The Green Bay Packers will have a few weeks to figure out what they are going to be doing with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Packers fans are looking forward to seeing their team host the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) recovers a fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
On Monday, general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to the media about what to expect with this franchise for the next few weeks. One position that Green Bay will have to figure out is addressing the defensive line. It is one of the biggest needs for this team entering the 2025 NFL Draft. The Packers pass rush was very inconsistent during the 2024 NFL season.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Doesn’t Think They Need To Upgrade Pass Rushers
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Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Packers could very well address the pass rush department in the 2025 NFL Draft. Green Bay didn’t trade for Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, or anyone else yet so far this offseason. Gutekunst spoke to the media during the owners meetings about potentially drafting defensive lineman during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fans are not going to appreciate what he said. Gutekunst said,
“I think we can do everything we need to do with the players we have on our roster right now. I think there’s a significant amount of improvement for those guys, not only in Year 2 of a scheme but just individually, as well. We’ve invested in that quite a bit already and I’m excited to see the growth that those guys will have. If the draft happens to bring us some more ammunition in that caliber, great, but I don’t think it’s something that’s necessary that we’ll have to go chase.”
Rashan Gary led the team in sacks with 7.5 during the 2025 season. Devonte Wyatt was second with five sacks. The pass rush was not very good during the season. In 17 games, the team only accounted for 45 sacks. One player who will need to take a leap in 2025 is Lukas Van Ness. He only recorded three sacks. Kenny Clark signed a contract extension last offseason and didn’t perform well.
Potential Draft Targets
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Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst watches practice during Family Night on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
There are a few names that the Packers could target in the 2025 NFL Draft in the first round on the defensive line. Some names to potentially watch for will be Derrick Harmon from the Oregon Ducks, James Pearce Jr. from the Tennessee Volunteers, and Walter Nolen from the Ole Miss Rebels. Green Bay has been linked to draft defensive linemen, wide receivers, or cornerbacks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
There is an outside chance that Gutekunst will draft an offensive lineman in the first round for the second consecutive year. No matter how it is looked at, it is stunning that the general manager thinks that this pass rush unit can get the job done with the current offensive line talent in the NFC North. They are going to have to upgrade the talent on the defensive line through the NFL Draft whether Gutekunst wants to or not for Green Bay.
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