2025 Draft Prospects for Packers

[Heyjoe4]

I like Jihaad Campbell in the first. Anyone who can improve the pass rush and get to the ball faster is an improvement. I like several LBs projected throughout the draft. I don’t care for McDuffie. There’s enough talent in this draft to significantly upgrade that position.

Agreed that the Packers can do better than McDuffie. I don't know Campbell well enough but I take your word he's a first-round talent (but what were his parents thinking when they named him?).

Cooper is the anchor of the LBs now. I'm all for putting more talent around him, or seeing if Hopper can be that guy. Anyway they can increase pressures on a QB - it's certainly a need whether it's at LB or Edge or both. This draft does seem pretty solid at DL, Edge, and maybe LB. And there appears to be a lot of value in rounds 3-5.

As for Quay Walker - he improved last year, but has to get better. If Cooper turns out to be a rusher, maybe hold Walker back to defend the run and drop into coverage, two things he's good at. No reason he can't be better with some coaching and teamwork.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I have to admit it bugs me when people talk of Jaire as maybe not being the right kind of person. What the hell do any of you know? A couple immature pranks? He gives it his all when he is out there. To answer the next question... Obviously

Agreed. He's a little whacky but it doesn't detract from his play, well when he can play. And I think he's held in high regard by his teammates.

I'm sure it's as frustrating for him to be injured as it is for the coaches and us fans. He's still young and if he's had his knee fixed this offseason, I expect he'll be back. If the Drs have still have injury questions, then I think Gluten walks away from him. That's a shame, but a player has to be available outside of a major injury like an ACL tear. Chronic injuries just don't work, and that's life in pro sports.

 

[tynimiller]

Day3 Flyer Favorites....

Technically a Day3 likely guy I'll lead this off with Jack Nelson OT from Wisconsin. He's a little taller than our normal but as @Dantés and others have broken down we traditionally loosen our "goal posts" if you will some into Day3. He measured in at 6'7" 314lbs with 10 inch mittens and 33.5 inch arms. In 2021 he was the starter at RG for the Badgers and the next three held down LT for them - and did it extremely well. Only 9 sacks given up over that time, with just 1 this past year and even more impressive only 9 pressures credited to him per PFF in 2024. He's been through multiple systems in his time at Wisconsin and continued to prove he was their consistency along that front. His frame, his strength, run blocking nastiness and hand abilities to me are positives...whether he has the agility and quickness to play LT at the next level is the only question mark...if he illustrated more confirmation of this he'd be a top 125 prospect at OT. He could easily be a high level guard in the NFL however I think any team that picks him tests him at OT first because of how much success he has had there and his frame. *I keep seeing a Rasheed Walker type guy...high high floor traits across the board but perhaps not enough high ceiling indicators which cause some doubt to keep his ranking suppressed (justifiably).

Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan OT from Oregon State is a project I REALLY want us to inherit. I am patiently waiting to see if some of his testing results at the Oregon State pro day get out to us because I think for being MASSIVE he is going to test well...speaking of the man called "Tank" his frame is 6'8' 328lbs with 9.88 mitts and 35.875 inch arms. EVERYTHING about him screams tackle at the next level. He struggled some while at Colorado but transferred to Oregon State and in 2024 was insanely good. PFF grading out at 83.9 overall / 77.5 RunBlk / 86.4 PassBlk Many say he is a UDFA/7th rounder....I personally if his testing confirms my suspicions will be bullish and say he has a 5th round grade from me.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan OT from Oregon State is a project I REALLY want us to inherit.... speaking of the man called "Tank" his frame is 6'8' 328lbs with 9.88 mitts and 35.875 inch arms.

I guess he needs to be that big in order to fit that whole last name on the back of his jersey.

He sounds intriguing. How's his athleticism? Does he move well for a guy that size? I looked up some draft profiles, and found his height listed as high as 6'9" or even 6'10"! Does an OT that tall have trouble getting his pad level low enough to get under a pass rusher?


Cowboys probably want nothing to do with him; he'd give McCarthy a stroke.

But the few draft profiles I found were just crazy about him; how does he project as a 7th rounder with all those things going for him?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Day3 Flyer Favorites....

Technically a Day3 likely guy I'll lead this off with Jack Nelson OT from Wisconsin. He's a little taller than our normal but as @Dantés and others have broken down we traditionally loosen our "goal posts" if you will some into Day3. He measured in at 6'7" 314lbs with 10 inch mittens and 33.5 inch arms. In 2021 he was the starter at RG for the Badgers and the next three held down LT for them - and did it extremely well. Only 9 sacks given up over that time, with just 1 this past year and even more impressive only 9 pressures credited to him per PFF in 2024. He's been through multiple systems in his time at Wisconsin and continued to prove he was their consistency along that front. His frame, his strength, run blocking nastiness and hand abilities to me are positives...whether he has the agility and quickness to play LT at the next level is the only question mark...if he illustrated more confirmation of this he'd be a top 125 prospect at OT. He could easily be a high level guard in the NFL however I think any team that picks him tests him at OT first because of how much success he has had there and his frame. *I keep seeing a Rasheed Walker type guy...high high floor traits across the board but perhaps not enough high ceiling indicators which cause some doubt to keep his ranking suppressed (justifiably).

Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan OT from Oregon State is a project I REALLY want us to inherit. I am patiently waiting to see if some of his testing results at the Oregon State pro day get out to us because I think for being MASSIVE he is going to test well...speaking of the man called "Tank" his frame is 6'8' 328lbs with 9.88 mitts and 35.875 inch arms. EVERYTHING about him screams tackle at the next level. He struggled some while at Colorado but transferred to Oregon State and in 2024 was insanely good. PFF grading out at 83.9 overall / 77.5 RunBlk / 86.4 PassBlk Many say he is a UDFA/7th rounder....I personally if his testing confirms my suspicions will be bullish and say he has a 5th round grade from me.

I like both of these guys, but I know more about Nelson, since he is/was a Badger. Really hard to go wrong with drafting a Badger Offensive Lineman and in most cases, a Badger LB as well. The Packers seem to get a lot out of late round offensive lineman and with the current offensive starting line pretty much set (at least in numbers), if either of these guys are available in the 5th round or later, I would grab one of them for immediate depth. Nelson could have a big upside, he needs work on maintaining his blocks, but he has the physicality to play tackle in the NFL and with the right coaching, could be a starter in a few years.

 

[tynimiller]

I guess he needs to be that big in order to fit that whole last name on the back of his jersey.

He sounds intriguing. How's his athleticism? Does he move well for a guy that size? I looked up some draft profiles, and found his height listed as high as 6'9" or even 6'10"! Does an OT that tall have trouble getting his pad level low enough to get under a pass rusher?


Cowboys probably want nothing to do with him; he'd give McCarthy a stroke.

But the few draft profiles I found were just crazy about him; how does he project as a 7th rounder with all those things going for him?

Ignore listings always, rely on the combine measurements - which he came in at 6'8' and honestly with his height he carries his weight very well and isn't crazy big. He hasn't done testing yet, but assume he will at Oregon State's pro day. His film shows solid mirror abilities and quickness hasn't been the issue for me in reps I see him "lose" it is his footwork and getting out over his heals too much (both very coachable corrections IMO).

 

[tynimiller]

Couple more Day3 guys I love....

Joshua Gray OG is a guard that just so happens to be from Oregon State (just like his Tackle buddy I listed yesterday). I actually noticed him last year and a lot this year watching tape on Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan OT. Gray actually up until 2024 season had been a starting LT for YEARS for Oregon State, even started a bunch as a freshman. Dude is a warrior that does not miss time, Has never given up more than 2 sacks in a season and last two seasons less than 15 pressures total (that's almost only 1 per game rate). He catches your attention in film as an athletic freak but I was pumped to have seen how well he did sliding inside because that was always where he was best suited with his arm length (31.38 inches). He can absolutely move so IF we wanted to attack defenses with guard pulls or expect him to get to the second level he can, his 10 yard split is an astounding 1.69. RAS is 9.55. I could see a team wanting to add real solid potential future depth on the interior using a 5th on him, I have a 6th (+) on him.

Joe Huber OG from Wisconsin...we will just keep the trend of staying in the same school as a Tackle favorite (Jack Nelson) on Day3. Huber like Gray used to be a tackle, starting at RT in 2022 (Cincinnati) before switching to LG in 2023 in his first year with the Badgers and starting all year, and then switching to RG primarily in 2024 all season except did have 16 snaps at center too. Proving he can excel on both sides and inside/outside is exactly why I want him added to our OL room. I like him more than Monk personally and have a 5th round grade on him. He's got more length on him than Gray at 32.25 inches but is a little slower athlete but more of a mover in the trenches and really shines due to his wrestling background on using leverage to his advantage. Let's also not forget he gave up only 5 sacks in all these years too, and barely any pressures the last two year (7 and 12).

Clay Webb OG Jacksonville State - Small school crush of mine for Day 3 just might settle on Clay Webb. There is a LOT to like about this cat. His strength is impressive, he manhandles opponents in his time at LG. He doesn't have a massive frame, but what is their is like an oak tree planted in the ground strength wise. He tested incredibly well and actually illustrated an ability to move more than I envisioned he had. I would LOVE to see him work on possibly transferring to center at the next level because his leverage and strength game could be the difference between a team running between the guards with success or having NTs shred that part of the playbook. A project to do this but worth it IMO, or you have a high floor guard for depth worst case.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

WR
1 - Tetairoa McMillan

Rather interesting to read that Gute was the only GM to attend McMillan's private workout on Monday. Given that many have McMillan as the top WR in the draft, the Packers would probably have to trade pretty far up to have a shot at him.

If nothing else, Gute taking the time to attend that workout might tell us that the Packers are contemplating using a high pick(s) on a WR.

 

[Dantés]

Rather interesting to read that Gute was the only GM to attend McMillan's private workout on Monday. Given that many have McMillan as the top WR in the draft, the Packers would probably have to trade pretty far up to have a shot at him.

If nothing else, Gute taking the time to attend that workout might tell us that the Packers are contemplating using a high pick(s) on a WR.

I’m not sure if you still have me on ignore or not, but Jeremiah and Band, who both tend to be pretty plugged in, mock Tet in the late teens/early 20’s. So the trade up, if one is necessary, maybe wouldn’t need to be that big.

 

[tynimiller]

Rather interesting to read that Gute was the only GM to attend McMillan's private workout on Monday. Given that many have McMillan as the top WR in the draft, the Packers would probably have to trade pretty far up to have a shot at him.

If nothing else, Gute taking the time to attend that workout might tell us that the Packers are contemplating using a high pick(s) on a WR.

Like @Dantés eluded to Golden appears to possibly have the top spot on many teams boards now and than it is a micture of Luther, Egbuka and Tet.

 

[OldSchool101]

Like @Dantés eluded to Golden appears to possibly have the top spot on many teams boards now and than it is a micture of Luther, Egbuka and Tet.

I hope to get one of the Texas boys. Either Golden on O or Jahdae Barron on D.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I hope to get one of the Texas boys. Either Golden on O or Jahdae Barron on D.

Yeah drafting either one of those guys would be welcome news for me. The depth at iDL/DT/Edge is good this year and I don't think Gluten has to address it in Round 1 if one of these guys is there at #23.

Sure seems like the consensus opinion is that JA will be traded, or more likely, released. The CB group needs guys who can play, a big problem with JA. Too bad really cause he is an otherwise excellent CB.

 

[OldSchool101]

Yeah drafting either one of those guys would be welcome news for me. The depth at iDL/DT/Edge is good this year and I don't think Gluten has to address it in Round 1 if one of these guys is there at #23.

Sure seems like the consensus opinion is that JA will be traded, or more likely, released. The CB group needs guys who can play, a big problem with JA. Too bad really cause he is an otherwise excellent CB.

Yes and Yes to questions involving availability/health. He’s never been a question as to ability.
Personally I would offer him a restructure that pays him -$2.5Mil less guaranteed annually IF JA plays less than 51% of available snaps per season..BUT pays him +$2.5Mil MORE per season than current if he plays over 65% of available snaps.l (call it 12+ games)

I’d sweeten that olive branch offer with my personal commitment to him. 500K. That’s every postseason contest he plays over 65% of snaps regardless of regular season thresholds. Opportunity to earn up to $4.5Mil more in 2025 and +$4.5Mil in 2026 if he performs and Maximizes his pay plan. It’s either betting on himself…and the team.. .or betting against himself and against the team. I want to see where his team commitment level is and where his personal confidence level is in real time.

If JA spirals into more health issues? The Packers wipe an additional $5Mil off the books and add that to our Cap free up to $22.14Mil in 2026, through his departure.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yes.
Personally I would offer him a restructure that pays him ~$2mil less annually if he plays less than 50% of available snaps, but pays him $3mil more if he plays over 65% of available snaps. Plus 500K per playoff contest he plays over 65% of snaps. I feel like his response would show where his mindset is. If he’s not confident he’s going be out there? he’d obviously going to refuse that offer.

Yeah if JA wants to stay in GB, and that's a long way from a given, an incentive-based deal, as you outline, makes sense.

And if another interested team(s) shows up, I'm sure they would only offer an incentive-based deal.

It just feels like the Packers and the fans are suffering from JA exhaustion. Time to move on imo.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yes.
Personally I would offer him a restructure that pays him ~$2mil less annually IF JA plays less than 50% of available snaps in any given year. BUT pays him $3mil MORE than current if he plays over 65% of available snaps.

I’d sweeten that with 500K per playoff contest he plays over 65% of snaps. Thats potential to earn $5mil more than current if he’s relatively healthy and we get to a SB.

I feel like his response would show where his mindset is. If he’s not confident he’s going be out there? he’d obviously going to refuse that potential League leading $$. It’s either betting on himself….or betting against himself.

For the Packers. If he’s out there LESS than around 9-10 games, it’s a $2mil kickback and when he’s traded or cut next season, it’s another $2mil kickback for 2026. So his non

I know some of us have talked about a restructure for JA, but I think if it was possible, it probably would have already happened. Not to shut the door on it still happening, but JA has the mindset of being a top CB in the NFL and no doubt feels like he should be paid like one. He and his agent probably already know what other teams would pay him, if the Packers cut him. His past injuries are probably more of a negative for the Packers and us fans, then they would be for a new team. I'm also quite certain that JA and his agent are telling everyone that he is 100% health wise and ready to go. Also working in Jaire's favor are some of the new deals handed out to CB's.

 

[OldSchool101]

Yeah if JA wants to stay in GB, and that's a long way from a given, an incentive-based deal, as you outline, makes sense.

And if another interested team(s) shows up, I'm sure they would only offer an incentive-based deal.

It just feels like the Packers and the fans are suffering from JA exhaustion. Time to move on imo.

Initially I was I board with that also. However we are currently - at CB. Let me explain my thought there. Last year we got 8 games of +Starter level CB play from JA. While that’s not ideal, it’s still 1/2 season of CB1. Now I’m not speaking to $$ because either way his Cap is punishing playing or not playing.

This year we cut him and get zero. Zero games played, but we still pay
him. Not to mention CB then gets elevated to our #1 #2 need if he’s gone imo. I’d much rather go after DE, DT or WR with draft selections #23/#55.

Last year I saw our 3 biggest weakness es at Offense weapon, Pass Rush and OL depth. We addressed OL and we get Morgan tossed in which by default helps depth. Cutting JA puts CB back into our top need. Unless we go after a mid level CB signing we are ultra thin there.

 

[OldSchool101]

I know some of us have talked about a restructure for JA, but I think if it was possible, it probably would have already happened. Not to shut the door on it still happening, but JA has the mindset of being a top CB in the NFL and no doubt feels like he should be paid like one. He and his agent probably already know what other teams would pay him, if the Packers cut him. His past injuries are probably more of a negative for the Packers and us fans, then they would be for a new team. I'm also quite certain that JA and his agent are telling everyone that he is 100% health wise and ready to go. Also working in Jaire's favor are some of the new deals handed out to CB's.

While that all sounds good. JA has injury questions marks in GB and out of GB. The guy has played roughly 1/2 games spanning 2 seasons. It just could be the best thing for him is proving his availability first and then being traded next season. Really might be best for both sides to find some middle ground. If I’m a GM it’s 0% chance he gets top 5 $$$ without a better indicator on his health. No better indicator than on field performance. Even great players take pay cuts for ???

If JA parts ways. Add CB to our top need and everything pushes downward. The only thing I can see that would rectify this would be an adding a Veteran Starter at CB in his place. As you know, it’s Really hard to snap our fingers at CB for a + starter. So now we’re moving backwards at CB. While it’s easy to walk players, this is not just any player and we’d better have a darn good plan in place to replace JA. Likely involving #23 overall. Our Pass coverage will go from lacking to lackluster real fast if we lose our CB1

I often try to encourage others through their fears when they see these type player /position losses and it generally upsets them as they don’t want comfort, they want results. Which I understand that concept
Here I’m going to just cry with them because CB goes to our weakest group if we cut JA. It might be wonderful for financial reasoning, but it absolutely positively does not help the position group.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This year we cut him and get zero. Zero games played, but we still pay
him.

This is kind of misnomer that people need to stop looking at. Besides his workout bonus of $700K, no NEW money would be paid to Jaire, until he was on the final roster to start the season.

All the "money" that people are looking at, in regards to JA, in the way of dead cap hits, has already been paid out to JA, for previous work. This is what happens when you push money out, in favor of taking smaller cap hits in the first few years of a contract. JA has been paid, the Packers MUST report all previous money on the cap, no matter what they do with JA.

It all comes down to "Do the Packers want to pay JA NEW contracted money, which this season is $17M+ the workout bonus and $267,647 (total amount) for active game bonuses. The current dead cap money needs to be taken out of the decision making process. It's gone, spent...just needs to be accounted for.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

While that all sounds good. JA has injury questions marks in GB and out of GB. The guy has played roughly 1/2 games spanning 2 seasons. It just could be the best thing for him is proving his availability first and then being traded next season. Really might be best for both sides.

While you are correct and I am sure that the Packers are thinking about the fact that they may not get a full season out of JA, they will have to decide if his past injuries make him more injury prone. Who do you replace him with and will that player be less of an injury risk?

There have been plenty of pro athletes that have had a year or 2 of bad luck with injuries, but then finish out their careers relatively injury free.

In comparison to guys like Kevin King or Christian Watson, I would say I am less worried about JA getting hurt than I was with King and am with Watson.

 

[Heyjoe4]

While you are correct and I am sure that the Packers are thinking about the fact that they may not get a full season out of JA, they will have to decide if his past injuries make him more injury prone. Who do you replace him with and will that player be less of an injury risk?

There have been plenty of pro athletes that have had a year or 2 of bad luck with injuries, but then finish out their careers relatively injury free.

In comparison to guys like Kevin King or Christian Watson, I would say I am less worried about JA getting hurt than I was with King and am with Watson.

Yeah Watson had chronic hamstring problems for at least two years. He fixes that up only to tear his ACL on a non-contact play. And there have been other times when he was injured. Totally subjective, but Watson looks too fragile to play WR consistently in the NFL.

I don't think JA's injuries show a pattern from year-to-year. Last year was agonizing for all because there was a chance his knee would heal. Is he injury prone? I don't know but do know that when he does play, he's very, very good. I don't think he's a bad teammate or a disruption.

Maybe the biggest issue with bringing JA back is that he takes up a roster spot. Seems worth the risk given the other options at CB.

 

[OldSchool101]

While you are correct and I am sure that the Packers are thinking about the fact that they may not get a full season out of JA, they will have to decide if his past injuries make him more injury prone. Who do you replace him with and will that player be less of an injury risk?

There have been plenty of pro athletes that have had a year or 2 of bad luck with injuries, but then finish out their careers relatively injury free.

In comparison to guys like Kevin King or Christian Watson, I would say I am less worried about JA getting hurt than I was with King and am with Watson.

True. I think he’s worth $17Mil and change
In 2025 that barely cracks the Top 20 highest paid CB.
Trevon Diggs rounds out the top 10 list at $19.4mil. I think JA is in that 19th area, which is very fair.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think he’s worth $17Mil n change
In 2025 that barely cracks the Top 20 highest paid CB.
Trevon Diggs is at #10 at $19.4mil

I tend to agree with you. When healthy, his skill set makes him the best CB option that the Packers currently have. Sucks he has been injured and has missed a lot of games, I am just not as convinced as some that the Packers should just purge him for fear of injuries.

If I am Gute, I am more concerned about whether JA is willing to play when he does have an injury that trainers feel is healed enough to go. Meaning, if JA decides he doesn't want to play because he doesn't feel that he is 100%, that would be a big red flag for me.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Maybe the biggest issue with bringing JA back is that he takes up a roster spot. Seems worth the risk given the other options at CB.

I don't worry that much about the roster spot, I worry more about the cap hit. Roster spots are more fluent, especially with the new IR and Practice squad rules. However, once you put him on the roster in Sept., his $17M instantly hits the cap and stays there.

If he was making $3M/year, his past injury status probably doesn't bother anyone.

 

[OldSchool101]

I tend to agree with you. When healthy, his skill set makes him the best CB option that the Packers currently have. Sucks he has been injured and has missed a lot of games, I am just not as convinced as some that the Packers should just purge him for fear of injuries.

If I am Gute, I am more concerned about whether JA is willing to play when he does have an injury that trainers feel is healed enough to go. Meaning, if JA decides he doesn't want to play because he doesn't feel that he is 100%, that would be a big red flag for me.

Exactly. One way to find out is through his pay. Offer him an opportunity to improve upon his compensation if he’s mentally and physically committed. Offer a mini restructure whereas if he’s not playing consistently (call it at least 10+ Games of snap count) his deal shaves a couple million towards team balance sheet.
If JA is playing consistently, it improves a couple million towards personal, financial goals. It’s not a slight on his personal conduct. If anything we could bonus him beyond his current deal for Postseason contribution. Such as 250K doubling each successive postseason contest he hits a snap threshold Wildcard 250K Divisional 500K Conference $1Mil— SB $2Mil. We don’t pay bonus $ unless we get results. That $3.75Mil postseason + 2Mil in added regular season $ incentive to commit to seeing him on that field.

Worse case is repeats last year and we paid him $15m. Best case is we win a SB and pay him $23.75Mil+. I feel like we can both win with a deal like that.

 

[gopkrs]

I tend to agree with you. When healthy, his skill set makes him the best CB option that the Packers currently have. Sucks he has been injured and has missed a lot of games, I am just not as convinced as some that the Packers should just purge him for fear of injuries.

If I am Gute, I am more concerned about whether JA is willing to play when he does have an injury that trainers feel is healed enough to go. Meaning, if JA decides he doesn't want to play because he doesn't feel that he is 100%, that would be a big red flag for me.

It seemed to me that he really wanted to play but just couldn't. If you can't make cuts because of the pain; you just can't do it. And I'm doubting that a doctor told him that if he had really bad pain just don't worry about it.