Packers Roster Assessment, 2025 Off-Season

[Dantés]

One cheaper way to improve the roster is to improve from within. I think MLF needs to take a hint from Kevin O'Connell and start passing the ball more frequently to his better playmakers such as Kraft, Reed and Jacobs. All season long good things happened when they caught passes. Unfortunately, there were games when those guys saw far too few passes thrown their way. In fact, elevating Kraft and Reed next season to take a jump into pro bowl level play should be one of the biggest priorities of the offense.

All three of those players, at least for right now, are more manufactured touch guys in the passing game than they are guys who are going to consistently beat single coverage. It's hard to get them a lot of work because the various formations, looks, route combos that you use to get them open quickly become tells and defenses can snuff them out.

 

[McKnowledge]

Corners Currently Slated to Hit FA:

-D.J. Reed, NYJ
-Byron Murphy, MIN
-Paulson Adebo, NO
-Kristian Fulton, LAC
-Charvarius Ward, SF
-Asante Samuel Jr, LAC
-Nate Hobbs, LV
-Rasul Douglas, BUF
-Ja'Quan McMillian, DEN
-Carlton Davis, DET

They definitely need to sign capable corners to address the need, but I would sign a couple tier 2/3 guys rather than get in the D.J. Reed sweepstakes.

Like sign Paulson Adebo and, say, Nate Hobbs and then draft a corner in the first 2 rounds and another in the middle rounds and another in the late rounds. All told, you're adding two veterans and three rookies to a room with Valentine and Nixon.

I think Paulson Adebo would be a great signing like McKinney was last year. That kid made plays and plays hard.

There are some great CBs free agents hitting the market. I know he's getting older, but (personally) it would be great to see Rasul Douglas return.

Carlton Davis would be interesting.

 

[tynimiller]

The Packers are in great shape. Most of the positions of need are areas where they need depth and/or need to prepare for future losses moreso than need immediate help. Every team is going to have that every offseason. Cornerback is the only spot where they absolutely need new guys immediately. Here's the starting lineup, CB aside, going into next season with zero re-signings and no new additions.

QB: J. Love
RB: J. Jacobs
TE: T. Kraft
WR: R. Doubs
WR: J. Reed
WR: D. Wicks
LT: R. Walker
LG: J. Morgan
C: E. Jenkins
RG: S. Rhyan
RT: Z. Tom

DE: R. Gary
DT: K. Clark
DT: D. Wyatt
DE: K. Enagbare
LB: Q. Walker
LB: E. Cooper
S: X. McKinley
S: E. Williams

They can/should absolutely improve upon this, but if that's what you're starting with before you've re-signed anyone, spent a dollar of cap space, or used a single draft pick, you're doing well.

I wish more understood this, but many don’t even take time to know current contracts and who is up and who isn’t. (Ftr speaking in general and not just this forum, honestly less towards this forum but many other places)

 

[tynimiller]

All three of those players, at least for right now, are more manufactured touch guys in the passing game than they are guys who are going to consistently beat single coverage. It's hard to get them a lot of work because the various formations, looks, route combos that you use to get them open quickly become tells and defenses can snuff them out.

Yup, of the guys going into next season that you can ask to win one on ones is Wicks and Doubs. And neither are elite yet for sure

 

[Sanguine camper]

Despite his alarming drop rate, Wicks still gets consistently open by a large margin. That's why he saw the ball even though his drops would've warranted more time on the bench. If he continues to drop a lot of passes next season then maybe you can move on from him but he is still a very intriguing player. It's not an overstatement to say Wicks could develop into a Devonte Adams if he ever cleaned up his drops because his ability to cut on a dime and get open is elite to say the least.

 

[tynimiller]

Despite his alarming drop rate, Wicks still gets consistently open by a large margin. That's why he saw the ball even though his drops would've warranted more time on the bench. If he continues to drop a lot of passes next season then maybe you can move on from him but he is still a very intriguing player. It's not an overstatement to say Wicks could develop into a Devonte Adams if he ever cleaned up his drops because his ability to cut on a dime and get open is elite to say the least.

Wicks drops his drop rate down to three or four percent he can easily be a teams #1 with how much separation he gets continually regardless of whose on him, or how they’re aligned.

 

[Sanguine camper]

A drop rate of 3 to 4 percent is acceptable. It isn't elite but if Wicks can get it that low, his other skills will make him scary to other teams. I think drops are even worse than they appear because they frequently stop drives. Clean up drops and the offense stays on the field longer leading to more chances and points. Wicks and the team as a whole had an unacceptable drop rate this year. It's not as if the drops came mostly on diving attempts or a guy trying to wrestle the ball away from double coverage. Most of the drops were very catchable passes.

 

[tynimiller]

A drop rate of 3 to 4 percent is acceptable. It isn't elite but if Wicks can get it that low, his other skills will make him scary to other teams. I think drops are even worse than they appear because they frequently stop drives. Clean up drops and the offense stays on the field longer leading to more chances and points. Wicks and the team as a whole had an unacceptable drop rate this year. It's not as if the drops came mostly on diving attempts or a guy trying to wrestle the ball away from double coverage. Most of the drops were very catchable passes.

Reed had a worse season for drops to me than even Wicks but FAR too many fans are enamored with him to admit it. His drops were often inside his frame even at times, where Wicks I can think of a few that were VERY catchable but were extension catches.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Reed had a worse season for drops to me than even Wicks but FAR too many fans are enamored with him to admit it. His drops were often inside his frame even at times, where Wicks I can think of a few that were VERY catchable but were extension catches.

Reed had too many drops for sure but even with his drops, his percentage catch rate and ypc are very good. The ypc is towards to top end for WR'ers. He also has a high rate of big plays over 15 yards. I think Reed is the best candidate for a WR1 on the team since Watson is out for next season. Reed has high production with relatively few targets while Wicks didn't even though both players dropped too many passes. I'm not counting Wicks out, I just think MLF and Love by extention need to get the ball more often to the playmakers. On this team, more often its Reed, Jacobs and Kraft. Those three guys have also shown better durability so I'd rather structure the offense around them.

 

[Magooch]

Reed had a worse season for drops to me than even Wicks but FAR too many fans are enamored with him to admit it. His drops were often inside his frame even at times, where Wicks I can think of a few that were VERY catchable but were extension catches.

I would agree with that for sure. Doubly frustrating is that IMO Reed's 2024/25 started off SO promising and then just kinda fizzled out in a lot of ways. He and Wicks actually finished with the same number of drops, and almost an identical number of targets (9 drops on 75 targets for Reed/76 for Wicks) while Wicks had almost 2 yards deeper ADOT.

What's a real bummer and seems to have largely gone under-the-radar (IMO) is that from what I can tell Watson was only credited with *two* drops this past season on 53 targets, and a crazy 21.4 yards per rec. He was really starting to get on a good track.

 

[tynimiller]

Reed had too many drops for sure but even with his drops, his percentage catch rate and ypc are very good. The ypc is towards to top end for WR'ers. He also has a high rate of big plays over 15 yards. I think Reed is the best candidate for a WR1 on the team since Watson is out for next season. Reed has high production with relatively few targets while Wicks didn't even though both players dropped too many passes. I'm not counting Wicks out, I just think MLF and Love by extention need to get the ball more often to the playmakers. On this team, more often its Reed, Jacobs and Kraft. Those three guys have also shown better durability so I'd rather structure the offense around them.

Reed has proven defenses have figured out how to erase him from a game. He's a much easier guard than others, but he is for sure very very good when you can manufacture some touches to him.

 

[tynimiller]

What's a real bummer and seems to have largely gone under-the-radar (IMO) is that from what I can tell Watson was only credited with *two* drops this past season on 53 targets, and a crazy 21.4 yards per rec. He was really starting to get on a good track.

Folks overlook that Watson had come back from his leg issues, balanced his hamstrings and was playing awesome.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Reed has proven defenses have figured out how to erase him from a game. He's a much easier guard than others, but he is for sure very very good when you can manufacture some touches to him.

Reed was 9th in the league in ypc, 3rd in the league in yac per reception and near the top of the league in 20+ catches (19) in only 75 targets. Only Alec Pierce and Jamison Williams were similar in explosive plays per target.
Reed is putting up elite numbers per target and that includes his bone headed drops. I find it hard to figure out how one of the most explosive players in the NFL can't get open to the point he gets "erased" in a game. With Reed it's not just long passes, he makes guys miss and turns short passes into big plays. Not getting to ball to him enough was a big mistake. He can't separate like Wicks or is as fast as Watson but over 2 seasons he's shown that he's a big play waiting to happen.

 

[McKnowledge]

My list of top 5 offseason ideas for the 2025 Green Bay Packers

1) Time to get a veteran WR 1, Garrett Wilson would be brilliant
2) Fortify the O-Line, go young, not dumb, do not overpay for injury prone vets
3) Revamp the D-Line, Kenny Clark is a dog, but either get some improved help alongside
him or trade him for draft capital.
4) Prioritize a few pass rushers. Free agency and draft should produce at least 3 playmakers on the edge. Not real high on LVN. Gary has been hyped up a little, hedge any bets on his potential.
5) Stockpile the secondary. The quality of WRs has exploded over the last 10 years and most teams have deep talented WR depth.
Already with a great secondary, I think Gute should target a young ascending CB like Paulson Adebo.

 

[tynimiller]

Reed was 9th in the league in ypc, 3rd in the league in yac per reception and near the top of the league in 20+ catches (19) in only 75 targets. Only Alec Pierce and Jamison Williams were similar in explosive plays per target.
Reed is putting up elite numbers per target and that includes his bone headed drops. I find it hard to figure out how one of the most explosive players in the NFL can't get open to the point he gets "erased" in a game. With Reed it's not just long passes, he makes guys miss and turns short passes into big plays. Not getting to ball to him enough was a big mistake. He can't separate like Wicks or is as fast as Watson but over 2 seasons he's shown that he's a big play waiting to happen.

When I say that, you have to look at the tales of the two halves of the season and then also compare the DCs we saw second half.

Reed is not a guy that builds out separation one on one like wicks, which is fine he’s a much more dynamic guy with the ball in his hands than Wicks is.

Teams illustrated what they can do to shut him out and it worked constantly of late in second half. Now I personally think the X factor is Loves health and that Reed is much more of value to this offense when Watson and Doubs are both taking the attention they need…but again that plays to how nasty good Reed is within the manufactured touches you gotta get the man.

None of this is saying Reed isn’t good, I actually feel he is quite good, but it just is the type of WR or weapon he is within our offense.

 

[gopkrs]

Maybe the route tree is part of the problem. Needs a few more branches.

 

[tynimiller]

Maybe the route tree is part of the problem. Needs a few more branches.

I think he's progressing nicely and if there's ever been a guy I truly think we might see explode in their third years it is him and Wicks....one part just the fact they both have such uniquely good traits already hitting on all cylinders and second part is opportunity if we don't go add a new bonafide top of depth chart guy to replace Watson's absence.

 

[gopkrs]

I think he's progressing nicely and if there's ever been a guy I truly think we might see explode in their third years it is him and Wicks....one part just the fact they both have such uniquely good traits already hitting on all cylinders and second part is opportunity if we don't go add a new bonafide top of depth chart guy to replace Watson's absence.

We do need someone else. Especially in case of injuries. I like Heath and hope we keep him. But Melton didn't show much and he had opportunities. I agree Wicks has a lot of potential. But that's all it is right now.

 

[tynimiller]

We do need someone else. Especially in case of injuries. I like Heath and hope we keep him. But Melton didn't show much and he had opportunities. I agree Wicks has a lot of potential. But that's all it is right now.

We have Doubs, Wicks, Reed, Melton, Heath even without a mid-tier FA signing or a mid to late round draftee...that room is more than capable and has proven this in 2023 when sadly Watson missed a series of games and time in games due to injury woes.

Where WR elevates for me is if the team is uneasy about Doubs and his head due to concussions.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Melton showed more potential in 2023 than in 2024. Both he and Heath are fine players at the bottom of the WR depth chart but I doubt they can step into a much more prominent role. Without Watson the field will be more constricted leading to tighter windows. I think Gute needs to draft another fast WR. I think it's safe to assume that due to mounting injuries, Watson and Doubs may not be resigned leading to an urgent need to get another WR, preferably somebody that can stretch the field like Watson.

 

[tynimiller]

Melton showed more potential in 2023 than in 2024. Both he and Heath are fine players at the bottom of the WR depth chart but I doubt they can step into a much more prominent role. Without Watson the field will be more constricted leading to tighter windows. I think Gute needs to draft another fast WR. I think it's safe to assume that due to mounting injuries, Watson and Doubs may not be resigned leading to an urgent need to get another WR, preferably somebody that can stretch the field like Watson.

I don't desire just a fast WR. If we decide we want to go WR, we need a consistent producer, a sure handed guy that has been used to high volume even though I'd not expect him to be that target rich here especially right away.

Even a Nick Nash type guy from San Jose State a converted QB that in just the two years post conversion has put up over 2100 yards, 24 TDs and over 250 Targets. He's likely a 4th rounder or 5th rounder depending...or a Kobe Hudson a steady producer for UCF over the years....or a guy I really like for mid rounds as well is Tai Felton from Maryland, he actually out of the three mentioned has some top end speed as a quality but in 2024 became more than just a deep hitter and his catch percentage grew nearly to 70%, he produced nearly 100 recepts on 143 targets, broke 1,000 yards and chipped in 9 TDs.

Adding any of those guys 4th round or on makes a lot of sense, but the desperate need isn't there for Gute to go grab a guy soon or for us to expect a draft pick to come in and light up year one....this is the depth/future type pick....

Now if Doubs situation the team and him are very concerned about 2025, then perhaps you start looking at guys like Noel from ISU in the third, or a Tre Harris or Jalen Royals if they make it to the third...even a second on a say Bech or Higgins should they make it there could make sense.

 

[gopkrs]

We have Doubs, Wicks, Reed, Melton, Heath even without a mid-tier FA signing or a mid to late round draftee...that room is more than capable and has proven this in 2023 when sadly Watson missed a series of games and time in games due to injury woes.

Where WR elevates for me is if the team is uneasy about Doubs and his head due to concussions.

Without Watson I'd say we need someone else. And yes the concussions Doubs had are worrisome. I do think that all of them should play though. Heath didn't see the field enough. We need another reliable option imo.

 

[Fooksmania]

Good assessment of the roster. I too think the team is good, however it lacks a dependable playmaker. I believe getting a high end WR would greatly improve the entire WR position. I am cautiously optimistic about Lloyd stepping up and becoming a significant 1-2 punch with Jacobs. I get rather excited at the thought. But yes, the CB is by far the most impotent position on the roster. Gute can't miss on this like with King, Stokes, and the many other names who fizzled.

 

[Voyageur]

Quarterback:

-Jordan Love: Starter under contract through 2028
-Malik Willis: Capable backup entering a contract year
-Sean Clifford: PS/camp arm
-Need Level: 2/10-- At most, GB could look to bring in another rookie QB to compete with Clifford for the emergency job. The only caveat here is if they get interest in Willis and decide to trade him (he's only 25 and showed real progress this season).

Running Back:

-Josh Jacobs: Capable starter under contract through 2027
-Marshawn Lloyd: Unknown quantity on rookie contract
-Emanuel Wilson: ERFA due to hit RFA next off-season
-Chris Brooks: Due to hit RFA next off-season
-Need Level: 2/10-- The Packers could add a back to compete with the guys lower on the roster but if they did nothing at the position, they would be just fine.

Tight End:

-Tucker Kraft: Capable starter under contract through 2026
-Luke Musgrave: Under contract through 2026
-Ben Sims: Due to be a RFA next off-season
-John Fitzpatrick: Currently a RFA
-Need Level: 3/10-- This is another position where the Packers are stable at the top and could just look to add competition or a different skill set (e.g. HB) among the depth players.

Wide Receiver:

-Christian Watson: Solid starter entering a contract year but with a torn ACL.
-Romeo Doubs: Solid starter entering a contract year.
-Jayden Reed: Good role-player under contract through 2026.
-Dontayvion Wicks: Developing role-player under contract through 2026.
-Malik Heath: Viable depth piece due to be a RFA in 2026.
-Bo Melton: Currently an ERFA.
-Julian Hicks: UDFA rookie with developmental traits.
-Cornelius Johnson: UDFA rookie with developmental traits.
-Need Level: 8/10-- The Packers still have plenty of roster-worthy players at this position, but the lack of difference-making talent severely hampered the offense in 2024. Teams were able to stifle the passing game by playing man coverage because the receivers aren't capable at defeating it. They need to add to the top of the depth chart while the younger guys hopefully continue to ascend.

Offensive Line:

-Rasheed Walker, OT: Reasonable starting tackle entering a contract season.
-Zach Tom, OT: High quality starting tackle with position flex entering a contract season.
-Elgton Jenkins, G/C: Solid starting offensive lineman with position flex under contract through 2026.
-Sean Rhyan, G: Emerging, inconsistent interior offensive lineman entering a contract season.
-Jordan Morgan, G/OT: Rookie contract OL with position flex.
-Kadeem Telfort, G/OT: Rosterable ERFA at guard.
-Travis Glover, G/OT: Rookie contract OL with some position flex.
-Jacob Monk, C/G: Rookie contract OL who is likely center only.
-Donovan Jennings, G/OT: UDFA coming off rookie season with intriguing traits.
-Need Level: 6/10-- You can squint and see a solid starting five here if Jenkins or Tom move to center and Morgan slots in, but the depth would be lacking and they have three starters in their last season (plus one more in his second to last). Unless Monk is the heir apparent at center, they might be wise to invest in a higher level FA/prospect and allow Morgan to compete with Walker. I would prioritize Tom and then Rhyan as guys to secure long term.

Defensive Tackle:

-Kenny Clark: Solid veteran who is technically under contract, but who could be released after this season.
-Devonte Wyatt: Emerging role-player entering contract season but with club option for 2026.
-Karl Brooks: Solid role-player signed through 2026.
-Colby Wooden: Developmental backup signed through 2026.
-James Ester: Fringe rosterable UDFA coming off rookie season.
-Need Level: 8/10-- You can see a starting duo in Clark and Wyatt, and there are rotating options at 3T, but there is currently no one to spell Clark and unless Wyatt takes a big step, they have no difference making talent here.

Defensive End:

-Rashan Gary: Solid veteran starter who plays hot/cold; likely on the roster at least through 2026.
-Kingsley Enagbare: Solider rotational option entering a contract season.
-Lukas Van Ness: Developmental rotator entering season 3 of a rookie contract.
-Brenton Cox: Emerging rotational talent who will be a RFA next off-season.
-Arron Mosby: Fringe roster-worthy ERFA.
-Need Level: 5/10-- The Packers have four guys who are worthy of seeing the field, three of whom could still ascend. However, there is no difference-making player at this position. I have it at 5 because they could basically ignore it and be viable, but if the right guy is there (Khalil Mack?), I wouldn't rule out a big splash.

Linebacker:

-Quay Walker: Emerging starter who is entering a contract season, but with a club option in 2026.
-Edgerrin Cooper: Rookie who was ascending to high-end status down the stretch.
-Ty'Ron Hopper: Virtual unknown entering year 2 of a rookie deal.
-Need Level: 6/10-- This one is really clear in that you have your starting options for next season and almost nothing else. I would expect multiple additions, though none of them being particularly high end.

Cornerback:

-Jaire Alexander: Highly unreliable starter; under contract through 2026, but a candidate to be released.
-Keisean Nixon: Decent role-playing talent forced onto the field far too much; under contract through 2026.
-Carrington Valentine: Emerging outside corner talent under contract through 2026.
-Kalen King: Fringe rosterable talent entering second season.
-Need Level: 10/10-- This position is a five alarm fire. Alexander can't be trusted to be on the field, so whether he's kept or released, you have to act like he isn't there. Nixon plays a ton, but he shouldn't; he and Stokes severely limited what kind of coverages Hafley could call. Valentine is the only player at the position that intrigues, which is terrifying because you need 3 starters! I expect multiple FA additions AND multiple draft pick additions. Gutekunst has become known for taking lots of shots at positions of need and I bet he sets a whole new standard this offseason at corner.

Safety:

-Xavier McKinley: High end starter under contract through 2027.
-Evan Williams: Emerging 2nd year player on rookie contract.
-Javon Bullard: Developing 2nd year player on rookie contract.
-Zayne Anderson: ERFA with value as ST/depth.
-Kitan Oladapo: Rookie/unknown quantity with developmental ability.
-Need Level: 1/10-- The Packers have a great starter, a good starter, a developing 3rd guy with pedigree, and depth. There's no need here.

Ranking Needs:

Tier One:

1. Cornerback

Tier Two:

2. Wide Receiver
3. Defensive Tackle

Tier Three:

4. Offensive Line
5. Linebacker

Tier Four:

6. Defensive End

Tier Five:

7. Tight End
8. Running Back
9. Quarterback
10. Safety

Excellent run down on personnel. When you see a breakdown like this you also see the huge number of contracts that will expire prior to 2026. It shows instant needs and at the same time identifies the need to develop the "next man up" depth on the roster so the Packers can absorb the losses in personnel after 2025 without overpaying for players and putting us in a bad position with the cap.

I'd find it difficult arguing with anything you pointed out. It's out there in black and white.

 

[Magooch]

Good assessment of the roster. I too think the team is good, however it lacks a dependable playmaker. I believe getting a high end WR would greatly improve the entire WR position. I am cautiously optimistic about Lloyd stepping up and becoming a significant 1-2 punch with Jacobs. I get rather excited at the thought. But yes, the CB is by far the most impotent position on the roster. Gute can't miss on this like with King, Stokes, and the many other names who fizzled.

I tend to agree with this, IMO it's a "rising tide raises all ships" type of thing.

We finished 12th this year in passing yards. Consider the 11 teams ahead of us:
- 9 out of 11 have a "#1" who is a 1,000+ yard WR (Bills, Ravens)
- 10 out of 11 have a #1 who averaged 60+ rec yards per game (Bills)
- 10 out of 11 have a #1 who converted 40+ first downs (Bills)
- 10 our of 11 have a #1 who averaged 5+ rec per game (Ravens)
And of course you'll note that the only exceptions here happen to have arguably the two MVP front-runners at QB.

Now admittedly these are somewhat arbitrary thresholds, but I guess my point is that when you look at every top passing attack in the league they have some similar qualities/measurables that start to jump out for "#1" WRs. And I like our group overall and do think they all project fairly well as solid NFL WR options...with the exception of Watson (who I have to seriously worry simply does not have an "NFL-ready" body), I am not entirely convinced that any of them would project out to be a "#1" WR when it's all said and done. There are certainly some discussions where the more "advanced" measurables are more valuable (for instance, Reed, Watson, and Kraft all have exceptional yards/target measures), but in this particular one I also think there is a lot of value in having a player who can be a high volume guy who can suck up targets and be a go-to guy in critical situations. With the exception of Josh Allen and maybe Lamar Jackson, every great passing offense has their one (and maybe two!) guy who can be seen as their safety valve, security blanket, whatever you want to call it.

All that to say that we have a great collection of 2/3/4's at WR but I don't think we really have a legit #1 option right now and I'm just not super convinced any of them are going to make that step. I mean look no further than this past season, when heading into it we heard "We don't have a #1 WR, we have four #1 WRs" which obviously proved to be...less-than-accurate. We have some perfectly serviceable players there, just don't have a ton of "game-breaking talent" at that position.