2024 strangely felt like a disappointing season for the Green Bay Packers, despite improving their win total from 2023 and seeing massive improvements on defense.
The way the season ended with a troubling loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round of the playoffs should send some alarm bells ringing in the organization. They have to make some stark personnel changes on both sides of the ball if they want to win the NFC North again and go further in the playoffs.
How can they do that in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Green Bay Packers 7 round 2025 NFL mock draft
Round 1, Pick 23: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
With the way the Packers defense ideally wants to operate under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (lots of single-high coverage, man coverage, four-down rushers), the defensive ends have to win quickly and apply pressure on the quarterback to protect the secondary. The Packers couldn’t do that this year because their pass rush was unstartable for most of the year.
Don’t let Mike Green’s small-school status take away from the fact that he’s an explosive pass rusher who fits what Green Bay wants to a T.
Round 2, Pick 54: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
The Packers’ glaring need for a better outside threat at wide receiver could not have been more evident in their playoff game against the Eagles. The offense completely fell apart without Christian Watson, who suffered a late season injury and might not be able to play until late next season. Given his injury history, Green Bay should be aiming to find his long-term replacement in the offseason.
Jayden Higgins is built similarly to Watson as a terrific height/weight/speed prospect for the Cyclones. With his deep threat chops and fantastic catch radius, Higgins can be the outside threat the Packers’ offense needs to open things up vertically and threaten defenses.
Round 3, Pick 87: Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
The Packers’ secondary took a step forward this season at a few positions, but their cornerback room needs an overhaul. One position I’d like to see them upgrade is in the nickel, as Keisean Dixon struggled throughout the year.
Jaylin Smith’s wiry frame might push him into the slot from a full-time outside spot this season for the Trojans, but he is a physical, press-man style of cornerback. He can step right in and add athleticism, ball skills, and good run defense to the Packers at the nickel spot.
Round 4, Pick 122: BJ Adams, CB, UCF
The Green Bay Packers have gotten mostly good play out of Carrington Valentine but with Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and potentially Jaire Alexander all leaving in the offseason, the team needs to restock their outside cornerback room.
Like Jaylin Smith, Adams is a long, physical press coverage cornerback, but this time standing at 6’2. For a taller cornerback, I was surprised at just how fluid he was in man coverage. He will be at the Senior Bowl later this month.
Round 5, Pick 158: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
The Packers need to continue adding to their linebacker room, especially with the potential departures of Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson. Get younger and add more talented depth and special teams ability into that room.
Cody Lindenberg is a tackling machine with good movement skills for his 6’4, 240-pound frame.
Round 6, Pick 196: Drew Kendall, OC, Boston College
It doesn’t seem likely that Josh Myers will return at center for the Packers next season. While last year’s fifth-round pick Jacob Monk might take the job, it’s far from settled. They should add more competition at that spot.
It’s a thin center class, but Boston College’s Drew Kendall is an experienced, smart processor with good movement skills.
Round 7, Pick 237: Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State
Kicker has felt like an evergreen need for the Packers in recent years, and this season was no different.
Ryan Fitzgerald was one of the best kickers in college football this season, hitting 100% of his extra points and 13-14 on field goals this season, with his one miss from 40-49 yards coming from a bad snap and hold. He hasn’t missed a kick from 50+ yards since 2022, including a perfect 5-5 this season.
