Don’t Expect Packers to Take First-Round Wide Receiver in 2025
The Packers are likely to stick to their tried and tested strategy of adding to the receiver room on day two, rather than ending the first-round drought.
By markoldacres
Did you know the Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002? You probably did.
Every year, and especially of late, the thirst for a receiver to be drafted in the first round grows among a section of Green Bay’s fan base, who seem convinced it is the answer to winning a Super Bowl.
But those who have their hopes up for the Packers finally ending the drought in 2025 are likely to be left disappointed
Although general manager Brian Gutekunst has publicly stated they have no issue taking a receiver in the first round (it seems like they wanted to in 2020, in the form of either Justin Jefferson or Brandon Aiyuk), the top end of this class does not have what they want or need.
The receivers projected to be taken in the first-round range this year are Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden. McMillan is not making it to pick 2023, and is a likely top-10 pick, so that just leaves Golden, Egbuka, and Burden.
Both Egbuka and Burden played more than 81% of their snaps in 2024 in the slot, and the Packers already have a designated slot receiver, whom they spent a second-round pick on, in Jayden Reed.
Golden is more of an outside receiver, playing an average of 80% of his career snaps on the perimeter, but he may be too small for them to take in the first round.
In terms of boundary receivers, rather than ones who were drafted to play in the slot, the Packers have not drafted a receiver in the Gutekunst era shorter than 6’0 ⅝”, Golden is 5’11 on the nose.
Green Bay has not drafted a perimeter receiver in the first three rounds who weighs less than 197 lbs since at least the start of the Ted Thompson era. Golden tips the scales at 191 lbs.
Depending on the source you decide to use, the team has not drafted an outside receiver in any round with arms shorter than 31” since Thompson took over, and in Gutekunst’s tenure, that raised to 31 ⅞”. Golden’s arms are just over 30 ⅗”.
They like big, long receivers, and Golden is not that. He is not Tank Dell or Tez Johnson by any means, but he is not their usual type, and has a ‘poor’ size grade by using the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) scale.
The good news is that the Packers have a strong track record of drafting receivers outside the first round, specifically on day two, and this year’s draft class lines up nicely with that strategy, at least in terms of the types of receivers Green Bay usually targets.
Tre Harris, Elic Ayomanor, Jayden Higgins, Jack Bech, and Jalen Royals are all projected to be drafted in round two or three, and all fit the mold of a Packers receiver, not only in terms of size and athleticism, but also production, which is something they care about at that position.
Any one of those players could step into the receiver room and provide competition for Green Bay’s group of young, talented receivers whose progress somewhat stalled in 2024.
With Christian Watson out for a chunk of the season as he recovers from injury, and like Romeo Doubs, in a contract year, the Packers are likely to add to the position at some point during the draft, and as has been the case in the past, day two could be the sweet spot.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (56)
TKWorldWide
March 17, 2025 at 07:10 am
What are the metrics for “gets open” and “really good hands”?
Giddy up! The draft gets closer every day!
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 11:04 am
Ok, I agree, it’s time to start looking at prospects in a little more deeply than much of the chatter to date. What I see is depth of options through the draft. Running with your question, if you want yards per route run against both zone and man coverage, then the clear outlier is Dont’e Thornton Jr. his draft class ranks: 2nd in Zone YPRR, 3rd in Man YPRR, 3rd in Career YPRR. He’s a deep threat X too. 6’5” and runs a 4.3. None of the best on this metric are projected to go in the first.
A mid to late mid round projection, Thornton is really good getting off the line although can be caused problems by really physical corners. Very physical at the catch point. He pretty much just ran vertical routes, so a deep threat X of the MVS role type coming in. Like MVS, he’s not very agile post catch or sudden changing direction, wins with burst not evasion. Like MVS, his production is less because his role was limited in terms of volume. He’d replace Watson, at least as a deep threat, but he might never be too much more.
After him Tre Harris: draft class ranks: 8th in Zone YPRR, 1st in Man YPRR, 1st in Career YPRR. Another X, smaller: 6’2” 200. Great catch area. Tracks the ball well and finds space naturally. Not particularly fast, 4.54. Blocks well and is physical as a blocker and at the catch point. More a long strider. He’s a guy that has run mostly vertical routes to date, so route tree work necessary but a fit for the Watson role early. Probably a 3rd or maybe 4th rounder.
Jayden Higgins, whom many love is probably next: 6th in Zone YPRR, 11th in Man YPRR, 4th in Career YPRR, nice height at 6’4, ok 40 at 4.47. Great hands and catch radius, poor blocker. Has issues separating against physical corners at times. He’s not very physical at all despite his size. Good at getting open and surprisingly elusive post catch for a long strider. I wonder if his lack of physicality takes him off our board more than that of others. Probably a second round pick.
If you want an outlier prospect who is a true late rounder, check out Elijhah Badger, who is a late 3rd day rated option at present. He transferred due to academic ineligibility in his last year. He’s not elite fast, 4.43 but good 10 yards. Has good hands, needs work on his blocking. He’s not big at 6’2”, 200 pounds, but wins by burst and quick twitch. Gets separation consistently. Could be my sleeper pick hope this year.
On this metric, the higher profile player to definitely avoid is Isiah Bond. A lightning fast small slot who is noticeably not good on either performance metric compared to his peers.
LLCHESTY
March 18, 2025 at 02:51 am
I think they need to look at man beating WRs and in that aspect you missed my guy Royals. From the Packers Wire article on WRs with that ability the Packers might be interested in:
So which receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft are the best at beating man coverage? Over the last two seasons, here are the top 10 draft-eligible receivers in Y/RR against man coverage, who also fit what the Packers generally like at the position in terms of size, athleticism and production:
Tre Harris - Ole Miss - 6.94
Tetairoa McMillan - Arizona - 3.72
Tory Horton - Colorado State - 3.18
Luther Burden - Missouri - 3.15
Jalen Royals - Utah State - 2.93
Jayden Higgins - Iowa State - 2.81
Nick Nash - San Jose State - 2.49
Roc Taylor - Memphis - 2.44
Ja'Corey Brooks - Louisville - 2.43
Pat Bryant - Illinois - 2.39
By using the percentage of a player's targets which came against man coverage to weight these numbers, giving credit to those who have faced man coverage more often, the top 10 of man-beaters becomes:
Tre Harris - Ole Miss
Tetairoa McMillan - Arizona
Jalen Royals - Utah State
Nick Nash - San Jose State
Luther Burden - Missouri
Pat Bryant - Illinois
Jayden Higgins - Iowa State
Tory Horton - Colorado State
Andrew Armstrong - Arkansas
I'm not buying into the Thornton hype because I haven't heard a good reason for his low production and why he played so little at Oregon or Tennessee. If he was so good why wasn't he on the field more? He played in all 13 games for Tennessee and was on the field for 187 passing snaps. That's a huge red flag. I see PFF moved him up to 199 on their big board. IMO he's got Derrius Heyward-Bey written all over him, but at least he won't be taken in the 1st round.
stockholder
March 18, 2025 at 06:19 am
The 2024 WR talk last year =
Jermaine Burton- 6'0 196 lbs-Alabama
possesses easy speed and smoothly accelerates off the line. He's a threat to get behind the coverage on vertical routes and pull away after the catch. He led the SEC -- and ranked sixth in the FBS -- in yards per catch in 2023. Burton has big hands to pluck the ball etc.
His over -all rank was #150 and went in the 3rd
The Packers wanted him. Brought him in. Gute took Defense.
This guy is your measuring stick. Size won't matter. .
Comparison -- LUTHUER BURDEN III
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 10:21 am
“I'm not buying into the Thornton hype because I haven't heard a good reason for his low production and why he played so little at Oregon or Tennessee.”
I already signaled why I believe that was the case:
“He pretty much just ran vertical routes, so a deep threat X of the MVS role type coming in. Like MVS, he’s not very agile post catch or sudden changing direction, wins with burst not evasion. Like MVS, his production is less because his role was limited in terms of volume. He’d replace Watson at least as a deep threat, but he might never be too much more.”
It was my not my intention to set out all options, just to point out the identity, and brief pros and cons, of some who consistently achieved separation against both press and man as an X on response to a prior post. One dimensional receivers in coverage terms are a problem, at least outside of the slot.
Thornton is a later round caliber role player. He’s also the type who is at risk of being over drafted on physical traits. He’s a better blocker than Royals, more physical generally.
Royals has more long term upside. He’s got much more ability to cut, change direction but is a poor blocker in terms of both effort and outcome. He brings much more potential to expand his route tree and utility. He is not as tall. If he can expand his route tree and technique, he might one day do well at Doubs’ position. He’s not strong against press coverage at all, even against lesser significantly lesser competition. Maybe a better long term pick, but not to help us replace Watson now. Also a 3rd day pick in my view.
stockholder
March 18, 2025 at 10:53 am
There was a Change in the passing game.
The hands are like MVS, so you got that right.
The packers have talked to Royals.
His foot operation/ injury is why he dropped.
If the packers get him in the 3rd it's a steal.
Your idea of replacing Watson is wrong.
Watson has too much talent to replace.
The drops last year were the problem.
Drafting Depth sends a message.
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 10:57 am
Royals catching is not that great, though I think the issue is primarily concentration. Their catching is not very different, although Thornton is much better at contested catches and is good at comeback routes. Both are better than MVS.
Neither replace Watson like for like. Thornton offers a credible size/speed threat for next year who can and will block. He was listed first because he was the best overall at the metrics discussed, not my suggestion as the best or first pick. The point I had in mind was to suggest that there are options after round one that are intriguing, while pointing out that none are perfect on paper.
That said, Thornton might be the best fit on paper that we can hope for to fill the Watson deep threat and blocking X role void this year. This year, Watson really didn’t show he’s yet expanded much beyond that either. Blocking is key to that role. Watson may not be back next year either as he will be a FA. Thornton is a better blocking MVS though, not an answer to our pursuit of a new Adams/Nelson/jennings.
splitpea1
March 17, 2025 at 11:11 am
Totally agree. This preoccupation with metrics and measurements is getting a bit tiresome. I get the impression from some of these articles that the Packers are a modeling agency, not a football team. There are plenty of productive receivers in the NFL that don't meet the listed thresholds in either size or weight, so I don't see why we need to these limiting factors when we're ready to draft one.
murf7777
March 18, 2025 at 07:36 am
There’s always the chance a small received becomes great like Tyreek, but if you go by percentage of success, you draft the bigger WR. ….It makes sense and that is why Green Bay is picking the player based on the highest potential of success.
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 11:22 am
A successful small receiver at either perimeter position, not merely as an X, is a rare beast indeed and most short lived. Hill is a real outlier as a small WR who has shone most brightly on the perimeters. His speed, burst and elusiveness is simply so good he breaks the curve. Once in a generation maybe.
Guam
March 17, 2025 at 07:23 am
I really don't care what round it happens in, just add a talented WR. Watson has missed time due to injury in several seasons and Doubs has a potential career ending problem with concussions. The Packers need to add talent to this group. I wouldn't mind seeing them add two including a day three pick.
T7Steve
March 17, 2025 at 07:40 am
Do you think the best second round ones will be there when it comes around to the Packers pick? Will they have to settle or reach?
Guam
March 17, 2025 at 08:19 am
Not enough of a draftnik to know how the WRs will fall. I trust Gute to move around if need be to get his guy. Wouldn't be surprised if he trades a fourth rounder and a high pick to move up.
stockholder
March 17, 2025 at 12:04 pm
Two #1s will get them the top one.
WD
March 17, 2025 at 07:43 am
One thing is certain. You never know what Gute will do with the first pick. And, if history serves me his record on first round picks has sometimes been shocking. For example last year not taking what most experts thought he would take: Cooper De jean. Yet ,on 2nd round picks he has been a superstar e.g Christian Watson and Ederrin Cooper. Maybe they should consider trading down and getting a high second and a third or fourth.
Let's be honest. Christian Watson will likely will be out for the majority of the season and he seems to just be injury prone. The Packer offense suffered greatly when he was out. That is just a matter of fact.
They failed to bring in a WR receiver in free agency so either Bo Melton is the replacement or they need to draft a premier WR. If Golden is there at 23 it would hardly be a reach. This is a guy who consistently gets open has blazing speed to out run any CB and has great hands. If ever there was a year to use your first pick on a WR it is this year! In my opinion.
KenEllis
March 17, 2025 at 09:06 am
""on 2nd round picks [Gutey] has been a superstar."
The terms bust, JAG, and over-drafted come to mind for Packer 2nd round picks Josh Jackson (2018), AJ Dillon (2020), and Josh Myers (2021).
Regarding 2023 2nd round pick Luke Musgrave and 2022 2nd round pick Christian Watson (actually two 2nd round picks) injury-prone and underwhelming fit. (Watson has caught fewer than 100 passes in his 3 seasons in GB, and did not catch 30 passes in either 2023 or 2024).
As for the GM who used six 2nd round picks to draft Jackson, Dillon, Myers, Musgrave, and Watson, I can think of a lot of descriptors but SUPERSTAR would not be one of them. Not even close.
TKWorldWide
March 17, 2025 at 09:46 am
This^^^
To say that past performance guarantees future results is foolhardy.
“Gute does horribly in the third round”
“Gute always nails it in the second round”
To these I say “Poppycock!”
And while I’m at it, I’ll throw another ridonkulous one on the pile:
“There is no way Gute trades out of the first round with the draft being held in Green Bay’”
Wanna bet?
(And if you have ‘foolhardy’, ‘poppycock’, and ‘ridonkulous’ on your Bingo card, bully for you!)
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 11:11 am
Dillon was a guy who was available for games and practices. He didn't turn it over. He could catch. He was assignment sure in pass protection, he was a good teammate. He touched the ball for us almost 700 times for a 4.7 yards average. All as our #2 RB behind a guy who was really good.
That's the standard for 'bust', or 'JAG'?? Over drafted according to who? Some internet draft board?
I don't understand how the Packers ever win any games. The CEO is a clueless usurper, the GM is a poor drafter, the HC is over his head, the staff needs to be replaced, and most of our players aren't any good.
I've heard " Rodgers carries us, we're lucky, we play in a weak division, and all of our wins come against teams that aren't very good."""
Can somebody...anybody...actually explain how we keep going to the playoffs?
Gravedigger93
March 17, 2025 at 02:42 pm
Actually Dillon's average is 4.1 yrds per. For last years RBs, there were at least 39 that averaged 4.1 or more (I stopped counting at 39). So drafted in the second round makes Dillon a bit of a disappointment. Love the guy, but just didn't live up to second round pick. Emanuel Wilson averaged 4.9 for us last year (undrafted I think).
Gutey is a verry good GM, his early round picks have just been a bit underwhelming. Look at his body of work over the first 3 rounds. I think he's done great in the later rounds and outstanding in FA acquisitions though. Just needs a first round pick to be an absolute stud from day one. Tough to do, lots of luck involved too.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 02:55 pm
His rushing average is 4.1 yards. Read more carefully. I said he averaged 4.7 yards/touch, which includes his receptions as well. You know who also averaged 4.7 yards per touch? Josh Jacobs, during his time with the Raiduhs. He had a career best 5.0 yards/touch last year. How many of those guys exceeded that threshhold? How many games did they miss? How many turnovers did they have?
He was an excellent #2 back. Always available, assignment sure, could block and catch, didn't turn it over, and averaged 4.7 yards/touch.
Gravedigger93
March 17, 2025 at 04:08 pm
Well, available until last year.
I think he was good, but his production really fell off in 2023 unfortunately. But we'll always have that game against the Titans in the snow. That was awesome.
The $ the Eagles gave him is really the best evaluation of his worth, done by professionals.
Brewcity_BearsFan
March 17, 2025 at 04:23 pm
I think Dillion was a sneaky great signing for Philly. Behind that line, and in concert with Barkley, there isn't a better fit for him. GB included.
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 06:01 pm
An extra 2 yards before contact would make a vast difference to Dillon. That’s what the eagles achieved on average over us last year. That’s also why we moved on from Myers to get a plus run blocker.
KenEllis
March 17, 2025 at 02:45 pm
Dillon was such a SUPERSTAR 2nd round pick that not 1 other NFL team wanted him after the 2023 season and the Eagles just signed him for peanuts.
The Pack last played in a Super Bowl 15 seasons ago.
The Pack has not won the NFC North since 2021 and are not favored to win it in 2025.
But yeah The Pack has the best GM in the NFL and everything is just fine ... as long as the fans don't care about competing for titles.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 03:02 pm
The Packers have made the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 seasons. Which teams have done better than that? They've won 68 games in six seasons . Which teams have done better than that?
Dillon was recovering last year, enjoy the gift the Packers gave him for being a good guy for the team as he got paid $2.5M. He was on our INJURED RESERVE list, which might help explain why he didn't get offers from other teams.
Now he's healthy and the Eagles signed him to back up Barkley. $2.5M. Peanuts, according to you. The Eagles could have signed pretty much any back up RB they wanted to . I wonder why they chose Dillon?
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The 15 years since a Super Bowl stuff is always amusing to me, because on average, you'd to the Super Bowl twice every 32 years and win one. We're well ahead of that.
You have to win enough regular season games to make the playoffs. We're 5 out of 6.
You have to advance on the first week of the playoffs to be in the final four of your conference. We're 4 out 6 there.If you win again, you get to play for a chance to play in the Conference Championship. We're 2 out of 6 there.
I know....it's a weak division, we're lucky, all of our wins come against bad teams. But I see a team that's consistently among the better teams in the conference.
PackerBackerAZ
March 17, 2025 at 05:31 pm
Too many fans are accepting of the Packers playoff futility. They actually are more about making the playoffs, going one or two and done, than winning a Super Bowl. My standards and expectations, for the Packers, are much higher than that. It really isn't a total Gutekunst problem. Murphy put the current organizational structure in place in 2018. Murphy is the one to blame for the Packers lack of Super Bowls. He hired LaFleur, Gutekunst and Ball. Gutekunst is a general manager in name only. Murphy is the actual general manager.
PackerBackerAZ
March 17, 2025 at 05:13 pm
Last season the Packers played a weak AFC South and NFC West schedule.
In 2023 Love played his best football over the last half of the season. He has since proven that to be an outlier.
Missed the playoffs in 2022.
2021 on back the Packers played in arguably the worst division in football.
Starting with this season you're not going to see the Packers in the playoffs for what appears to be a long stretch.
WD
March 18, 2025 at 02:31 pm
I specifically mentioned ILB Edgerin Cooper and WR Watson as great 2nd round picks. You must have put on your grumpy pants before responding . Who specifically would you want them to pick in the first round?
Geez , we are all on the same team here . What's with the five thumbs down ? I was just calling them as I see them. I grew up under Lombardi. Have a little respect. Furthermore, I think overall Gute has done a fantastic job, no one is perfect.
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Golden is intriguing, but I very much doubt he’s going to intrigue the Packers. Super fast and built like a slot but plays his best ball at X. He wins by elite speed, agility and burst though, and only that, that’s hard to do in the NFL, much harder than in college. At 5’11 and 191 he’s going to be an obvious target to press, and he struggled with physical corners in college. He’s also susceptible to being run off his route easily on simple routes like goes, if he can’t immediately separate. He is a very good route runner though to regain separation on other routes. What he is not is a blocker, either technically or willingly. I wonder if he will have durability issues in the NFL. I just don’t see him fitting a LaFleur system except as a slot. He’d have been great as a 3 or 4 option in early teens McCarthy’s. I just don’t see us taking him.
murf7777
March 17, 2025 at 07:47 am
If we have learned anything from Gutey he sticks pretty close to his measurable so, based on your analysis, it’s very doubtful he would take a WR in round one. My preference would be DL/EDGE player. There should be a very good one drop to them in the first round.
packer132
March 17, 2025 at 08:20 am
Murf: I agree with your thoughts. Most teams have 3 or 4 positional needs every year and I see the Packers with DT/Edge, WR, O line, and CB. Many say best player available, and I see several D tackles still there at #23 after the top few are picked. I would love Grant- Michigan or Harmon- Oregon but as we know, Gute will surprise us. A couple of teams with similar needs just before GB selects like Tampa and Chargers. Can't wait.
stockholder
March 17, 2025 at 01:58 pm
DB-
Racingdad
March 17, 2025 at 08:17 am
I don’t love the first rd options either I don’t beleive they really fit what gb needs . But if I had to choose it would be ebuka , I know we have reed but both him and ebuka can play outside . Ebuka can separate vs man coverage is fast and blocks well also great route runner. What should they do? Prob. Draft a d tackle or edge than maybe shoot for Higgins in second? But if we miss on him I’d go for Horton in third and Donta Thornton in forth or fifth - just my opinion
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 09:48 am
There’s a difference between can play and being effective outside. Reed has done almost all his damage from the slot and absent the odd surprise play, has not done much outside. I’m not sure Ebuka profiles well at the X. He’s about the same size as Doubs overall though and his elite trait is his route running. That doesn’t help us at X, which is the most obvious need.
However, if Doubs’ ongoing health is a question particularly, they may think it worth it as an upgrade. His most likely best position early is the slot though, which is pretty much all he’s played, and that may be the reason we pass.
Looking at this class and where we pick, I think it’s very unlikely that we take any WR in the first round and definitely not a slot anyway (we have 2 with speed now in Reed and Melton) even if we wanted to in an ideal world.
the_gavia_pass
March 17, 2025 at 08:32 am
last year he failed and it was a big failure not taking dejean.
so this years he will take a CB in the 1st round and another later
GregC
March 17, 2025 at 08:37 am
When the season ended, I thought this was the year they needed to go WR in the first round, but I've cooled off a little since then. From what I've read, DT may be the strongest position when they pick. But they may need to trade up in the second round to get their WR, like they did for Christian Watson. It's not an ideal scenario because you lose a pick when you trade up, and you have to find another team to trade with. But that's where we're at.
Racingdad
March 17, 2025 at 08:49 am
Greg. Maybe trade back in first gain a pick ?
GregC
March 17, 2025 at 08:58 am
That could happen too. Maybe even trade out of the first round, which would be funny with the draft in Green Bay.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Or, package Alexander with #23 to move up, grab Egbuka, and clear $7M from the cap that we can use to help extend Tom.
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Alexander is probably at best worth a 4th with his contract. That might bump us up to 21.
He is probably the best WR prospect in the draft. His blocking would be a significant weakness though. If we feel Doubs needs to be replaced then Egbuka makes some sense: that is the position he best profiles to. Yes, he has the ability to play some slot, but we have Reed and Melton as depth, both with speed. However, I’m not convinced he’s the biggest upgrade we could make unless we fear Doubs is done. If he falls, maybe. If not keep our picks even if we trade Alexander or another player. If we pick him we still probably need a size/speed X type.
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 10:01 am
I could see a trade back if there is no DE/DT left that they think has fallen below their value. I don’t see an OL or DB pick in the first after FA unless there’s a shock (to Gute) faller. I don’t see a WR that is a good enough fit and a high enough grade dropping either. There are likely other good DL options a little later this year, so, absent premium rated faller, trading back seems very possible this year given the crop at every position of need. More early mid round picks has a lot of appeal this year given what we all seem to think we may need.
ricky
March 17, 2025 at 08:56 am
The Packers have had good luck drafting WR's outside of the first round. The idea that drafting a player in the first round automatically means you get an immediate starter or game changer is disproved every year. The Packers are no exception. Take a look at some of the players drafted after the first round the last few years, and those taken in the first round.
The OL is almost exclusively guys taken after the first round. Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan. Catching the ball? Tucker Kraft. Also Reed, Doubs, Wicks, Watson, among others. On defense, Edgerrin Cooper was drafted in the second round, as was Javon Bullard, while Evan Williams was snagged in the fourth.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 09:12 am
I cannot argue with the logic of this. None of the guys that we are likely to have a shot at with pick #23 really fit what we'd like to have.
I don't think that adding another #2 WR to this group improves it over last year's group. I think if we're going to have a better offense this year, it's going to have to come from improvements from Reed and Wicks. And if we don't have a better offense this year, we're not going to advance in the playoffs.
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 10:09 am
I agree with your take on the draft reality. 23 gives us an outside chance that a premium player slips to us at a position of need. However, it’s not a particularly big chance to say the least. This is a draft that seems like it’s got a pretty large second tier group. It’s also likely to see a strikingly low number of QB picks early. That reduces the chance of a premier player we can’t pass on dropping significantly.
LambeauPlain
March 17, 2025 at 09:25 am
This is such an attractive draft to fortify the front lines! No problem if Gutey stays pat at 23. It will be a popular announcement for the locals!
What would not be popular in Lambeau Field would be to trade out of the first round with say NE for their #38/2nd and #69/3rd. But it would be good business.
The draft is not as star studded this year...but it seems to offer solid depth where the Packers would enjoy being deeper...not just for this season's depth, but also for 2026's needed replacements.
Banks and Hobbs were good gets. I still believe OL and CB are high on Gutey's Board. WR too. But the DL class looks too solid to pass by, doesn't it?
I can see the allure of having 4 selections in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to "prospect up" at all 4 positions for possible rookie starters...at least solid depth this season...and future starters for 2026 to manage through the large FA class then.
T7Steve
March 17, 2025 at 09:46 am
"But the DL class looks solid to pass by, doesn't it?"
If you meant "too solid to pass by" I'm with you all the way.
LambeauPlain
March 17, 2025 at 09:53 am
I did! Thanks, Steve. I corrected it.
Handsback
March 17, 2025 at 10:23 am
You know what doesn't mix; vinegar and oil, drinking and driving, and the Packers and 1st round receivers.
I bet, but not willing to bet the house, that the Packer's draft board is top heavy with pass rushing DTs, and strong edge rushers. You can probably bet a boundary CB is mixed into that list.
The good news....there are a lot of 2nd-4th round WR that will make an impact. My favorites are Royal, think of Sterling Sharpe. Higgins and Nash are both exciting players with Nash looking more like a Jordy Nelson type receiver.
So going with Vic's dime a dozen comment about receivers, I expect a Dline/ Edge to be first guy taken. Then everyone will say, " Green Bay missed the boat because WR xyz was available and they passed on him".
Just MHO
stockholder
March 17, 2025 at 11:47 am
I don't believe any one expects it.
But how many feel, " they won't make the play-offs" if they don't!
Reed got hurt ,and slacked off last year.
Competition can only bring out the best in all of them.
Emega Egbuka. is more than a slot player.
He'd be a starter.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 04:06 pm
I still think Egbuka is the guy. He's smart, he's poised, he blocks , he catches. I don't think there are very many WRs in this draft who could come in as a rookie and be an upgrade over Watson , but I do believe Egbuka is one.
We need about 40 snaps a game for 15 games, 600 yards of offense, a half dozen TDs. I'm not sure about a lot of these Day 2 guys, but I feel confident that Egbuka could give us this.
stockholder
March 17, 2025 at 05:29 pm
Exactly- on Egbuka
But the dumping of Alexander, still
has me thinking a CB will be his pick.
IMO 50/50 chance.
Gute will reach for Maxwell Hairston.
Leatherhead
March 18, 2025 at 10:31 am
I think Gutekunst has re-thought the wisdom of spending high draft picks on DBs who are hurt a lot. Better to use those picks on guys who'll actually be on the field and use FA to get DBs who have proven they can stay on the field.
Most likely scenario is we'll take a DT at #23. But that's not carved in stone.
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We've drafted 3 WRs in the first round in the last 50 years. One of them was a Pro Bowler, and the other two were HOFers.
stockholder
March 18, 2025 at 10:58 am
I hope you're right on CB.
But the money figures won't go
with your logic.
Alberta_Packer
March 17, 2025 at 12:45 pm
It seems that the talent gap from picks 20-60 is not substantial. However a premium D-lineman and CB are all projected to go in the top 20. As the Packers are positionned just outside of the top 20 - it is possible that one of these premium players could fall to 23. If so, I would expect that Gutekunst will stay put at 23.
However, If one of these premium players aren't available at 23 - then I would expect a trade down from Gutekunst. Ideally to acquire another pick in the 20-60 range. Then there would be sufficient draft capital to address the Packers D-line, CB and WR positions in this range.
Regardless I don't see a scenario when Gutekunst drafts a WR in the first round. Not only because of historic tendencies but because there are no elite receivers in this class - like there are D-line prospects. However there are an ample number of good receivers that will be available on Day 2 & 3 - namely Higgins, Bech, Horton, Thornton Jr., TeSlaa, Badger - to name a few.
I'm particularly interested in Jack Bech. Because if there was ever a Cooper Kupp type - it's him. Only a little bigger and faster but with the same elite hands. Moreover he may be able to contribute as a year 1 player. Lastly - Bech is more likely to be available at 54 than Higgins.
So after all is said and done - no Day 1 WR. However - 1 Day 2 and 1 Day 3.
gsd3
March 18, 2025 at 05:57 am
Thornton could be a fill in / replacement for Watson. Would really open things up underneath.
Like Elijah Badger. Catches everything in sight while having bad qb play. Could be a replacement for Doubs.
As far as a true #1....would have to go 1st round and even then not a given.
SDPack
March 17, 2025 at 07:42 pm
I believe Gutey takes a two-year view on draft picks and it is a bonus if they are good enough to start in year 1 as we saw some of the guys this year. That said, we are likely facing a 2026 roster next year that may possibly not have Clark, Wyatt, Rasheed W, Quay W, Rhyan, Watson, Doubs, and Enagbare. Assuming we will resign Tom and possibly a couple of those other guys (my guess is we keep Wyatt and Quay), it will still leave big holes at DL, OL, and WR. I guess draft pundits are saying that 1st round is weak on the bottom half so if that is true, you would hope we find a trading partner to go down and pick up an extra day 2 pick so we can rebuild these positions with high caliber talent. Who Gutey decides to take in each round is really only about their draft board and which player ranks higher. None of us has that clairvoyance but I just hope he lands strong talent at these three key positions with a back of the draft view on CBs and Edge.