This year, the 2025 NFL Draft was held in Green Bay, and the Packers used the historic occasion to do something different from their previous drafts. They drafted wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas in the first round, something they have not done since they drafted Javon Walker from Florida State in 2002.
After coming into last season with a Super Bowl aspiration, the Packers finished 11-6 last season behind the Detroit Lions and even behind the Minnesota Vikings. Even worse, they lost the Bears on the final play of the regular season, and were bounced by the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Wildcard game the following Sunday.
After telling everyone they do not need a No. 1 receiver, both the head coach, Matt LaFleur, and team president Mark Murphy, who announced the pick in front of their fans, realized that their offense needs more firepower to compete in the suddenly competitive NFC North, including the Chicago Bears. Here is a look at what the Green Bay Packers did in their draft.
Round | Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
1(23) | Matthew Golden | Wide Receiver | Texas |
2(54) | Anthony Belton | Offensive Tackle | North Carolina State |
3(87) | Savion Williams | Wide Receiver | TCU |
4(116) | Barryn Sorrell | Edge Rusher | Texas |
5(159) | Collin Oliver | Linebacker | Oklahoma State |
6(198) | Warren Brinson | Defensive Tackle | Georgia |
7(237) | Micah Robinson | Defensive Back | Tulane |
7(250) | John Williams | Guard | Cincinnati |
Golden offers something that their current receivers do not have: Speed. He ran 4.29 in the 40-yard dash in this year's NFL Draft Combine and put himself in the first-round conversation. The decision to draft Golden was met with enthusiasm from both the fans and their star running back, Josh Jacobs, who wanted the team to add a No. 1 wide receiver this offseason, even if it ruffled a few feathers inside the organization. The Bears' secondary must limit his big-play capabilities next season.
Anthony Belton is a giant man listed at 6'6", 336 pounds, and aptly nicknamed "Escalade". He is also considered a reach here. He was a left tackle at North Carolina State, but many experts believe he does not have the footwork to play that position. With Rasheed Walker and last year's first-round pick Jordan Morgan also in the mix, he will likely move inside. They also drafted another offensive lineman late in the draft in John Williams, who is also another candidate to move inside.
The Packers added another receiver in Savion Williams in the third round. Williams is listed at 6'4", 222 pounds, much different from Golden (5'11",198 pounds). Draft expert Todd McSahy compared him to ex-Bear Cordelle Patterson, in which the Packers can use Williams in a jet sweep, and special teams, as he works on his route running skills and other nuances to be a more complete NFL receiver..
From rounds 4-7, the Packers added intriguing defensive rookies to be their depth pieces. Sorrell attended the draft with his parents, which should endear him to the diehard Packers' fans. He was a solid player for Texas, both against the run and as a pass rusher.
Oliver is a hybrid defensive end/off-ball linebacker who was explosive and productive at Oklahoma State. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Jeff Hatley plans to deploy him. Brinson has a strong chance to make the active roster because they lost T.J. Slaton, who left in free agency to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals. Robinson was seen as more of a UDFA candidate, yet the Packers drafted him in the 7th round. He seems destined to be a practice squad candidate.
Overall Grade: B+
Their decision to draft not one, but two receivers high could be a sign that incumbents, Christian Watson, Rome Doubs, or Dontayvion Wicks could be either traded or cut. They failed to make an impact last year due to injuries and inconsistencies. They also have capable tight ends in Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrove. They can give them only so many touches. The battle to make the team could be interesting. But it could also cause a lot of friction.
They gave Jordan Love a massive contract last offseason, but he struggled in 2024. They need him to step up his game in 2025. Drafting both Golden and Williams is a message that they have a lot of faith in Love. But there are no more excuses for him, and even head coach Matt LaFleur this upcoming season.