Zeroing in on the Packers draft needs

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 offense 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.

Top 5 Packers Needs Heading Into the 2025 NFL Draft

CHTV contributor Cody Roadcap highlights the Top 5 needs for the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mocking the Mock Drafts: Guessing Game Awards

With the NFL draft being less than a month away, speculation season has strongly started springing mock drafts from draft experts brewing together thoroughly thought out lists. Who is going where? What is the logic behind this pick? Will this be the year a certain team prioritizes drafting a receiver in the first round?

There are an overwhelming amount of mock drafts out there to research providing unique perspectives and guesses. Out of twenty mock drafts from various sports outlets, here is a break down of what the experts think the Packers will do with their first-round pick.

Learn about the history of the NFL Draft!

Aaron chats with the curator for the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Brent Hensel, about the team's partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Hensel's certificate program covering the history of the NFL and the Packers. This year's program covers the history of the NFL Draft!

Mecole Hardman Signing Gives Packers Draft Flexibility

After Green Bay’s signing of veteran wide receiver Mecole Hardman, the prevailing sentiment is that the move will not impact what the Packers will do in the draft in any way.

In a sense, that’s true. The presence of Hardman will not preclude general manager Brian Gutekunst from selecting a receiver. But what it does mean is that the Packers do not have to add a receiver at all. The Packers do not have a hole at receiver, contrary to what many people believe, at least not in terms of numbers. They have Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and now Hardman. That is six receivers with multiple years of NFL experience, and that is before Christian Watson returns to the mix at some point.

There is of course an argument the Packers have a need at wide receiver in terms of an elite-level starter, which is something none of their group have established themselves as. But the fact of the matter is, they are no more likely to find that in the draft, especially this year’s class, than they are by one of their current players developing.

As an overall draft strategy, it is pretty likely the Packers do take a receiver at some stage, as they have two key players in contract years and another two with only two years left of their rookie deals. They need to keep the conveyor belt moving and add competition to freshen up the room, but do not be surprised if the receiver pick does not come until day three.

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What Is Next For Elgton Jenkins?

As of the third week of free agency, the Packers still don't have a starting center. They chose not to re-sign Josh Myers, who went on to sign a one-year deal with the New York Jets. One possible solution is moving Elgton Jenkins to center, a position he's played before. That shift would open the door for Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan—who is entering the final year of his rookie contract—to start at guard.

Jenkins has 369 career snaps at center, with 297 of them coming during the 2020 season. He has started four games at the position, totaling 255 snaps as a true center. In that span, he allowed just two pressures and didn’t give up a single sack. He also started one game at center in 2024, during Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. In that outing, he posted a perfect pass-blocking efficiency score, although he did struggle with snapping the ball in a couple of plays.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Green Bay plans on Jenkins being their starting center, with Aaron Banks stepping in at left guard. However, the Packers have met with Jared Wilson, the starting center from Georgia. While Jenkins moving to center is the most probable scenario, there’s still a chance he could be used at guard, depending on how things develop.

It's Time for Marshawn Lloyd to Carve Out His Role

Shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft, Packer fans heard NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah say they had gotten the best running back in the draft. Former Senior Bowl director and respected NFL scout, Jim Nagy agreed with him on that statement. This was high praise considering three running backs were selected before Lloyd in the draft with the first going 42 picks ahead of him. He'd have his work cut out for him proving this was indeed true.

Unfortunately, for Marshawn Lloyd and the Packers, injuries plagued his rookie season only allowing him to dress for one preseason game and only one regular season game. This wasn't all, training camp injuries also kept him out of practice often. Lloyd only carried the ball once in preseason for eight yards before departing with a hamstring injury. When he was able to play in the regular season, he got in 10 offensive snaps in week 2, carrying the ball six times for 15 yards and he recorded one reception for three yards before exiting with an ankle sprain that kept him out for six games. In mid-November when Lloyd was finally able to return, he was sidelined with appendicitis effectively ending his season. Marshawn Lloyd just couldn't catch a break and his rookie season ended up essentially being a redshirt.

Lloyd was dealt a rough hand his rookie season. But he has all the skill and talent he needs to make a huge 2nd year impact. This offseason has mainly been focused on improving the passing game on offense. You do need a great passing game to win in the NFL, but a great running game can help bolster that passing game. In 2025 the Packers are hoping Marshawn Lloyd along with Josh Jacobs can create the best 1-2 rushing punch in football.

NFL Draft: Traits vs Production

Aaron Nagler chats with Justis Mosqueda from ACME Packing Company about the reticence from Packers fans when it comes to the idea of Green Bay using a premium draft pick yet another athletic edge prospect with minimal college production.

The Cheesehead TV Draft Guide drops April 2nd!