2025 NFL Draft Discussion

[JosephC]

Quick, one-round mock draft.  No trades.  I used this for the primary tool to determine need areas - https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-order-for-round-1-top-five-needs-for-all-32-teams-following-free-agency-frenzy .

Barron makes it to #23 in this one-

1.      Titans – Cameron Ward/QB/Miami, Fl

2.      Browns – Andre Carter/EDGE/Penn State

3.      Giants – Travis Hunter/CB-WR/Colorado

4.      Patriots – Armand Membou/OT/Missouri

5.      Jaguars – Mason Graham/DL/Michigan

6.      Raiders- Ashton Jeanty/RB/Boise State

7.      Jets – Tyler Warren/TE/Penn State

8.      Panthers – Jalon Walker/EDGE/Georgia

9.      Saints – Will Campbell/OT/Louisiana State

10.  Bears – Mykel Williams/EDGE/Georgia

11.  49ers – Walter Nolan/DL/Mississippi

12.  Cowboys – Matthew Golden/WR/Texas

13.  Dolphins – Josh Simmons/OT/Ohio State

14.  Colts – Colston Loveland/TE/Michigan

15.  Falcons – Mike Green/EDGE/Marshall

16.  Cardinals – Tetairoa McMillan/WR/Arizona

17.  Bengals – Shemar Stewart/EDGE/Texas A&M

18.  Seahawks – Luther Burden III/WR/Missouri

19.  Buccaneers – Will Johnson/CB/Michigan

20.  Broncos – Emeka Egbuka/WR/Ohio State

21.  Steelers – Shedeur Sanders/QB/Colorado

22.  Chargers – Derrick Harmon/DL/Oregon

23.  Packers – Jahdae Barron/CB/Texas

24.  Vikings – Nick Emmanwori/S/South Carolina

25.  Texans – Kelvin Banks Jr./OT/Texas

26.  Rams – Jihaad Campbell/LB/Alabama

27.  Ravens – Malaki Starks/S/Georgia

28.  Lions – Nic Scourton/EDGE/Texas A&M

29.  Redskins – Maxwell Hairston/CB/Kentucky

30.  Bills – Kenneth Grant/DL/Michigan

31.  Chiefs – Josh Conerly Jr/OT/Oregon

32.  Eagles – Donovan Ezeirruaku/EDGE/Boston College

[CheezWizHed]

4 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Rashan Gary would like a word with you...

Doh!  I was focused on the other end position... I suppose I should've included him there. 😂

[BrewerFan]

11 hours ago, JosephC said:

Johnson is definitely slipping.  First it was he couldn't run because of the turf toe injury, now he can't run because he has a hamstring problem.  Now I think people are questioning if he's really a 4.4 guy.  If you are a cornerback who runs a 4.55 40, you are probably not a top 10 pick.  Putting that injury cloud thing over your head doesn't help things.

Lots draftnik boards around the internet has Alexander in the 40's.  The board I put together from "high profile" sources (meaning that these guys are in a position to get feedback/input from NFL people) currently has Alexander at #86.  Note that a still have a couple lists in there that are pre-combine, so I would expect him to be a bit higher than that.  But I still think once the lists all get updated, he would probably be sitting around #75.  

I think it will take some extraordinary circumstances for the Packers to take Simmons.  I don't see Gutekunst going left tackle two years in a row.  Either Morgan would have had to thoroughly convince the Packers that he cannot play left tackle, or #23 would have to be so cleaned out of other need positions where Gutekunst just goes best player available.  And as of now, I think Simmons goes ahead of Banks, which would put him in the top 20 picks.

I wouldn't take Thornton.  I would always gravitate towards wide receivers that were productive in college, and Thornton just didn't do enough.

Johnson is in a similar situation at Morrison. Both top 10 coming into the year, both injured, neither has tested. But Johnson was good enough at Michigan I’d feel comfortable without seeing him run. I’m not sure I feel great about all the soft tissue injuries, but, no prospect at 23 is going to be flawless.

 

 Alexander looks great…and if he were 22, he’d likely be a 1st Rd pick, or in consideration. 25 years old…Clark was going into his 5th season at that age.

He can still have value(and Clark might be wearing down from all the snaps, though I hope that was just one year).

Simmons, I think San Fran takes him at 11(if they don’t go CB, but I think they go OL) and if not there, then I think he stays in state to play in the NFL as the Bengals desperately need OL help without hitting up the FA market.

But, in the unlikely scenario that he makes it past the Bengals, I’m not sure there are a lot of teams that need a LT in that following group…and I also don’t think the Packers feel great about Walker’s future. He’ll be a FA next year and nobody has mentioned signing him. Given the knee injuries, the microfracture…THAT is problem that shortens your career by a few years. I think he’s maxed out at as a solid, above average starter, but one who is prone to injuries and who just gets beat badly by the elite edges. Simmons would have even more appeal if the Packers hadn’t moved to more of a one-gap scheme and I think the most likely scenario is that Tom ends up at LT after an extension…likely one bigger than we’ve even talked about(I’m gonna guess 4 at ~28M AAV on top of the final year for ~5/115).

But I think this an under the radar need. I don’t think the Packers want to pay him the 15-20M he’ll get and I don’t know what the Packers think of Morgan. I was a fan last year, but I liked Fautanu, Guyton(though he was raw), Rosengarten(thought he was also raw). Also like Barton. I think it’s unlikely, but if the Packers think Morgan is best suited to play OG, and unless they like one of the big young Tackles they’ve got, Simmons falling to them might not be a bad thing. It would be WILDLY unpopular though.

Later on, Conerly Jr reminds me of Fautanu a bit. Shorter, long arms, good athlete. Williams from Texas is raw and then there are some guys who may be worth a flyer on later(one of Hafley’s former recruits, Trapillo and then Millum’s stock is down, but I thought he looked good.

Hopefully, Morgan makes strides but can’t beat out Walker this year and then next year they move Morgan from RG to RT and Tom over to the Left.

 

As for Thorton Jr…I’d take another look at this kid.

4.0 GPA
Class President
Team Captain
Helped raise his 4 siblings…
25.1 YPR in the SEC, over 21 for his career.

 

BUT more than that, he’s just a FREAK athlete.
6’5, 4.30 40, he broke 29 tackles last year. And yeah, he’s not a refined route runner, but he tilts the field.

I’d go back and check out the A22.
He's…VERY similar to Watson, but he tracks the ball better and he’s more of a hands catcher. I think he’ll be better in 50/50 situations.

Watson is great, he’s more sudden, he’s probably quicker, but I don’t buy this WRing core being in as much need as others do. I think Wicks has just had normal struggles and he can be a 1A, Reed has proven it. Doubs is an enigma to me. He’s clearly talented, but I don’t like the body language. Looks like he’s counting down his days in GB. Throw in Kraft, Musgrave….who looked great early as a rookie but he struggled with injury.

But I don’t think there’s been a guy with this frame and 4.30 speed and the physicality he has.

I mean…after all, Watson wasn’t very productive in College and we are MUCH better with him on the field. 6’4 and his speed. And…again, he’ll be a FA who MIGHT be back for…6-8 weeks next year.

 

I'd just take another look at the A22 and watch the releases he gets and how fluid he is. He's not Jeremiah Smith, but I think at worst he's a big play threat and the upside is...very high.

 

 

[JosephC]

Notre Dame pro day seemed to be a big bunch of nothing.

CB-Benjamin Morrison did 17 reps on the bench and nothing else.

DL-Rylie Mills did nothing after doing nothing at the combine.  I think he's an interesting 6th/7th round candidate that could play inside or out and maybe turn into a decent depth player.

TE-Mitchell Evans did everything after doing everything at the combine and the results were a bit better across the board.  I saw some reports saying he looked pretty good when doing the drills and catching the ball.  He might be a guy to look at once they get to round 5.

LB-Jack Kiser showed up at 229 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.62, which was much better than expected.  Opinions are all over the board on him.

[jay87shot]

If Tet McMillan falls past say 15 would we be interested in trading for him? I would but really only have seen highlight reels.

I would love to get Will Johnson or Barron in the 1st and then double up with Morrison in the 2nd. Especially if we let Jaire walk.

I also love Nick Emmanwori, any chance we would play him at LB? With our 3 safeties on hand I doubt we really would go after him unless he plays out of position.

[JosephC]

13 hours ago, jay87shot said:

If Tet McMillan falls past say 15 would we be interested in trading for him? I would but really only have seen highlight reels.

I would love to get Will Johnson or Barron in the 1st and then double up with Morrison in the 2nd. Especially if we let Jaire walk.

I also love Nick Emmanwori, any chance we would play him at LB? With our 3 safeties on hand I doubt we really would go after him unless he plays out of position.

I wouldn't be interested in trading up for any player in this draft.  Maybe Will Johnson if he checks out medically and he proves to be sub-4.45 (but if that happens, he probably shoots back up into the top 12 picks, putting him out of reach).  I like McMillan and think he will be a good NFL player, but most reports from the pro day indicate he ran the 40 in about 4.55 seconds (I've seen some reports having him at 4.48...majority had him at roughly 4.55).  That doesn't concern me at all, but it isn't good enough that it would motivate me to give up multiple picks for him.  I think each of the top 4 WRs (not counting Hunter) - Golden, McMillan, Burden, Egbuka - all would be worth the #23 pick and I wouldn't mind seeing Green Bay end up with any of them, but I would not trade up.

I haven't seen one mention of Emmanwori possibly being used as a linebacker.  Even though he has strong safety dimensions, I'm thinking he's best as a deep centerfield free safety that can use his speed to cover a ton of ground and dissuade the opposition from throwing a bunch of deep balls.  But could a team use him as a safety-in-name-only, but actually a linebacker who lines up over the tight end and try him as a tight-end-eraser?  He does seem to have that skill set. 

Personally, at #23, I like Emmanwori as a top trade down candidate.  I could see the Eagles, Jaguars, Jets and maybe even the Ravens all maybe willing to move up to pick him.  A few weeks ago it seemed like trade down opportunities probably wouldn't be there.  Emmanwori is a pretty good candidate,  If Gutekunst doesn't want to go WR in round one, and if Burden or Egbuka make it to #23, that would be a pretty good candidate for a trade down.  Classifying Jalon Walker as an EDGE, that makes Jihaad Campbell the top linebacker and there appears to be a pretty good gap between him and the next one (probably Carson Schwesinger), if there is a team that wants him they probably have to get ahead of the Rams at #26.  

I would currently list the Packers draft priorities as follows (in no particular order within a tier)-

1st tier = CB, DE, WR

2nd tier = DT, LT, TE

3rd tier = C, CB, LB, WR

If the plan is to have Alexander back in 2025, then cross the 3rd tier CB need off the list.  If Morgan is still viewed as the starting left tackle in 2026, then remove LT from the 2nd tier and put OT as a 3rd tier need.  I think Jenkins is a potential candidate to not be extended with Banks getting the big money, so that's why center is on the 3rd tier list.  I've just elevated TE from 3rd tier to 2nd tier after reading how much LeFleur used multiple tight end sets in 2023 and how his offense was compromised by the tight end situation in 2024,  Musgrave just has too much of an injury history to ignore, and without him they have hardly anything at the position after Kraft.

The reason I post that is there are 10 spots that need to be filled.  I think they need to pick at least 8 players in this draft.  If they trade up early, I think they will pretty much need to trade down later to regain some picks. 

[LouisEly]

19 minutes ago, JosephC said:

1st tier = CB, DE, WR

2nd tier = DT, LT, TE

3rd tier = C, CB, LB, WR

Not far off from what I have, except I have DE and DT flipped.  Slaton left in FA, the Packers have to make a 5th year option decision on Wyatt by 5/1, and Clark is due over $20M in cash in 2026 at age 31.  With the Packers already sitting at $270M in cap liabilities before any extensions for their 2022 draft class, I don't see both Wyatt and Clark - perhaps neither of them - on the 2026 team. 

I also have OG in that third tier.  Like Clark, Jenkins is due $20M at age 31 in 2026 and Rhyan will be a free agent or possibly moving to center.  The way that Glover and Telfort performed in the Eagles game, I could see GB wanting better depth in 2025 and someone ready to step in in 2026.

[jay87shot]

For me we need a No. 1 capable WR not really depth. I do love a ton of WR in this draft and coulds see some guys as late as round 3 having WR 1 upside. So WR I'd like top tier for me but once we get into like the 3rd it actually drops to like 3rd tier. It would be nice to find a bigger pass rusher who could be a end on rushing downs and a DT on passing downs (Harmon?). Otherwise I think DT is above Edge as well, Gary, Van Ness, Enegbare, Cox, and Mosby is solid. It would be nice to have a guaranteed 10+ sack guy but at 23 I don't know if anyone fits that bill. To be honest CB is my only tier 1 and that is if Jaire is gone.

[BrewerFan]

On 3/29/2025 at 9:23 PM, jay87shot said:

If Tet McMillan falls past say 15 would we be interested in trading for him? I would but really only have seen highlight reels.

I would love to get Will Johnson or Barron in the 1st and then double up with Morrison in the 2nd. Especially if we let Jaire walk.

I also love Nick Emmanwori, any chance we would play him at LB? With our 3 safeties on hand I doubt we really would go after him unless he plays out of position.

I don't think McMillan is the type of WR who is worth moving up for. Not at that cost.

Johnson and Morrison would be an interesting duo at CB. I love Barron...again, I just think he's an amazing slot/bullard type safety, but not a boundry CB. He's a little tight, short armed. 

Again, a HR pick last year, but...not ideal this year. Can play the run and has speed though, so...would be up to Hafley to figure out.

[homer]

 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

I just attempted to switch my flight to a one-way to Minneapolis/St. Paul on the 21st. I realized I can't do that from Spokane as only Delta allows direct to Mpls/St. Paul. My 24 hour trip down memory lane in the Twin Cities stays as planned - very very curious to see what has become of our old house past the bluffs of downtown St. Paul. I'll be driving to Green Bay Wednesday - oddly, nostalgically looking forward to that drive through Black River Falls and through the Pine Barrens. 

My current plan is to completely soak up Day 1 of the Draft - I pick up my good friend (and former boss from my days in the cellar at a well-known cidery in Oregon) that afternoon but we're going to soak up the full immersion draft experience me thinks. Days 2 and 3 are a bit free form. I'm sure we'll indulge in festivities in and around the draft - Titletown District and such. Our condo is about an hour away in Door County. Saturday night I am indulging at One Barrel Brewing with my Aunt and Uncle. Now that we're in April the trip is getting a bit more real. This will be my one and only NFL Draft experience. Looking forward to it.

[endaround]

I am not a huge draft guy. I do not dive into mock drafts like some. I just feel if there is a 20 year old atheletic semi-project DE available Gute will not be able to help himself. So if Scourton is there he will be the pick

[CheezWizHed]

2 hours ago, endaround said:

I am not a huge draft guy. I do not dive into mock drafts like some. I just feel if there is a 20 year old atheletic semi-project DE available Gute will not be able to help himself. So if Scourton is there he will be the pick

This is kind of how I predicted the picks.  There are three DEs that fit that profile.  I think Scourton is more a 2nd rounder, but who knows...

 

6 hours ago, homer said:

 

 

I was waiting to see how he compared here.  Dude just constantly looked like a football player out there with outstanding instincts (hello Jimmy L).  Now that he showed he has legit athleticism and a football size, he has to go in the mid rounds right?  If he is there in the 6th grab him!  We don't need him... but I think he is just going to be one of those guys. 

[GAME05]

I'm more inclined to be contrary and guess that DE falls lower on Guten's priority list than we think. A NT to replace Clark next season or a CB or WR I think are higher targets and we don't see a DE until Round 4 unless there's a trade down for more picks.

Steelers taking Sanders would make sense there and would also be hilarious. I wonder if Rodgers would retire if they do and not risk having too poor games mid-season and getting benched. Unless the Giants actually want him?

[JosephC]

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in for an official visit.

Egbuka has really grown on me, not because of any positive outstanding traits, but more because there just aren't any real negatives surrounding him.

He has solid size - 6-0 7/8, 202 pounds, 31 1/2 inch arms

Athletic ability is solid - 4.45 40, 38" vertical jump, 4.12 short shuttle

College production was very good - 2677 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns over last three season, missed some time in 2023 with a sprained ankle

Injury history - Had the aforementioned sprained ankle, that didn't have any negative impact on his play in 2024.  Could not find any other information regarding any notable injuries.

Character - No known character issues.

For whatever reason, now that he has a solid link to Green Bay, I doubt he will be the Packer's pick.  But I have really grown to like this guy.  Golden was never very productive prior to this last season, and there were instances this season where Burden just didn't seem that competitive.  The Packers also had Golden in for a visit, but looking at the history of production, I would much rather see them take Egbuka.

Removing Travis Hunter from the equation, it's interesting how different the next 4 wide receivers are in this class.  McMillan is the big guy with a huge catch radius and excellent ball skills.  Golden is the speed guy.  Burden is the dynamic run-after-catch guy.  Egbuka is the smooth, fluid and precise route runner.

I would throw Higgins into that group, but he's lagging far behind the others when assembling a consensus board.

Right now the board that I assemble (from the draft reporters, not from me) has the receiver ranking at follows:

1.  Travis Hunter/CB-WR/Colorado (#1 overall)

2.  Tetairoa McMillan/Arizona (#8 overall)

3.  Luther Burden III/Missouri (#13 overall)

4.  Matthew Golden/Texas (#24 overall)

5.  Emeka Egbuka/Ohio State (#26 overall)

6.  Jack Bech/Texas Christian (early to mid round two)

7.  Jayden Higgins/Iowa State (mid to late round two)

8.  Tre Harris/Mississippi (late round two)

9.  Elic Ayomanor/Stanford (late round two/early round three)

10. Jalen Royals/Utah State (early to mid round three)

11.  Jaylin Noel/Iowa State (early to mid round three)

12. Isaiah Bond/Texas (mid round three)

13. Xavier Restrepo/Miami, Fl (late round three/early round four)

14. Savion Williams/Texas Christian (late round three/early round four)

15. Tez Johnson/Oregon (mid round four)

16. Tory Horton/Colorado State (mid round four)

17. Dominic Lovett/Georgia (late round four/early round five)

18. Nick Nash/San Jose State (early to mid round five)

19. Kyle Williams/Washington State (early to mid round five)

20. Elijhah Badger/Florida (mid round five)

21. Dont'e Thornton Jr./Tennessee (mid round five)

22. Pat Bryant/Illinois (mid to late round five)

23. Jaylin Lane/Virginia Tech (late round five)

24. Isaac TeSlaa/Arkansas (round six)

[LouisEly]

13 minutes ago, JosephC said:

Egbuka has really grown on me, not because of any positive outstanding traits, but more because there just aren't any real negatives surrounding him.

He finished his career as Ohio State's all time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Think about that for a minute.  Cris Carter, Harrison Jr., Olave, Garrett Wilson, Smith-Njigba, David Boston, Joey Galloway, Michael Thomas, Terry Glenn, Ted Ginn, Santonio Holmes...

Then think about who he shared time with and had to beat out just to get on the field.

[jay87shot]

JJ Watt may be available, would you trade 2 1st and like Jaire (and pay Watt like 4/160). I was against doing that for Myles Garrett but find myself wanting Watt. I know my Badger ties are clouding my judgement her but I would be willing to do that. On top of that I would then call JJ (only 36) and offer up a sweet 1 year deal. Watt brothers, Neal, and Clark would be scary.

What type of value would Malik Willis have? Maybe a 3rd/4th round pick? I kind of think we should try and extend him like 2/12 and if he declines trade him and take a backup qb. I like Milroe, McCord, Shough, Ewers as 3-5 round picks and even Leonard, Rourke, and Gabriel as 6-7. 

If the couple top corners are gone I am kind of leaning towards Derrick Harmon, I think he will be a lot like Calais Campbell and DeForest Buckner as a guy who can play inside or outside and be a big help with the pass rush and run game.

[JosephC]

53 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

JJ Watt may be available, would you trade 2 1st and like Jaire (and pay Watt like 4/160). I was against doing that for Myles Garrett but find myself wanting Watt. I know my Badger ties are clouding my judgement her but I would be willing to do that. On top of that I would then call JJ (only 36) and offer up a sweet 1 year deal. Watt brothers, Neal, and Clark would be scary.

What type of value would Malik Willis have? Maybe a 3rd/4th round pick? I kind of think we should try and extend him like 2/12 and if he declines trade him and take a backup qb. I like Milroe, McCord, Shough, Ewers as 3-5 round picks and even Leonard, Rourke, and Gabriel as 6-7. 

If the couple top corners are gone I am kind of leaning towards Derrick Harmon, I think he will be a lot like Calais Campbell and DeForest Buckner as a guy who can play inside or outside and be a big help with the pass rush and run game.

I would not, largely because Watt turns 31 shortly into next year.  I have no doubt he'll be good next year and the following year, but after that it gets sketchy and we'd be talking about massive cap numbers later in this type of deal.  A 4 year, 160 million dollar deal, annual cap numbers would be something like 21 million in 2025, 26 million in 2026, 41 million in 2027, 56 million in 2028 and then they still would be responsible for a 16 million dollar cap number in 2029 due to the void year(s).  The 2026 cap number likely forces Jenkins off the roster, but I have a feeling that's could happen anyway (by then I think Tom will have a big contract, Banks already has a big contract...I don't see the Packers keeping Jenkins with a 20+ million cap number to play center in 2026...there will be a renegotiation including a likely reduction in salary or he'll be released).

But if Watt's play declines to "above average" in 2027...then we are talking about an "above average" player having a 41 million dollar cap figure in 2027 and the Packers would still be on the hook for 32 million that they would likely spread out over 2028 and 2029.  Add in that we lose 2 first round picks and this is an easy no from me.  If you are only talking about picks OR talking about money, that's a different story.  But money and picks, I don't like the deal at all.

I don't like this QB class at all and am perfectly content with Willis.

Harmon could very well be the pick, but I think he would have been a much better fit in Joe Barry's defense as a 3-4 defensive end.  In Hafley's defense, Harmon likely gets put in as a 3-technique with the Packers thinking he'd blossom into a legit pass-rusher...and I don't know if that's going to happen.  

[Team Canada]

12 hours ago, jay87shot said:

JJ Watt may be available

I think you mean TJ. :)

[JosephC]

Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in for an official visit.  I think he's much more quick and agile than he's given credit for.  One of those guys that plays like his hair is on fire, but sometimes it just doesn't seem like he gets very much done.  Built like a nose tackle, but lacks play-strength and is more of a 3-technique.  Was interested to see what he would do during the Ohio State Pro Day, but he cramped up running the 40 and wiped-out and then didn't do anything else.  No way he is worth #23, but worth a look if the Packers trade down to something like #32.

Current defensive tackle ratings on the consensus board-

1. Mason Graham/Michigan (#3 overall)

2. Walter Nolan/Mississippi (#15 overall)

3. Kenneth Grant/Michigan (#27 overall)

4. Derrick Harmon/Oregon (#28 overall)

5. Tyleik Williams/Ohio State (early round two)

6. TJ Sanders/South Carolina (mid to late round two) - also had an official visit in Green Bay

7. Shermar Turner/Texas A&M (late round two)

8. Alfred Collins/Texas (late round two)

9. Darius Alexander/Toledo (early round three)

10. Joshua Farmer/Florida State (early to mid round three)

11. Omarr Norman-Lott/Tennessee (mid round three)

12. Deone Walker/Kentucky (mid round three)

13. Jordan Phillips/Maryland (late round three)

14. CJ West/Indiana (late round three)

15. Vernon Broughton/Texas (late round three/early round four)

16. JJ Pegues/Mississippi (early to mid round four)

17. Jamaree Caldwell/Oregon (mid round four)

18. Cam Jackson/Florida (late round four)

19. Ty Hamilton/Ohio State (late round four)

20. Ty Robinson/Nebraska (early round five)

21. Aeneas Peebles/Virginia Tech (early to mid round five)

22. Warren Brinson/Georgia (mid round five)

23. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins/Georgia (mid round five)

24, Rylie Mills/Notre Dame (late round five/early round six)

[wallus]

13 hours ago, jay87shot said:

JJ Watt may be available

[jay87shot]

yep sorry, meant TJ Watt. JJ is just a pipe dream of past missed opportunities and maybe a chance to convince him to play for us if TJ was on the team. Heck we could probably hire Derek as an assistant RB coach or something.

[CheezWizHed]

JJ Watt was also one of my past pipe dreams, but given his late career injuries, it was a happy miss (unfortunately for him).  Now if we had drafted him... 

Reading about Kenneth Grant today and am intrigued.  Really low bench press scores might limit his impact initially, but that will be improved.  Otherwise, he sounds like Gilbert Brown that moves like early career Kenny Clark. 

[LouisEly]

I think that most if not all of the 1st/2nd round projected players they bring in for official visits are backup plans so that they don't get caught with their pants down if the guys who they really want in those rounds aren't available.  I think that after the first round there is a big dropoff in DT talent.  I would consider Tyleik Williams at #54 but I would not move up from #54 to take him.  My guess is that he's a backup plan if they get skunked out of Harmon/Nolen in the 1st.

I read that they've only drafted something like 2 of the 26 players they've brought in who ended up getting selected in the first round.  One of them was Love who was a virtual visit in 2020 when the combine and pro days got shut down by COVID, so I'm not sure if that really counts.  Wyatt is the only player they've drafted who they have physically brought to Green Bay on an official visit and then drafted in the first round.

Fun fact - Devonte Wyatt has 4.5 more sacks than any other DT taken in the entire 2022 draft.  In fact, between the entire 2022 and 2021 drafts, the only DTs with more sacks than Wyatt (12) are Christian Barmore (13.5) and Osa Odighizuwa (13.5) and both were a part of the 2021 draft.

 

[BrewerFan]

On 4/10/2025 at 11:18 AM, JosephC said:

I would not, largely because Watt turns 31 shortly into next year.  I have no doubt he'll be good next year and the following year, but after that it gets sketchy and we'd be talking about massive cap numbers later in this type of deal.  A 4 year, 160 million dollar deal, annual cap numbers would be something like 21 million in 2025, 26 million in 2026, 41 million in 2027, 56 million in 2028 and then they still would be responsible for a 16 million dollar cap number in 2029 due to the void year(s).  The 2026 cap number likely forces Jenkins off the roster, but I have a feeling that's could happen anyway (by then I think Tom will have a big contract, Banks already has a big contract...I don't see the Packers keeping Jenkins with a 20+ million cap number to play center in 2026...there will be a renegotiation including a likely reduction in salary or he'll be released).

But if Watt's play declines to "above average" in 2027...then we are talking about an "above average" player having a 41 million dollar cap figure in 2027 and the Packers would still be on the hook for 32 million that they would likely spread out over 2028 and 2029.  Add in that we lose 2 first round picks and this is an easy no from me.  If you are only talking about picks OR talking about money, that's a different story.  But money and picks, I don't like the deal at all.

I don't like this QB class at all and am perfectly content with Willis.

Harmon could very well be the pick, but I think he would have been a much better fit in Joe Barry's defense as a 3-4 defensive end.  In Hafley's defense, Harmon likely gets put in as a 3-technique with the Packers thinking he'd blossom into a legit pass-rusher...and I don't know if that's going to happen.  

I'd give the contract to Watt...I wouldn't give up the 1sts. 

LVN has been better his first two years than Gary was his first two...so there's a LOT of reason to think he'll improve. Watt could be used with those two as he's so versatile, but the only player I'd have considered the multiple 1sts+contract for would have been Crosby due to his age.

Watt would probably be too much because of his Wisconsin connection that may skew Packers fans perception...but he is an incredible edge and I think it's kinda like Baseball, you overpay a bit on the front end. Just not that much in draft pick compensation. 

 

And big old 6'8 Cailas Campbell has signed a new deal and will play for AZ. The guy just KEEPS playing at a high level. 5.5M, 2.5M incentives. Was offered more by at least 2 teams, so he was always likely going to one of a handful of places and GB may not have been one of them. But he'd have been a difference maker. 

 

I have just one out the box idea or thought(at least related to the Packers)...if Campbell from 'Bama is there...you might have to take him. He's an Off-ball and I get Walker and Cooper, but that'd be the LB'ing group from hell. And I don't like taking LBs early... just watching some of his A22, he make some bad reads and he's such an athlete he still makes the play. Give him more time as a MLB and I think he could be a Kuechly type or a Patrick Willis type. 

Actually I see a lot more Derrick Brooks in a bigger body and frame when all is said and done, but I don't know if he'll be around anyway.