The Green Bay Packers 2025 draft class did not contribute much to the team in their rookie seasons. Injuries were certainly a factor as many members of the draft class missed valuable practice time and several games as a result of being hurt. Since the Packers don’t have a first-round pick in 2026 (or 2027), they will be counting on members of the 2025 draft class to make a bigger impact next season to help the team reach their lofty goal of contending for a Super Bowl. Here are three 2025 rookies who should make a bigger impact for the Packers in 2026:
Number Three: Barryn Sorrell
The Packers selected Sorrell in the fourth round with the 124th overall pick. The Texas alum played 14 games as a rookie and started one.
As a rookie, Sorrell was part of the Packers defensive end rotation and saw action in 20 percent of the defensive plays in the games he appeared in.
Sorrell recorded 1.5 sacks and made 15 tackles including one tackle for loss. He also recovered one fumble.
Sorrell showed some promise as a pass rusher by recording four pressures in the limited action he saw as a rookie. He also graded out solidly against the run according to Pro Football Focus.
Sorrell should get a chance for a larger spot in the rotation next year. We don’t know if Rashan Gary will return and Micah Parsons may not be fully back to health when the season starts as he rehabs from his torn ACL. Look for Sorrell to get a chance to show more of what he can do in year two.
Number Two: Anthony Belton
Second-round pick Anthony Belton had an up and down rookie season. He appeared in 14 games and started seven. Injuries along the offensive line forced Belton into action earlier than the Packers probably would have liked. He showed talent but remains raw and needs to improve his technique and adjust to life in the NFL.
Belton played both tackle and guard as a rookie and ended the season as the starting right guard after Elgton Jenkins suffered his season-ending injury and Sean Rhyan moved from guard to center. Pro Football Focus gave Belton below average grades at both pass protection and run blocking.
One of the keys for Belton will be to claim a full-time starting position somewhere on the Packers offensive line. He enters the offseason as the incumbent right guard but could also easily move back to tackle depending on the needs of the team. Establishing him at one position could speed up his progress and development.
Belton has the size the Packers wanted in their new-look offensive line at 6’6” and 336 pounds and he can move well for a big man. Look for him to take on a full-time starting role in 2026.
Number One: Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden became the first wide receiver to be drafted by the Packers in the first round in more than two decades last April. The former Texas star had a strong training camp and preseason and appeared ready to make an impact in his first NFL season.
However, once the regular season got underway, the Packers showed only limited trust in Golden. The rookie was on the field more often early in the season with Christian Watson still recovering from his torn ACL and Jayden Reed out of the lineup due to injuries.
Still, Matt LaFleur preferred to give reps to veterans like Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks and at times even Bo Melton. Unlike third round pick Savion Williams, LaFleur rarely schemed Golden open or designed plays to get him the ball.
Golden showed flashes of the ability that made him a first-round pick. He dropped only one pass all season on 44 targets and made some plays that were impressive. He finished the season with 29 catches for 361 yards. At times, Golden made rookie mistakes but that was to be expected. He had a strong game against the Bears in the playoffs, catching four passes for 84 yards and his first pro touchdown.
With Romeo Doubs likely leaving as a free agent next month, look for Golden to play a much larger role in the offense in his second NFL season.