It is always a joy to reminisce on past Packer draft picks that panned out in the most successful ways imaginable or exceeded expectations. Here is a list of the Packers top 10 best draft picks in the last quarter century:

10. Aaron Jones, running back. 

Jones was selected in the fifth round at pick 182 in 2017 out of UTEP. Not only did he dominate on the field totaling 63 touchdowns and almost 6,000 yards in seven seasons, but also was a positive voice in the locker room and a key mentor to Jordan Love. A true fan favorite in Green Bay before signing with Minnesota in free agency. 

9. Greg Jennings, wide receiver. 

Jennings was drafted in the second round at pick 52 in 2006 out of Western Michigan. He may not have been a first-round pick, but he sure balled out like one in seven seasons with Green Bay. His 425 catches, 6,537 yards with 53 touchdowns, two Pro Bowl appearances, and two touchdown catches in Super Bowl XLV earned him an induction into the Packers Hall of Fame. His coming out party was pretty memorable when Brett Favre threw a touchdown pass to Jennings in OT against Denver.

8. Nick Collins, safety. 

Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2016, Tricky Nicky Collins deserves to be in the top 10 even with his career cut short due to a neck injury. Collins was drafted in the second round at pick 51 in 2005 out of Bethune-Cookman. Collins was key to the Packers 2010 Super Bowl run including a memorable pick-six on the biggest stage. Collins finished his career with 21 interceptions, making second-team All-Pro three times and three Pro Bowls. 

7. Josh Sitton, guard.

Sitton was drafted in 2008 out of Central Florida in the fourth round at pick 135. He became a member of the Packers Hall of Fame in 2023 deservingly so after spending 8 seasons in Green Bay making 3 Pro Bowls and second-team All-Pro three times. Sitton established himself as one of the best guards in the league in his tenure and was a true catalyst in the offensive line winning Super Bowl XLV.

6. Jordy Nelson, wide receiver. 

Nelson was drafted in 2008 out of Kansas State in the second round at pick 36. An ultimate fan favorite, Nelson was the key to unlocking the full potential of the Packers wide receiver core for nine seasons. His impactful chemistry with Rodgers and ability to make timely clutch catches earned him an induction into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2023. Nelson finished his career with Green Bay recording 550 catches for 7,848 yards and 69 touchdowns. He was second-team All Pro in 2014, comeback player of the year in 2016, and Super Bowl XLV winner catching a touchdown. 

5. David Bakhtiari, tackle.

Bakhtiari was drafted in 2013 out of Colorado in the fourth round at pick 109. Another fourth round offensive lineman had an impact on the Packers and one could argue Bakhtiari was the best at his position for multiple years blocking for his best buddy Aaron Rodgers. If it were not for injury, Bakhtiari had a chance to be higher on this list playing 131 games at left tackle with two first-team All Pros, three second-team All Pros, and three Pro Bowls. What could have been.

4. Chad Clifton, tackle.

Another second round pick, this time dating back to 2000, Clifton was drafted at pick 44 out of Tennessee. Clifton was as reliable as they come for 12 seasons as the starting tackle, playing in 165 games with two pro bowl appearances blocking for quarterbacks Brett Favre and Rodgers. Clifton’s veteran leadership and skill set was crucial to Green Bay winning Super Bowl XLV as he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2016. 

3. Clay Matthews, linebacker. 

We miss seeing the long blonde hair wreaking havoc on the quarterback. Big Play Clay was drafted in 2009 out of USC in the first round at pick 26. Matthews made six Pro Bowls in 10 years along with first-team All Pro in 2010 and second-team All Pro in 2012. Matthews made a huge play in Super Bowl XLV with a critical forced fumble in the fourth quarter. He is the franchise leader in sacks with 83.5 and became a member of the Packers Hall of Fame in 2024.

2. Davante Adams, wide receiver. 

Adams was drafted in 2014 out of Fresno State in the second round at pick 53. The Packers seem to strike gold with second-round picks. Adams made his presence felt in Green Bay as a “top two but not number two” receiver in the league making five straight Pro Bowls and first-team All Pro three times. In his eight seasons in Green Bay, Adams caught 669 passes for 8,121 yards and 73 touchdowns. 

1. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback. 

The result should not be shocking. Rodgers was drafted in 2005 out of CAL in the first round falling to the Packers at pick 24. He spent 18 years at the helm in Green Bay winning Super Bowl XLV earning himself a Super Bowl MVP along with four regular season MVPs. Rodgers finished his Packers career completing over 5,000 passes for nearly 60,000 yards with 475 touchdowns and only 105 picks. His 1.4% interception percentage and 8.22 average yards per attempt is the best in NFL history.

Honorable Mentions:

- Two Packers worth mentioning not on the list is K Mason Crosby and WR Randall Cobb. 
- Two Packers currently on the roster with the best potential to crack the top ten are QB Jordan Love and OT Zach Tom.