Let me start by saying that I’m well aware that making the Pro Bowl doesn’t have the same allure it did even 10 years ago. Ever since the physical game was replaced with the “Pro Bowl Games” a few years back, it seems like everyone kind of stopped caring about who made it. However, it is still an important accomplishment for players—especially when they make their first one—as they can officially call themselves Pro Bowlers. A lot of players also have clauses in their contracts that pay them extra if this milestone is achieved and they get added to the Pro Bowl roster. As we are about to commence on the 2025 NFL season, the Packers have only 5 players on their roster that have ever been named to a pro bowl. Josh Jacobs, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Xavier McKinney and Elgton Jenkins. That got me thinking about some other Packers on the current roster who are looking to join this exclusive club in 2025. Four clear options jump out to me:
Tucker Kraft-
Tucker Kraft is a budding superstar. The third-year pro officially broke out during his sophomore season in 2024. After proving himself as an all-around tight end last season, Kraft is in line for an increased workload in 2025, which should help his case for making the Pro Bowl. Head Coach Matt LaFleur has already acknowledged they need to work on getting Kraft even more involved this season.
“I think that’s on us to find him and feature him. When he gets the ball in his hands, you feel him. If there’s an area we have to do a better job on, it’s featuring the tight end.”
In 2024, Kraft had the best season for a Packers tight end since prime Jermichael Finley back in 2011. Finishing with 50 receptions for 707 yards and 7 touchdowns, he was one of Jordan Love’s go-to options when a play was needed. His 14.1 yards per reception were the second-best for a tight end last year, just behind George Kittle. Even though Kraft tore his bicep last offseason, he was ready to go by Week 1 and played over 85% of the offensive snaps.
Even with Luke Musgrave hoping to stay healthy all season, this offense needs more Tucker Kraft in it. Between his durability, reliability, and the head coach acknowledging he needs to be more involved, this is the year Kraft breaks onto the national scene and makes his first Pro Bowl.
Jayden Reed-
Staying on the offensive side of the ball, we have another player entering Year 3: Jayden Reed. I think that while most Packers fans are bullish on Reed, but he has yet to enter the national conversation. He’s been plagued by drops and some injuries during his first two seasons in the NFL, but there’s no doubt that when he’s on his game, he’s a dynamic slot weapon with the versatility and playmaking ability to become a go-to player in this Packers offense.
Even with his drop concerns, Reed has led the Packers in receiving in both of his seasons in town. Last year, he caught 55 passes for 857 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s seemingly taken his drop issues seriously, posting videos to social media of him working on the JUGS machine ahead of training camp next week. He also recently attended Chad Johnson’s wideout workshop alongside other top receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, and Tee Higgins.
Reed has already taken a step as a leader and mentor to the 2 young receivers the Packers drafted this April in Golden and Williams and if he can stay on the field and fix the drops in 2025, he will surely ready to take a step and be a Pro Bowlers.
Zach Tom-
Our third straight offensive player—and perhaps the most deserving of a Pro Bowl selection thus far in their career—is Zach Tom. As he prepares for his fourth professional season, Tom has not yet been named a Pro Bowler but has started to garner recognition as one of the best at his position, even receiving some All-Pro votes in 2024.
Despite not being named to the Pro Bowl after a stellar 2024 season at right tackle, he managed to receive three All-Pro votes. Perhaps Tom is headed down the David Bakhtiari path: rarely a Pro Bowler but regularly an All-Pro. Bakhtiari was only voted to the Pro Bowl three times in his career but has five All-Pro selections to his name.
There is little doubt that Tom already plays at a Pro Bowl level. His overall PFF grade in 2024 was 87.5, good for fourth among all 140 qualifying tackles. His run-blocking grade of 90 ranked third, and his 82.1 pass-blocking grade ranked 12th. He’s establishing himself as the best offensive lineman on the Packers roster and one of the top right tackles in the league.
Tom is sure to sign a massive contract extension in the near future, likely including a Pro Bowl appearance incentive—so you can bet he’d love to earn his first selection in 2025.
Edgerrin Cooper-
Just like Tucker Kraft is a budding superstar on offense, Edgerrin Cooper is that player on defense. He finished sixth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting despite playing in only 14 games. In those 14 games, he played just 45% of the team’s defensive snaps, yet still logged 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, one interception, and 77 tackles. He was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice—Week 8 against Jacksonville and Week 15 against Seattle.
It’s rare for a rookie to look like the best player on the field, but in those two games, he certainly did. His speed and instincts in the middle of the defense were undeniable.
To prepare for his second NFL season, he added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame. That added weight should help him withstand the rigors of a 17-game NFL season and build on his rookie success. The Texas A&M alum is the total package at linebacker and figures to be a centerpiece of the Packers defense for years to come.
After receiving a single All-Pro vote last year (and no Pro Bowl votes), he should get many more in 2025 as he continues his ascension as a dynamic playmaker.