though McMillan is typically projected higher.

### Challenges and Uncertainties
- **Receiver Class Limitations**: The 2025 wide receiver class is reportedly lacking in the size, speed, and production Green Bay typically targets (e.g., players like Christian Watson or previous picks). Only a handful of receivers meet their physical thresholds (6’0”, 200+ lbs, sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash), and top prospects like McMillan are unlikely to be available at No. 23.
- **Injuries and Combine Impact**: Players like Morrison, Revel Jr., and Pearce Jr. have injury concerns (hip, ACL) that could affect their draft stock. The NFL Scouting Combine (late February 2025) and pro days will significantly influence projections.
- **Free Agency**: The Packers could address needs like cornerback, pass rush, or receiver in free agency (starting March 2025), potentially altering their draft strategy.
- **Gutekunst’s Approach**: The GM is known for value-based drafting and occasionally trading up or down. He might target the best player available at No. 23 rather than strictly filling a need, especially if a high-value prospect falls.

### Conclusion
While it’s speculative, the most likely scenario based on current mock drafts and team needs is that the Packers select a cornerback like Benjamin Morrison or a pass rusher like James Pearce Jr. at No. 23, given their defensive priorities and Gutekunst’s tendencies. A wide receiver like Emeka Egbuka could be in play if he unexpectedly drops, but the receiver class’s limitations make this less certain. Beyond the first round, they might target a receiver (e.g., Jalen Royals from Utah State) or additional defensive help in later rounds.

For a definitive answer, we’ll need to wait until April 2025, after free agency, the Combine, and pro days provide more clarity. If you’d like, I can monitor updates or provide deeper analysis on specific positions or prospects as more information becomes available!

[BF004]

[Yoop]

cast off OL often make it for their second team, IMO they and DT take about 3 seasons to reach there ceiling, with OL it's a brain thing, with DT's it's that damn pad level Big Mikey always talked about

[RingoCStarrQB]

I was hoping to see Big Mikey stroll the sidelines next season. Always was entertaining to watch Jerruh up there with his son while Mikey was down there with his headset. Always wondered if Jerrah could speed dial Mikey during the game.

[BF004]

I was hoping to see Big Mikey stroll the sidelines next season. Always was entertaining to watch Jerruh up there with his son while Mikey was down there with his headset. Always wondered if Jerrah could speed dial Mikey during the game.

It’s been a slow starting thread, so thank for helping seed the nfl draft thread with some very relevant draft discussion.

[RingoCStarrQB]

Gonna have to find some free agent talent to complement the draft. At least 2. Wonder if the Canadian Football League has anyone worth pursuing?

[BF004]

[Yoop]

combine starts thursday 004, thats usually when draft threads become busier, your graph there shows why I want WR's every other draft class, there costly to keep, and there are usually plenty in every draft class, not so with DT's, the good ones are so few, and that's why they get the big money.

this draft class has a bunch rated as high quality, and we need another, Kenny Clark looks over the hill now.

didn't we have a thread donated to our positions of need last year, or was that the year prior? always thought those generated a lot of traffic and discussion.

[Yoop]

combine opinions, I brought defense, but the article covers more

10. How deep is this defensive class?
Last year's draft was a bad one for defensive players. For the first time no defensive player went in the top 10. The first one taken was UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 15. This year's class is better. Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter seem to be sure-fire top-five picks, and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham might be too. We'll get a better idea at the combine which players who didn't have the best college production but have great physical attributes, like pass rushers Mykel Williams of Georgia or Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M, could be first-round picks. Perhaps some off-the-ball linebackers like Jihaad Campbell or Carson Schwesinger can impress. There are some interesting cornerbacks and talented safeties too. Some good workouts on the defensive side would make this draft class seem a little deeper.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/articl ... 25878.html

[lupedafiasco]

I am really looking forward to the combine to help me sort out the WR position. I truly believe this is the most garbage WR class I’ve ever seen. There’s a few guys I like but they’re going so high in the consensus vs where I believe they should go.

[go pak go]

I am really looking forward to the combine to help me sort out the WR position. I truly believe this is the most garbage WR class I’ve ever seen. There’s a few guys I like but they’re going so high in the consensus vs where I believe they should go.

Agreed. Only guy I really like that is a day 2 guy so far is Royals. A few nice ones up top but not much after that.

[Labrev]

Royals, Higgins, Tre Smith, that Stanford boi... there's some decent Day 2 options.

It is a weak receiver class, but so was S last year yet we came away from it with nice players there. Sometimes a weak class means you can get better value, because teams are more focused on drafting the other positions that guys at weaker positions fall through the cracks more.

[BF004]

Forgot about that weird trade the vikings did last year, giving up their 2nd (42 I think?) and their 2025 2nd and stuff, to get the Texans pick 23 and a 2025 5th.

Then they also gave up their 2025 3rd and 4th round picks to move up from 23 to 17 to take Dallas Turner last year.

They gave up their 2025 6th and 7th round picks for Zadarius Smith in 2023.

Long story short, the Vikings now only have picks in rounds 1, 5 and 5.


They moreorless gave up 2024 pick 42, their 2025 2nd, 3rd and 4th, to get Dallas Turner (12 pressures on 302 snaps).


They are expected to get a 3rd round comp pick for Kirk Cousins however. So a 1, very late 3rd, and a 5 and a 5.

[BF004]

Also weird thing that almost never seems to happen, as of now, every team has their own first round pick.

[NCF]

Damn.

[lupedafiasco]

How the hell do you walk let alone run at that weight.

[Yoop]

How the hell do you walk let alone run at that weight.

he bulked up 20 lbs in the off season,and still burned sub 6.0 40, he's a RB disguised as a defensive lineman, got a first down running last year, he's a refrigerator on steroids

someone will use a late round pick on him, probably a 3-4 defense at NT, 2 gapping, 25 inch vertical, 31 bench reps

https://brobible.com/sports/article/des ... rojection/

[lupedafiasco]

he's a refrigerator on steroids

More like mayonnaise.