The 2024 season is half over and NFL general managers have seen half the college football season. Now is the time for Brian Gutekunst to start building his draft board for 2025. Should the Packers focus their top picks on more weapons for Jordan Love? Is protecting Love the priority? Or do the Packers feel defense is a bigger need?
Weapons for Love
The Packers have Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson at running back. Chris Brooks fills in as third backup with so far oft injured MarShawn Lloyd the odd man out. If Lloyd does not impress in his rehab habits this position could be a high priority. If the Packers believe in Lloyd’s potential, there is little reason to draft a runner with a top pick.
At first glance, the Packers seem flush at wide receiver. But Dontayvion Wicks has dropped so many passes this season Green Bay has to wonder if Wicks is dropping his way off the roster, as J’Mon Moore did. Moore was the first wide receiver selected by Gutekunst. Instead of being a lesson that the position is all about catching the football, he picked Wicks in 2024.
The sixth-round pick still has time to right his ship, but time is ticking. If Wicks is determined to be too unreliable by season’s end a wideout may be a top draft focus. Tight end has had depth issues due to Luke Musgrave’s multiple injuries. Both Musgrave and Tucker Kraft were drafted in the 2023 draft. At this point Kraft has elevated his game to an elite level while Musgrave is still more potential than production. If an elite tight end is available in the first two rounds, the Packers could pull the trigger.
Offensive Line
The Packers have a decent offensive line. Zach Tom is locked in at right tackle and Elgton Jenkins is a potential All Pro at left guard. Center Josh Meyers has played better every season but is currently struggling with a wrist injury. His contract is up at the end of this season and the Packers may see a replacement on a rookie salary, or perhaps Jacob Monk has the potential to step in next year.
Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan have been adequate and first round pick Jordan Morgan who has dealt with a shoulder injury is getting his first taste of the NFL. My guess is Offensive Line will not be a priority (pick in rounds 1-2) in the Packer 2025 draft.
Defense
The Packers defensive line has improved under first year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. T.J. Slayton is in the last year of his contract and Kenny Clark will turn 30 next year. Preston Smith is gone to Pittsburgh.
He has now publicly admitted he wanted out of the new 4-3 defensive scheme under Hafley. Wyatt, Wooden and Brooks are young and still improving. Kingsley Enagbare, Rashan Gary and Lucas Van Ness have all shown flashes this year but have not put up dominant sack numbers. If a good defensive lineman is there for the taking when the Packers are ready to select, they should run, not walk to the podium, and snap him up.
The Packers defense may be one cornerback away from being elite. A great team needs great corners and all three of the Packers top corners have missed time with injuries. The safety position seems set. What a steal Xavier McKinney has turned out to be. Bullard and Miller both display rising upside. Even Nixon has made some plays.
The last position, besides special teams, is linebacker. The need for linebacker depends on how the Packers answer the question: “Is Quay Walker the answer in the middle?”. If they answer yes, no priority drafting a linebacker. If they are watching film at least one of the people in that room must answer no. The Packers 2025 draft will definitely determine if Gutekunst is a Quay fan.
Finally, the Packers do not need a punter but will take long looks at available kickers. For all the good it will do.
Gutekunst has made a habit of doubling up, drafting two players who play the same position in the same draft. If I were a betting man, I would place my bet on Defensive line and cornerback for that Gutekunst double take in 2025. In any event, it is already clear that the Packers have needs that cannot be filled by finding gems on other teams practice squads.
The trade deadline is passed so no help is coming soon. Which means the 2025 draft could, barring injury, focus on five positions, WR, TE, DL, LB, CB, and if successful elevate the Packers talent level. Only three of those positions, CB WR, and DL, usually require a first or second round pick to find an impact player.
The Packers also currently project to have some cap space next year that might be enough to recruit a player or two. But no matter how you slice it, the Packers will be relying on the 2025 draft. The draft will be held in Titletown and should be a grand party in Green Bay. Let’s hope Gutekunst’s selections are as good as the atmosphere.
