If history tells us anything, Green Bay will invest on the defensive side of the ball early in the draft.
Predictions are flying in, with the 2025 NFL Draft starting on April 24.
One ESPN report suggests the Packers will go defense early in the draft.
Matt Miller and Jordan Reid of ESPN shared what they’re hearing for each team as the draft approaches. For the Packers, what they’re hearing shouldn’t be a surprise.
A rival scout told me that his team expects the Packers to focus on adding defensive players for Jeff Hafley’s scheme in the early rounds. He predicted that Green Bay would draft a cornerback in Round 1 and a defensive tackle in the second round before shifting to a value receiver pick in Round 3.
Of course, this is merely a prediction with some backing from a scout, and things can change quickly in the draft.
Green Bay has had Texas wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden in for Top 30 visits. It has also hosted Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
It’s doubtful all three will be gone by the time the Packers are on the clock at No. 23. So could they go in that direction?
Sure.
History wouldn’t suggest it, though.
The Packers haven’t selected a wide receiver in Round 1 since they took Javon Walker in 2002. On top of that, under general manager Brian Gutekunst, the Packers have selected seven defensive players in the first round and only two offensive players.
On offense, wide receiver is a primary need, while on defense, one would assume holes will need to be addressed at edge rusher, cornerback, and defensive tackle.
Green Bay is unpredictable early in the draft when it comes to trades. Under Gutekunst, they’ve moved up in the first round and moved back. One of the times they moved up was for quarterback Jordan Love.
What has been more predictable is what they target early in the draft, especially Round 1. It’s defensive players.
Don’t be surprised if this report comes to fruition.
