The Green Bay Packers did the impossible and took a wide receiver in the first round, added help for the offensive line and a weapon for Matt LaFleur during Day 2 and stocked up along the defensive front on Day 3 while making eight picks during the 2025 NFL draft.
For the most part, draft analysts weren’t overly impressed or overly disappointed in what the Packers did over the three days.
How would you rate the Packers’ 2025 draft class?
Assessments from the staff at Packers Wire:
Zach Kruse
Consider me mostly neutral on the Packers’ draft class. Brian Gutekunst made only eight picks, so it lacks the depth of recent Green Bay draft classes. This was a draft of toys and big people. Matthew Golden brings big-time playmaking ability and a potential future No. 1 target in the passing game. Savion Williams is a fun, tackle-breaking weapon. Anthony Belton and John Williams give the offensive line two big, athletic and versatile options. Sorrell (a reliable, steady and traditional 4-3 end) and Oliver (an explosive, undersized, designated pass-rusher) will be the new quarterback hunters. The Packers passed on a cornerback early and didn’t address the defensive front until early on Day 3, but charging up the offense was a clear priority early. I’m not sure I love this class, but I don’t hate it. I see at least three future starters (Golden, Belton, Sorrell) and two really exciting playmakers (Williams, Oliver) who could contribute on special teams. Also, don’t sleep on expected undrafted signings Nazir Stackhouse and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who had draftable grades and could compete for 53-man roster spots at nose tackle (Stackhouse) and linebacker (Dumas-Johnson). They turn this eight-man class into something closer to a 10-man class. Overall, the Packers get a solid but unspectacular grade from me.
Brandon Carwile
Overall, I thought the Packers added competition at key spots across the roster and showed more willingness to broaden their horizons than we are used to. Taking a wide receiver in the first round for the first time in 23 years was obviously a big move, but it underscored how much the team values the position and their belief that Matthew Golden can be a special player. Speaking of breaking trends, Anthony Belton, Savion Williams, and Collin Oliver each deviate from what Green Bay typically looks for in their offensive linemen, wide receivers, and pass rushers. Perhaps there has been a slight shift in how they evaluate prospects. Also, despite Jaire Alexander’s uncertain future, they waited until Day 3 to take a corner and didn’t add a pure run-stuffer to replace TJ Slaton, indicating they feel comfortable with their current options. Time will tell if that was the right decision.
Mark Oldacres
The Packers stayed true to their “best player available” ideology, which landed them a true first-round talent in Matthew Golden, a no-brainer pick at 23 overall. Taking the receiver caused some issues addressing positions of need on day two though. The selection of Anthony Belton was a significant reach according to consensus, and with cornerback Trey Amos on the board, the Packers could have helped a significant long-term need. It was a strange corner class, but failing to add one until round seven, while understandable in terms of how the draft played out, could be something the Packers end up regretting. Green Bay did a good job adding competition and different flavors to their pass rush on day three via Barryn Sorrell, an excellent value pick, and Collin Oliver, as well as a run stuffing presence to replace T.J. Slaton in Warren Brinson. This was a surprising draft and those within the building may even admit it did not go perfectly to plan, but they have given the offense a real boost with speed and a Swiss army knife at receiver, and a physical presence on the line, while still giving the defense enough to work with.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Assessing the Packers 2025 draft class
The Green Bay Packers did the impossible and took a wide receiver in the first round, added help for the offensive line and a weapon for Matt LaFleur during Day 2 and stocked up along the defensive front on Day 3 while making eight picks during the 2025 NFL draft.
For the most part, draft analysts weren’t overly impressed or overly disappointed in what the Packers did over the three days.
How would you rate the Packers’ 2025 draft class?
Assessments from the staff at Packers Wire:
Zach Kruse
Consider me mostly neutral on the Packers’ draft class. Brian Gutekunst made only eight picks, so it lacks the depth of recent Green Bay draft classes. This was a draft of toys and big people. Matthew Golden brings big-time playmaking ability and a potential future No. 1 target in the passing game. Savion Williams is a fun, tackle-breaking weapon. Anthony Belton and John Williams give the offensive line two big, athletic and versatile options. Sorrell (a reliable, steady and traditional 4-3 end) and Oliver (an explosive, undersized, designated pass-rusher) will be the new quarterback hunters. The Packers passed on a cornerback early and didn’t address the defensive front until early on Day 3, but charging up the offense was a clear priority early. I’m not sure I love this class, but I don’t hate it. I see at least three future starters (Golden, Belton, Sorrell) and two really exciting playmakers (Williams, Oliver) who could contribute on special teams. Also, don’t sleep on expected undrafted signings Nazir Stackhouse and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who had draftable grades and could compete for 53-man roster spots at nose tackle (Stackhouse) and linebacker (Dumas-Johnson). They turn this eight-man class into something closer to a 10-man class. Overall, the Packers get a solid but unspectacular grade from me.
Brandon Carwile
Overall, I thought the Packers added competition at key spots across the roster and showed more willingness to broaden their horizons than we are used to. Taking a wide receiver in the first round for the first time in 23 years was obviously a big move, but it underscored how much the team values the position and their belief that Matthew Golden can be a special player. Speaking of breaking trends, Anthony Belton, Savion Williams, and Collin Oliver each deviate from what Green Bay typically looks for in their offensive linemen, wide receivers, and pass rushers. Perhaps there has been a slight shift in how they evaluate prospects. Also, despite Jaire Alexander’s uncertain future, they waited until Day 3 to take a corner and didn’t add a pure run-stuffer to replace TJ Slaton, indicating they feel comfortable with their current options. Time will tell if that was the right decision.
Mark Oldacres
The Packers stayed true to their “best player available” ideology, which landed them a true first-round talent in Matthew Golden, a no-brainer pick at 23 overall. Taking the receiver caused some issues addressing positions of need on day two though. The selection of Anthony Belton was a significant reach according to consensus, and with cornerback Trey Amos on the board, the Packers could have helped a significant long-term need. It was a strange corner class, but failing to add one until round seven, while understandable in terms of how the draft played out, could be something the Packers end up regretting. Green Bay did a good job adding competition and different flavors to their pass rush on day three via Barryn Sorrell, an excellent value pick, and Collin Oliver, as well as a run stuffing presence to replace T.J. Slaton in Warren Brinson. This was a surprising draft and those within the building may even admit it did not go perfectly to plan, but they have given the offense a real boost with speed and a Swiss army knife at receiver, and a physical presence on the line, while still giving the defense enough to work with.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Assessing the Packers 2025 draft class
