Anthony Belton (Photo: Getty)
By Mark Eckel
Any NFL head coach who has ever appeared at an offseason press conference has mentioned this at least once: "We're looking forward to (fill in the name) to take a second-year jump.''
Most players who make it in the league do take a huge jump between their rookie and second seasons. And the Green Bay Packers draft kind of with that in mind.
So what players from the Class of 2025 are ready to make a jump in 2026? Here's a look.
****Matthew Golden, WR, 1st-round pick — Golden showed what he was capable of in his first postseason game against the Bears. He was one of the Packers best players in that game and his touchdown that gave the team an 11-point fourth quarter lead might have been the team's best play of the season. Look for the former Longhorn to have a big year in 2026.
****Anthony Belton, OL, 2nd-round pick — As they did with several linemen last season Belton moved around the line. If he settles in as the starting right guard it could help him develop in what the team hoped he would be when they took him with the 54th pick in the draft.
Savion Williams, WR, 3rd-round pick — Injuries short-circuited Williams rookie season, although it appeared he wasn't going to be much more than a kick returner and a gadget guy. Next season? It might be more of the same. Let's hope he at least gets a look at punt returner, too.
****Barryn Sorrell, DL, 4th-round pick — Sorrell played just 178 snaps on defense all season and had just two games with more than 13 snaps. The first was a 30-snap game against Arizona where he didn't register a stat. The second was the regular-season finale against Minnesota. In that 52-snap contest he had eight tackles, one for a loss, a sack and a fumble recovery. Look for that "second-year jump'' from this guy.
****Collin Oliver, Edge, 5th-round pick — Maybe new coordinator Jonathan Gannon will figure out what to do with the undersized (6-2, 240) pass rusher. Injured most of his rookie season, all 31 of his snaps came in the last regular-season game against the Vikings. In that limited time he did manage a tackle for a loss and two quarterback hits. Gannon might like him in a designated role in his defense.
****Warren Brinson, DL, 6th-round pick — Brinson played 273 defensive snaps over the course of 11 games. When the team drafted him it said they liked his versatility to play across the line. That's likely still the case and it will be interesting to see where Gannon uses him the most and where he's the best fit.
John Williams, OL, 7th-round pick — Williams spent his rookie season on PUP and IR. A starter at left tackle his entire college career at Cincinnati the Packers think the 6-4, 322-pound Williams might be a better fit at guard. If he makes the team and is a backup on game day that would be a decent "jump''.
****Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Free agent — Big men such as Stackhouse (6-4, 327) generally take time to develop. He played 159 defensive snaps over 13 games last season, but did not make much of an impact. He's a player who really needs to make that second-year jump.
Jamar Johnson, LB, Free agent — Johnson was elevated from the practice squad three times in 2025, but only played defense in one of those. If you guessed the Vikings game, you've been paying attention. In 67 snaps that game, he had 10 tackles and knocked down a pass. He has a decent chance of being on the 53 in 2026.