Final Thoughts on 2025 Draft

[Thirteen Below]

So.... the big weekend has come and gone, except of course for the UFDA feeding frenzy.

What do we all think about it? I think most of us would agree that it lacked the real-time excitement and the "wow" factor of the last few drafts; it's been years since I've been less excited about a draft in progress - especially compared to how excited I was leading up to it.

I'm not going to complain about any of the picks, because Gutekunst has his reasons and he knows more about the state of the team than I do. I will, however, say that I'm pretty puzzled by a lot of them, largely because the way the draft played out didn't seem to correspond to what he was saying (or at least hinting) the last month or two about what the team needed and what he would be trying to accomplish.

I find it interesting that at least 3 and possibly as many as 5 of the 8 picks (depending on which source you go by) were pre-draft visits, although Williams appears to have been a virtual visit rather than a physical visit.

I also find it interesting how many of his picks seem to break with some of his established patterns. Not sure what to make of that. This is also the only year other than 2020 that he did not make a single trade, and it was one year that I would have most expected him to do so.

So what does everyone else think?

 

[Team Ronny]

It was a cool atmosphere being at the draft Friday night!!! Lots of people, lots of walking, but, overall very friendly people from every fan base. It was fun to see little Green Bay step into the spotlight! Wow did they deliver!!

I think the wr situation needed to be addressed, let's face it those guys down right stunk at times last season,and, once Watson got hurt, nobody stepped up. They drafted 2 guys with decent speed, the bigger guy is kinda Watson like,but, more of a do everything kind of guy. Golden, seems to be a faster, more polished version of Doubs.

The online guys, there are a few guys coming into free agency after this season. The 2nd Rd guy is a big boy.. probably gonna play alot. The defensive guys, mostly depth/rotational guys. I'm sure Hadley has some input into those picks.

Overall, hard to say if any of these guys will pan out. Gotta trust Gutey and the scouts.

 

[tynimiller]

It was a cool atmosphere being at the draft Friday night!!! Lots of people, lots of walking, but, overall very friendly people from every fan base. It was fun to see little Green Bay step into the spotlight! Wow did they deliver!!

I think the wr situation needed to be addressed, let's face it those guys down right stunk at times last season,and, once Watson got hurt, nobody stepped up. They drafted 2 guys with decent speed, the bigger guy is kinda Watson like,but, more of a do everything kind of guy. Golden, seems to be a faster, more polished version of Doubs.

The online guys, there are a few guys coming into free agency after this season. The 2nd Rd guy is a big boy.. probably gonna play alot. The defensive guys, mostly depth/rotational guys. I'm sure Hadley has some input into those picks.

Overall, hard to say if any of these guys will pan out. Gotta trust Gutey and the scouts.

I don’t understand the Doubs comp to Golden, can you unpack that as I am baffled?

 

[gopkrs]

Belton sure looks like our next left tackle. One of those all pro type guys that can protect and pave the road. If true, he and Golden will have made this draft.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Belton sure looks like our next left tackle. One of those all pro type guys that can protect and pave the road. If true, he and Golden will have made this draft.

Call me greedy, spoiled, and entitled, but after these last few drafts, I was kind of hoping for a couple more good players. But I think we will get a couple more good ones out of the rest of the class.

 

[Dantés]

Matthew Golden: Love the value of the pick. I think Golden can be a #1 option in a good passing attack in time, though he could be a #2 option and still pay off the selection.

Anthony Belton: The Packers got a lot of close looks at Belton and clearly were impressed with him. I think he provides a contingency at left tackle if Morgan doesn't pan out, but is most likely the heir apparent at RG.

Savion Williams: I did not see this pick coming, but I understand the desire to get the offense a RAC weapon. I think Williams would flop in most offenses, but LaFleur is one of the guys in the league who has a good chance of using him effectively.

Barryn Sorrell: It's really hard to poke holes in Sorrell's profile-- he's a great athlete, he had solid production, he's reportedly a hard worker with a high character. It seems at a minimum, he will be a valuable rotator.

Collin Oliver: I was surprised to see them take two edge defenders in back to back rounds, but I was a little suspicious if the Packers were interested in a DPR. If Oliver is just a speed rusher in obvious passing situations and a ST contributor, he will pay off the pick.

Warren Brinson: I don't know anything about him, but I was glad to see them finally address the iDL.

Micah Johnson: I had wondered through the process if the Packers would leave cornerback until the late rounds and that ended up being the case.

John Williams: This is a very "Packersy" OL prospect in the new school sense (i.e. a little bigger and not quite as agile).

Overall Takeaways:

-To me, the Golden pick was mainly about one this-- being able to beat man coverage. With Watson on the shelf, they needed more speed on offense and he has a great combination of movement skills and ball skills.

-Day 2 emphasized to me how much this team is prioritizing running the football. Belton will be a road grader, most likely at guard. He plays with tons of natural power. Williams will likely operate as an extension of the running game, be that out of the backfield or with catch and run opportunities.

-I would have liked to see more of an emphasis on the interior of the defensive line. They clearly intend to put Clark back at the 1T, but the options behind him are basically non-existent. Hopefully we see them add more unless Brinson and/or Stackhouse really surprise.