We are just a few sleeps away from the 2025 NFL Draft, hosted by the glorious city of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers are on the clock at 23rd overall, one of their eight selections over the three-day draft.
I’ve completed over 100 Packers mock drafts in the last four months, and it’s finally time to take my shot at what I think they will do once they’re on the clock.
Round 1 (23) – Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
I would support a trade back here, but predicting trades in a mock draft feels like cheating. So, with their first pick, the Packers take a faller in Ole Miss’ Walter Nolan. The Packers had him in for a top-30 visit, and Nolen stood out at the Senior Bowl, two good signs that the Packers are interested in him.
Nolen has a ton of burst on tape and can affect the quarterback, with six sacks this past season. He mainly played at the 3-tech position for Ole Miss, and the Packers would love to bring him in and have Kenny Clark show him the ropes. They would also pass the torch down to Nolan for Green Bay’s next great interior lineman.
Also considered: Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden, Derrick Harmon
Round 2 (54) – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
If he were not coming off a freak hip injury, Morrison would be long gone by now. With nine interceptions over his three-year career at Notre Dame, Morrison is a playmaker on the boundary who excels in man coverage.
The Packers will move on from Jaire Alexander next season, and Morrsion fills a need for a boundary corner while also being tremendous value relative to the board for the Packers in the second round.
Round 3 (87) – Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
The Packers are in need of some speed, and Royals offers that in spades. The Utah State product had 15 touchdowns two seasons ago and would be another dynamic threat on the outside for Green Bay. He’s the best player left on the board and gives the Packers a Utah State connection on the outside.
Round 4 (124) – Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
I don’t know how Williams is still available at this point in the draft, but I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. The Packers desperately need wideouts, and what Williams can do with the ball in his hands is rare.
Williams is a dynamic playmaker with over 100 targets, 70 receptions, 1,196 yards, and 14 touchdowns who can help the Packers in almost any package. I can’t say no to that when it’s available so late in the draft. I considered him at the last pick when I took Royals. The Packers would be thrilled to add two athletic playmakers to their receiving corps.
Round 5 (159) – R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
One of the best coverage safeties in the country last season, Mickens makes up for his mediocre run-stopping skills with his sense on the back end. He was a veteran leader for the Tigers’ defense, and the Packers could use some more depth in the safety room. He was the best player on the board and fits a position the Packers would probably like to bolster.
Round 6 (198) – Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska
Robinson broke out for Nebraska this past season with six sacks and solid grades across the board. Robinson is a big body at 6’6”, 310 lbs. who can eat up space in the middle of the defense. He should be a solid fill-in for T.J. Slaton, who left in free agency. Robinson played most of his snaps from the 3-tech position but could slide into the interior to better help the run defense.
Round 7 (237) – Jalen Travis, T, Iowa State
At 6’7”, 340 lbs., Travis has the ideal size that the Packers like. While his length leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to edge protection against faster rushers, he’s only allowed a 2.5% pressure rate during the 2024 season.
He has good athleticism and upside for a tackle who doesn’t need to play immediately. The Packers would take a shot in the seventh round to bolster the O-line depth.
Round 7 (250) – Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
Kendall has only played center in college, but could line up any of the interior positions for the Packers. He’s a superb athlete with solid grades in both the run and pass game and the zone scheme. He’s familiar with Packers’ defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and would be a solid depth add for Green Bay in the seventh.
Overall, I think the Packers draft could look a lot like this. In typical Packers fashion, they targeted athletes and took defense before offense. Nolen is the headliner who could be a force in the middle of Green Bay’s defense going forward. Morrison gives them playmaking at corner. Royal and Williams spice up the offense.
With some depth at the interior defensive line and safety in the back half of the draft and some developmental offensive linemen, this Packers draft shaped up nicely.
I was unable to land an edge rusher, but the Packers seem content with what they have and are hoping a coaching change and another year of development will move them forward. Adding Nolen in the middle will also help get pressure on the quarterback.
Fans should be thrilled if the Packers leave Saturday afternoon’s draft with this haul.
