After the Green Bay Packers announced their initial 53-man roster, some positions, like safety, were officially filled with fan-favorite players coming back for another year in the green and gold. Other position groups raised some eyebrows, such as the lack of experience within the cornerback room. One cause for excitement, however, was the presence of (almost) the entire 2025 draft class.
In 2024, nine of the 11 players drafted made the initial roster. This year, all eight draft picks initially made it. It’s a sign that general manager Brian Gutekunst is extremely confident in the young talent.
Seventh-round cornerback Micah Robinson only lasted a day on the 53-man roster as the team needed to make room for incoming linebacker Nick Niemann, but he is now part of the practice squad.
Packers found creative ways to retain their entire 2025 draft class
The entire draft class remains in Green Bay, but not all of them are “officially” on the roster. Of the Packers’ eight picks, five are on the 53-man roster, one is on the practice squad, and two are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams were always safe. Although Williams has been taking it easy with a shoulder injury, he avoided being placed on injured reserve. At the moment, the duo seems ready to light up the field against the Detroit Lions in the season opener.
Along the offensive line, second-rounder Anthony Belton pushed past some penalty issues to make the roster. He sits behind the recently extended Zach Tom on the depth chart. Belton is joined by seventh-round pick John Williams, who is currently on the PUP list.
Barryn Sorrell had to wait to hear his name called at the draft in Green Bay earlier this year, but now the fourth-rounder can celebrate even harder than he did that day, having earned his way onto an official NFL roster. Defensive tackle Warren Brinson and edge Collin Oliver also made the team, but Oliver has been placed on the PUP list. The three young players are positioned behind Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, and Devonte Wyatt on the depth chart.
The 2025 draft class still has a lot to prove, but they’ve made an important step in their NFL careers. Making an NFL roster is no small feat, and Gutekunst seems to have an eye for players who can make the most of the opportunity.
