Packers Need in Draft is On Defense, Again
In this century, which is 25 NFL drafts, the Green Bay Packers have had a tendency to draft one side of the ball much more often than the other in the first round of the draft.
Including both Jordy Nelson and Kevin King, who were the team's first draft picks, both early in the second round in 2008 and 2017, respectively, the Packers have drafted 19 defensive players compared to just eight offensive players.
The list on defense since 2000: Jamal Reynolds, Nick Barnett, Ahmad Carroll, AJ Hawk, Justin Harrell, Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Haha Clinton-Dix, Demarious Randall, Kevin King, Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Rashan Gary, Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Lukas Van Ness.
The list on defense since 2000: Bubba Franks, Javon Walker, Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Derek Sherrod, Bryan Bulaga, Jordan Love and Jordan Morgan.
For this upcoming draft, the team’s two biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball, which means it would not be surprising if, once again, Brian Gutekunst used the team’s first pick on defense. Those needs are cornerback and the defensive line.
Last month, I focused on some of the prospects on the defensive line, which is a strength of this year’s draft. Specifically at defensive tackle where there’s likely to be at least 10 drafted in the first two rounds.
Packers Have Draft Need on the Defensive Line https://t.co/7Dgy4Gmj1V #Packers #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/yVeU8vMQxb
— CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv) February 16, 2025
Right now, the Packers have an urgent need at the cornerback position, even with the free agent signing of former Raiders corner Nate Hobbs. Currently, the only corners on the roster with game experience are Hobbs, Alexander, Keisan Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Kamal Hadden. Last year’s 7th round pick Kalen King did not play in 2024.
# Player H/W College
1 Will Johnson 6-1.5, 195 Michigan
2 Jahdae Barron 5-10.5, 195 Texas
3 Max Hairston 5-11, 183 Kentucky
4 Azareye'h Thomas 6-1.5, 197 Florida State
5 Trey Amos 6-0.5, 195 Mississippi
6 Shavon Revel 6-1.5, 195 East Carolina
7 Benjamin Morrison 6-0, 193 Notre Dame
There are several cornerbacks the Packers could target at pick No. 23. The consensus top cornerback is Will Johnson is from Michigan and it is likely he is long gone by Green Bay’s first pick. A few realistic options could be Jahdae Barron of Texas, Azareye'h Thomas of Florida State, Trey Amos of Ole Miss, Shavon Revel of East Carolina and Benjamin Morrison of Notre Dame.
Best Schemes for Top CBs...
Zone Coverage - Travis Hunter
Man/Man - Azareye'h Thomas
Off Coverage - Will Johnson
Base CB/Sub NB - Jahdae Barron
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 22, 2025
A player like Thomas has been a popular pick for the Packers in either Round 1 or Round 2 in mock drafts because of his size (6-1, 197 pounds) and his ability to play in man coverage. As well as being a Senior Bowl player, which is very attractive to Gutekunst.
Azareyeh Thomas/Will Johnson almost identical height/weights and playtime/snaps...
Thomas is 15 months younger than Will Johnson... with +2" longer arms (32 3/8" vs 30 1/8")
Johnson more impact plays on ball/production... Higher level game experience.
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 22, 2025
If the Packers were to draft Thomas next month, he would be the first defensive back from Florida State drafted by the Packers since 1992 when Ron Wolf used his first selection as the team’s general manager on Terrell Buckley. Buckley did go on to finish with 50 career interceptions, but his best seasons were after being traded away by Wolf in 1995.
Buckley was the college teammate of LeRoy Butler, who was a very successful draft pick in 1990 out of Florida State. The former 2nd round pick went into the Hall of Fame in 2022 and was a four-time All Pro at the safety position.
The only explosives allowed in man coverage in Azareyeh Thomas career. 4 Total. Can barely fit sheet of paper between him and WR on 3 of them…
Dude might be best man/man CB in the Draft. pic.twitter.com/YKCQt4P6JS
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 22, 2025
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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