
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: Josh Jacobs said it – the Packers need a No. 1 receiver. They could perhaps draft one with their first-round selection, assuming that Tetairoa McMillan falls to them. Defensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback are other positions of need that must be addressed.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: It wasn’t Tetairoa McMillan who fell to the Packers, but rather Matthew Golden. The Texas product was considered to be a late riser, so it wouldn’t have surprised anyone had he gone as high as No. 12 to Dallas. Instead, he fell to the Packers, who bucked the trend of not drafting a receiver in the first round. Golden didn’t have the best production at Texas, but he had a great stretch last year. He also possesses incredible speed, which is something Green Bay was missing from its receiving corps.
Following the Golden pick, there was good news and bad news for the Packers. The good news is that there was only one pick graded worse than a “B” throughout the entire draft. The bad news is that Golden earned the only grade above a B+. The remainder of Green Bay’s draft class, save for one choice, was solid, but not spectacular. This includes the two second-day picks, with Anthony Belton and Savion Williams being fine choices to satisfy needs on the offensive line and receiving corps.
Green Bay’s overall draft class can be classified as solid, but unspectacular. Aside from Golden, nothing exciting happened, but the Packers made some upgrades and never reached.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
23. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – A Grade
I hated the idea of Matthew Golden going in the 12 range because while he has great speed, he didn’t put together the best production at Texas. However, Golden provides much more value at No. 23. He gives the Packers something they desperately needed, which was a dynamic speed threat at receiver. Josh Jacobs said that Green Bay needed a wideout, and the team wisely listened.
54. Anthony Belton, OT/G, N.C. State – B Grade
Anthony Belton is a big lineman, but has decent quickness and agility for a player his size. Belton can play both tackle and guard, so his talent and versatility should be able to help “No Cookie” Jordan Love. I had Belton going around this range.
87. Savion Williams, WR, TCU – B+ Grade
The Packers got their speed receiver in the first round with Matthew Golden. Now, they get their huge possession guy in Savion Williams. The TCU product is 6-foot-5, so he’ll be a big end zone threat for “No Cookie” Jordan Love.
124. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas – B Grade
It’s unclear why Barryn Sorrell was at the draft. He had mediocre production at Texas. He was seen as a fourth-round prospect at best, so this pick makes sense for the Packers, who needed to upgrade their pass rush.
159. Collin Oliver, DE, Oklahoma State – B Grade
I was wondering where Collin Oliver would go because he was a highly productive player in 2023, but missed most of 2024 with an injury. This pick has higher risk, but Oliver could end up panning out if he can remain healthy. If so, he’ll fill a need in Green Bay.
198. Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia – B+ Grade
Warren Brinson was a rotational player with Georgia, but he could carve out a bigger role in the NFL because he has upside. The Packers needed some defensive line help, and Brinson could have been taken a round earlier with no complaints.
237. Micah Robinson, DB, Tulane – C Grade
Micah Robinson wasn’t viewed as a draftable prospect, so the Packers could have gotten him in UDFAs. He’ll have to stick on special teams.
250. John Williams, OT/G, Cincinnati – B Grade
Another offensive lineman makes sense for the Packers. John Williams is a solid pick here, as he has versatility – he can play tackle and guard – and he can blast open running lanes. He’s a project in pass protection.
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