Packers Select Guard John Williams in 2025 NFL Draft - Round 7
By Kevin Gibson
JOHN WILLIAMS, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, GUARD}
MEASURABLES/PRO DAY:
6-4, 322 pounds, 5.17s 40-yard dash, 1.8s 10-yard split
VIDEO:
NFL SCOUTING REPORT:
Williams, a college tackle, has the body type of a guard, which is where he might be asked to move as a pro. He’s tight-hipped, leading to waist-bending, but he has adequate quickness in the early stages of the block. He lacks decisiveness and body control to make consistent use of early advantages. He also needs to get stronger and more aggressive as a run blocker. He’s long in pass pro with adequate footwork when projected to guard, but it remains to be seen if he can survive against pro bull-rushers. -NFL.com
CAREER NOTES:
- 2020: Redshirted. Played in 4 games as a reserve.
- 2021: Played in 12 games with 3 starts at LT.
- 2022: Played in 12 games as a reserve and on XP/FG units.
- 2023: Started all 12 games at LT.
- 2024: Started all 12 games at LT.
FIT WITH THE PACKERS:
The bottom line is, nature only made so many guys this size who also have athleticism. Williams was a tackle for the Bearcats, but he was announced in the NFL Draft as a guard, and that figures to play. But what GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers love in offensive linemen -- and all players, really -- is versatility. Even if Williams projects as a guard at the pro level, he has tackle instincts. That's a Packer. As a seventh-rounder, don't expect to see him in the starting lineup anytime soon, but he brings depth to an offensive line corps that probably needed more in 2024.
COMMENTARY:
As a Packers fan, I'll never complain about drafting O-line guys who are big and have decent speed and athleticism. Even if Williams doesn't make the final 53, he can develop on the practice squad while he builds his body and experience.
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Kevin Gibson is a professional writer and author based in Louisville, Ky. He's also a former sports writer who covered high school, college and professional sports, a Packers shareholder and a fan since 1975. Even John Hadl couldn't break him. Follow him on Twitter: @kgramone
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Comments (8)
mrtundra
April 26, 2025 at 06:04 pm
STAR WARS!!! JOHN WILLIAMS!!! YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
April 26, 2025 at 06:56 pm
That score, played by the London Philharmonic orchestra, was the best part of the film. Of course it was the Principal trumpet player who made it what it was ...
Vachio
April 26, 2025 at 08:00 pm
I really like this pick. The scouting reports illustrate everything I despise about the draft process. He's tight-hipped, so he's gotta move to guard. SMH. With a moderately competent strength and conditioning program, that's easily fixable. But these people seem determine to dig for anything, no matter how minor, to use as fuel to confirm their biases. Hopefully, he can follow in the footsteps of Rasheed Walker, Mark Tauscher, and Adam Timmerman.
PackEyedOptimist
April 27, 2025 at 07:37 am
Rasheed Walker is exactly who came to mind when reading about him.
murf7777
April 27, 2025 at 07:28 am
The 3 OL they brought in this off season weigh 324, 336 & 322……Get ready for run centric, road graders who love to play smash mouth football!
Guam
April 27, 2025 at 07:59 am
The NFL is the land of the copycats and everyone watched what the Eagles did with Barkley and a powerful offensive line. The Packers already have Jacobs, so why not!!
murf7777
April 27, 2025 at 03:37 pm
I agree.....I think Green Bay already had this plan in place last year and that is why they went after Jacobs. The Eagles were already doing it before they won the SB this past year and so was SF. For years now many teams have been going lighter with more speed on defenses. Some teams are countering with smash mouth football. That's how I see the Packers moving forward as they get more pieces of the puzzle put into place.
bjkdad44
April 27, 2025 at 09:30 am
🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻