The Green Bay Packers need to maximize every tool at their disposal this offseason if they want to break into the NFL’s true Super Bowl contender tier. That includes hitting on the 2025 NFL Draft—something general manager Brian Gutekunst has been doing at a high level lately.

After a rocky start to his draft tenure, Gutekunst has been on fire the last three years.

The 2022 class quietly became a franchise-altering haul, featuring Sean Rhyan (third round), Romeo Doubs (fourth), Zach Tom (fourth), Kingsley Enagbare (fifth), and Rasheed Walker (seventh)—all of whom have carved out legitimate roles in Green Bay’s lineup.

2023 was more of the same. Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, Colby Wooden, Dontayvion Wicks, and Carrington Valentine all emerged as impact players despite being Day 2 or Day 3 picks.

The 2024 class is already flashing, with multiple rookies looking like long-term pieces. Gutekunst needs to carry that momentum into 2025.

With the NFL Draft being hosted in Green Bay, the Packers could shake things up at No. 23 overall. This year’s first-round talent pool is weaker than usual, but Day 2 is loaded with quality players. If there were ever a year to trade out of the first round and recoup an extra second or third-round pick, this is it.

Regardless of whether they stick or trade back, the Packers need immediate contributors from this draft class. A strong haul could be the final push from a playoff team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Let’s dive into the perfect 2025 Packers draft strategy.

What are the Packers’ Biggest Draft Needs?

Let’s start at the top by breaking down where Green Bay must improve heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

Cornerback shoots straight to the top of the list. All signs point to Jaire Alexander and the Packers heading for a breakup—it’s just a matter of whether it’s via release or trade. That leaves a glaring hole in Green Bay’s secondary.

Beyond Alexander, Eric Stokes, Robert Rochell, and Corey Ballentine are all free agents with uncertain futures in Titletown. Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon are the only notable cornerbacks under contract, which isn’t enough depth for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.

The free agent market at cornerback is strong, but Green Bay still needs to develop a long-term solution through the draft.

Wide receiver is also high on the list. The Packers have a solid, young receiving corps, but is it good enough? That’s the question Gutekunst must answer.

The solution isn’t adding more bodies—it’s adding more quality. Green Bay could target a true WR1 through free agency, a trade, or an early draft pick—giving Jordan Love a go-to weapon in critical moments.

Green Bay also needs reinforcements in the trenches—on both sides of the ball.

The defensive line was flat-out underwhelming in 2024. It disappeared in big moments, failed to generate consistent pressure, and lacked the game-changing presence needed to win deep in the playoffs.

The offensive line could also be heading toward a transition phase. Josh Myers is an unrestricted free agent, and Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan are set to hit free agency in 2026. Green Bay won’t be able to keep everyone, so they need to start reloading now to maintain continuity in front of Jordan Love.

The Packers have playoff talent. This draft is about filling the holes that separate them from true Super Bowl contention.

Packers Should Examine Eagles and Chiefs Blueprint

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Packers should be studying the two teams that just played in the Super Bowl to figure out how to take the next step.

The Kansas City Chiefs reached their fifth Super Bowl in six seasons, and while Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce remain the faces of the franchise, it was the defense that carried them in 2024. This wasn’t a team winning shootouts—they were shutting teams down.

Kansas City ranked fourth in points allowed per game this season after finishing second in 2023. Their defensive front was relentless, ranking sixth or better in pressure percentage, quarterback knockdown percentage, and hurry percentage.

Steve Spagnuolo’s unit dictated games, taking pressure off Mahomes in a season where the offense lacked firepower.

The Eagles took a similar approach—leaning on a dominant, playmaking defense to take over games.

Philadelphia allowed the fewest yards per play in the regular season and had game-changers at all three levels. Their relentless pass rush wrecked the Packers in the Wild Card round and did the same to Kansas City in the Super Bowl.

If the Packers want to reach the next tier of contenders, they need to keep investing in their defense—but get it right.

They’ve used premium draft capital on defense, but the results haven’t matched the investment. Lukas Van Ness, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Eric Stokes have all fallen short of expectations.

Gutekunst has found gems in later rounds, but his first-round picks have missed too often. That needs to change. Green Bay needs an instant-impact playmaker—someone who can step in from Day 1 and elevate this defense to championship level.

How the Packers Should Approach the 2025 NFL Draft

Despite owning a pick in each of the seven rounds—plus a projected seventh-round compensatory pick—the Packers don’t have as much draft capital as in previous years.

The extra early-round picks from the Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers trades are gone, meaning Green Bay will have to be more strategic in how they build their 2025 class.

This could push Brian Gutekunst to trade down from No. 23 overall to acquire more picks—a move that would make sense if they don’t have a true first-round grade on anyone still available. The strength of this draft class lies in Rounds 2 and 3, and adding extra Day 2 picks could be a smarter approach than reaching for a lesser talent in the first round.

Regardless of what they do on Day 1, the Packers need immediate contributors at key positions. These rookies don’t need to be instant stars, but they should be capable role players in their first season.

Finding an offensive playmaker in the first two days of the draft would send a clear message: they’re handling Jordan Love’s development differently than Aaron Rodgers’. Love proved in 2024 that he’s not quite ready to carry the offense by himself, and Green Bay needs to surround him with better weapons to help lighten the load.

The pass rush also needs a boost—badly. The Packers’ pass rush looks like it should be good on paper, but they’ve been underwhelming on grass.

The Packers can’t afford to keep waiting for potential to turn into production—they need to keep adding to the front four until they find someone who can actually make an impact.

Day 3 will be prime territory for filling depth needs like cornerback, offensive line, and linebacker—the exact range where Gutekunst has done his best work in recent drafts.

At the end of the day, Green Bay has more holes than they have draft picks. But Gutekunst needs to chip away at the roster’s weaknesses and give the coaching staff more tools to turn this team into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.