The 2025 NFL Combine is upon us, and like you, I am absolutely stoked about the seemingly endless number of data points we are about to receive in such a short time. 

The interviews and medical have already concluded, now all that's left is just for the players to show teams that they are the league's next future star.

But while there will be plenty of "ohs and ahs" about who runs what in the 40 and 3-cone. But my eyes will be trained on one Brian Gutekunst, General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.

We know Brian and the Scouting Department love guys who test well, and I'm sure we will get plenty of traffic on guys who test out of the water. But as many of you have seen in the past, sometimes what you see in shorts doesn't necessarily equate to what will be seen in pads. I'm very lukewarm on this draft class and have yet to assign any Gems this offseason. When it's all said and done, the excitement will last well beyond the 1st Round, with some selections that might catch the more casual fan unaware. It is my hope, that Gutekunst especially prioritizes the tape in 2025, and not let the Combine muddy his evaluation.

"Traits, traits, traits." You've heard that a lot already I'm sure, and you'll continue to hear it til we hear Mr. Irrelevant called for 2025. But unfortunately, based on what I've seen so far, that's what the majority of this class is....just "traits". Are there some future All-Pros and Pro Bowlers to find? Of course. You'll also find some really solid players who would be a welcome addition to any roster as well. You won't need the Combine to know who those folks are. Gutekunst has certainly taken his lumps in the Draft over the course of his tenure but I'm hopeful that because this particular class isn't "loaded" he may be forced to save himself from himself and take the "safe" pick.

What is safe? I'm talking about "high floor" prospects, guys who may never be considered elite but have rock-solid starting potential. I do agree with Brian that you should never chase another team, only worry about yourselves. The Packers are still a very young yet very talented team. For that talent to mature, some curated selections that push the current guys on the roster are needed. In the press conference, Gutekunst spoke about how quickly guys are matriculating to the league, I'd prefer if he reinforces that trend with some Edgerrin Cooper/Tucker Kraft-like selections in 2025.

Speaking of, what about those prospects? Let's dive into a few. 

QB

Gutekunst did say he wanted to get back into developing QBs, and it would not surprise me to see him take one late on Day 3. I wouldn't be surprised to see him pay close attention to Jalen Milroe, whose disastrous showing in the Senior Bowl still comes with the pro-comp of our beloved Malik Willis. The QB class is concerningly thin, so it would not shock me to see a team that missed out on either Sanders, Ward, or Ewers to inquire with the Packers about Willis' services. As the old saying goes, the best time to draft a QB is when you don't need one.....

RB

The Packers are all but set at the RB position going into 2025, even if 2024 3rd Rounder Marshawn Lloyd is a relative unknown to those outside of 1265. I'm really super bummed to be honest, because the chance to see Bhayshul Tuten, Devin Neal, or Jaydon Blue in the Green and Gold has me hyped. While Josh Jacobs is no slouch, I'd love to see a little more "Lightning" to complement his "Thunder".

WR

I know, I know, everyone wants a WR, but this class ain't it. Gutekunst may have 2-3 solid stabs if he chooses to elevate the WR Corps. There are plenty of guys who are fast in this group and plenty of guys who have plus length. You won't really see guys who have both outside of maybe TCU's Savion Williams and Tennesee's Dont'e Thornton Jr (need to see ya run first Jayden Higgins). But then you have to deal with Williams being super raw and Thornton not having an adequate sample size to make the proper projection (I still want him though). But if Texas' Matthew Golden just so happens to fall into the Packers' lap on Day 2, I'm not sure Gutekunst can afford to pass that up. There's nothing in my opinion that could be gained in Indy with this WR Class.

TE

Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave have the position in a chokehold, and that Ben Sims guy I like too. But if Iowa's Luke Lachey is hanging around in the 6th or 7th, I'm game. I don't need to see him work out.

OL

The offensive line is the "sneaky need" of 2025. I know Jordan Morgan essentially took a medical redshirt last year but questions abound about Center, and will the real starting Right Guard of the Packers please stand up? That's no dig at Sean Rhyan, I like him too. But I believe that if a guy like USC's Jim Monheim or North Dakota State's Grey Zabel is available; guys who can help the Packers find their "best 5" as they like to call it, they should be priority targets. But if the Packers do decide to go Tackle again, perhaps with the intention of moving Zach Tom inside, a "Mr. Nasty" like Minnesota's Aireontay Ersery, Purdue's Marcus Mbow, Missouri's Armand Membou, or West Virginia's Wyatt Milum would be truly transformative for the offense. Let's trust the tape, measure their arms (because that does matter), and make our pick.

DL

Despite what some may think, I really think the defensive line will really take off, in year 2 of Jeff Hafley's defensive scheme. If there was a time to take a flyer on a traits guy, it's with this position group. The Longhorns' Alex Collins could be a project that's worthwhile in about 3 years, and Florida State's Josh Farmer too. They will both test very well, but we knew that before we got here.

LB

Yuck. This is where Gutekunst has to just find a "football player" if he's going to let Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie walk. I'm "comfortable" with Alabama's Jihaad Campell.  I am starting to fall in love with Oklahoma State's Nick Martin (probably too small) however, and if UCLA's Carson Scwessinger or South Carolina's Demetrius Knight Jr. run well they should be in play. Georgia's Smael Mondon Jr as a project for late Day 3 could be an interesting depth piece. Out of all the position groups with the most to gain, it's the LBs. If a guy with ok or good but not great tape tests well, we may come out of this with some additional targets. But the tape HAS to be there.

DB

I came away from the Senior Bowl thinking Oklahoma's Billy Bowman Jr. MIGHT can play a little nickel...prove me wrong. But Virginia Tech's Dorian Strong should ABSOLUTELY be a target. I'm not convinced on Florida State's Azareye'h Thomas until I see him run. Texas' Jahdae Barron and Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison will also utilize the Combine to decide where they stand in the pecking order when it's time to make the pick This is probably the only position this year where Gutekunst should put a little emphasis on testing, as CB is probably the second hardest position in the league and its rare (Xavier McKinney) that those who don't test well find success.

ST

Notre Dame's Jack Kiser (leadership/IQ), Auburn's Eugene Asante (athleticism), Oregon's Jabbar Muhammad, and Illinois' Fadill Diggs (both better than average) are guys who might wait awhile during the Draft but would likely add value to any franchise on the back end.

The theme of this year's 2025 NFL Combine needs to be "high floor", aka the "safe" guys. Granted there's no guarantee what these players might become, but I do believe the "right" competition is needed to elevate this Packers roster to make a push for another Lombardi Trophy. The Packers don't have many holes honestly, but what is needed are a "few good men" who may see reps sooner than later, or at least push the guys ahead of them to maximize their talents while on the field. We've still got a long way to the Draft folks, but at least now the picture is starting to get just a bit more clearer. I'll see you guys on the other end of the Combine as we look to crown our first 2025 Gem.

#GPG