The ascending Green Bay Packers endured a frustrating 2024 season, in which there were moments of growth but also moments of real stagnation and even regression at times. In a ridiculously competitive, deep division in the NFC North, the Packers must continue building a roster that has been overhauled in recent years.

Fortunately for Green Bay, general manager Brian Gutekunst has proven adept at roster construction, bringing in a flood of talent since taking over. This time around, Gutekunst and company will have the No. 23 overall pick, both of their Day 2 selections, and seven picks in total to work with.

Read on for the 2025 NFL Draft outlook for the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers Needs & Draft Strategy

No franchise in NFL history is more synonymous with building through the draft than the Green Bay Packers, and that hasn’t changed under Brian Gutekunst.

The Packers’ general manager has added talent to nearly every position group during his tenure. But with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears all either contending or closing in on contender status, Green Bay must keep pace with its division rivals by addressing key needs in the draft.

There is no greater need in Green Bay than a true, dominant No. 1 wide receiver. While the Packers have done a fantastic job stockpiling talent at receiver, it’s a collection of solid complementary wideouts—something even running back Josh Jacobs acknowledged, stating the team needs a top option.

In 2024, Green Bay didn’t have a single 1,000-yard receiver, with Jayden Reed leading the team with 55 catches, 857 yards, and six touchdowns. Romeo Doubs (46 catches, 601 yards), Dontayvion Wicks (39 catches, 415 yards), and Christian Watson (29 catches, 620 yards) rounded out a group that is good but not great.

Whether it’s in free agency, through trade, or via the draft, Green Bay has to help Jordan Love by adding elite talent to its wide receiver corps.

On the other side, the Packers’ second biggest need is at cornerback. A premium position on the defense, it’s arguably the only position group that hasn’t gotten an influx of talent in recent years. With Jaire Alexander struggling through another injury-riddled season, the Packers can’t continue to count on the former Louisville Cardinal to be the shutdown corner he has been previously.

Across from him, Eric Stokes endured another underwhelming season ahead of free agency.

A former first-round pick (picked 29th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft), Stokes has never lived up to expectations, but 2024 was a new low—zero interceptions and zero pass breakups across 17 games. With Keisean Nixon being the most impactful of the group but strictly a slot corner, an upgrade is desperately needed.

Finally, to complement a potential addition at corner, Green Bay needs an impact player along the defensive line, specifically, an edge rusher. Though Rashan Gary remains a reliable starter, Green Bay lacks a truly elite pass rusher—a liability in a division that could soon feature three elite passing attacks.

Gary led the team in sacks last year with just 7.5. That’s why you end up with a defense that, despite its talent, ranked just 13th in hurry rate and 17th in pressure rate. In order to stay competitive with teams such as the Vikings and Lions, effectively pressuring the quarterback is non-negotiable. Green Bay hasn’t done that well enough.

Potential Green Bay Packers Draft Picks 2025

As the Green Bay Packers have shown with the development of all four top receivers on their depth chart, they excel at grooming talent at the position. In that sense, the draft’s second-best wide receiver, Luther Burden III, would be a high-upside selection in the first round.

Burden possesses the kind of skill set that modern No. 1 wide receivers thrive with. If the Packers believe in his potential, it’s easy to envision him joining an already crowded receiver room and emerging as the primary target early.

Should Green Bay instead elect to address its need at cornerback in the first round, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison or East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr. would be strong considerations.

On Day 2, corners like Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston, Texas’s Jahdae Barron, and Iowa State’s Darien Porter have the size and skill set needed to combat the NFC North’s talented wide receivers.

Finally, as the Packers are likely to target their edge rusher need on Day 2 or early Day 3, a quartet of prospects stands out. Arkansas’ Landon Jackson and Oregon’s Jordan Burch offer great size and versatility, while Kyle Kennard and Princely Umanmielen bring elite quickness that would pair well with Rashan Gary’s physicality.