Green Bay Packers Football: Team Roster, Schedule & More

Tag: Jordan Love Packers

  • Will the Packers Draft a WR in Round 1? NFL Mock Draft Predictions

    Will the Packers Draft a WR in Round 1? NFL Mock Draft Predictions

    For over 20 years the Green Bay Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round. The last time they did was in 2002 when they took Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick. But trends may be changing as mock drafts are connecting the Packers to top wideouts with the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s get into the latest buzz and takeaways on the Packers first round decision.

    The Packers’ Historical Draft Trend

    The Packers have historically avoided taking wide receivers early in the draft. Instead they’ve focused on other areas of the roster—defense and offensive line. This has been true in recent years but the trend may finally be changing. With Jordan Love in the starting lineup, the receiving corps is now a priority.

    Mock drafts are now suggesting the Packers may break their 20 year trend and take a wide receiver in the first round. Here’s what the experts are saying who might be on the board at 23.

    Wide Receiver Options for the Packers

    Matthew Golden (Texas)

    According to Chad Reuter of NFL.com, the Packers could look to Matthew Golden to be a long-term answer at wide receiver. Golden’s speed and ability to win contested catches makes him a downfield threat. His performance at the NFL Combine and second half of the 2024 season has raised his stock big time.

    Why He Fits: Golden could be a stable presence in a Packers wide receiver room without a true #1.

    Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)

    Josh Liskiewitz of Pro Football Focus likes Emeka Egbuka as a high-floor guy who can play immediately. Despite three years of draft hype surrounding Egbuka, he’s a consistent producer and reliable. There’s draft fatigue on him, but he’s an attractive option.

    Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports says: “Egbuka isn’t going to blow you away with speed or size, but he’s just a good player. The Packers have taken guys based on traits at WR and it hasn’t worked out. This time they take the guy who can play the position.”

    Defensive Options at 23

    While wide receivers are rising in mock drafts, defensive players are still in play for the Packers. Here are some of the top defensive prospects connected to Green Bay:

    Derrick Harmon (Oregon)

    Multiple analysts, including Ben Standig of The Athletic and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY, have the Packers taking Derrick Harmon on the defensive line. His interior pop and pass-rushing ability would play well with Green Bay’s recent first-round linemen.

    Why He Fits: Harmon brings immediate defensive disruption and flexibility to handle current defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt.

    Mock Draft Takeaways

    1. End the WR Drought: The Packers have never taken a wide receiver in the first round. Mock drafts are starting to say they will this year. Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka would be long term solutions to the receiving problems.
    2. Defensive Depth Still Matters: Even with all the WR talk, defensive prospects like Derrick Harmon, Shavon Revel Jr., and Donovan Ezeiruaku are still in play for the 23rd pick.
    3. Trade Scenarios: With running backs like Omarion Hampton and quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart popping up in this range, the Packers could trade their pick to a team that needs one of those.

    Top Picks in Mock Drafts

    • Cam Ward (QB, Miami): Number 1 overall in all mocks.
    • Abdul Carter (Edge, Penn State): Number 2 in most mocks.
    • Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): 2-3 in 9 of 10 mocks.
    • Travis Hunter (CB/WR, Colorado): Top 5 in every mock.
    • Mykel Williams (Edge, Georgia): 9-29 in range, could go to Packers at 23.

    2025 NFL Draft Trends

    • Top picks set in stone? Miami QB Cam Ward went number 1 in all mocks.
    • Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) back in top 3 after strong finish.
    • Georgia’s Jalon Walker (EDGE) is a wild card—top 5 or slide.
  • Packers Predicted to Draft WR1 with 26-TD Receiver in 2025 NFL Draft

    Packers Predicted to Draft WR1 with 26-TD Receiver in 2025 NFL Draft

    The Green Bay Packers have been looking for a true No. 1 wide receiver for years and after a 2024 season that showed just how much they need one the team will be addressing this need in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite a good overall season the Packers came up short against the top NFC teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings – games where a go-to receiver could’ve made all the difference. With quarterback Jordan Love locked into a big extension it’s time for the Packers to give him the weapons he needs to succeed.

    ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka as the answer to the Packers’ problems and has him going at No. 23 overall. Let’s get into why Egbuka could be the perfect fit for the Packers and how he could change the offense.

    Why the Packers Need a True WR1

    The 2024 Packers receiving group was decent but had no true alpha. Jayden Reed showed flashed but struggled with consistency, Christian Watson was injury plagued. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are solid role players but none of them were the type of dynamic player who can take over a game.

    Without a WR1 Green Bay finished 8th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric- not bad but not good enough to be one of the best teams in the league. The lack of an outside receiver was especially evident in big games where the Packers came up short.

    Who Is Emeka Egbuka?

    At 6’1” with elite footwork, route running and separation skills Emeka Egbuka is the type of player the Packers need. He’s polished and ready to play right now.

    Key Points:

    • Elite Route Runner: Egbuka can read defenses and adjust on the fly. A quarterback’s best friend.
    • Red-Zone Threat: 24 touchdowns in his college career at Ohio State. He can deliver in big moments.
    • Versatility: Whether in the slot or outside Egbuka has the quickness off the line and physicality to exploit coverage and stretch defenses vertically.

    In 2024 alone Egbuka had 1,011 receiving yards. He can produce at an elite level against top competition. For a Packers offense that was middle of the pack in explosiveness Egbuka could put them in the top half.

    How Egbuka Fits with Jordan Love?

    Jordan Love has shown flashes of brilliance but without a reliable No. 1 target his ceiling is untapped. Egbuka’s hands, football IQ and ability to get separation would be a go to guy for Love especially in 3rd down and redzone situations.

    Plus Egbuka’s presence would open up the field for other playmakers like Josh Jacobs and tight end Luke Musgrave , making the offense more balanced and unpredictable under Matt LaFleur.

    PFSN’s Mock Draft Projections

    Packers Addressing Other Needs

    While ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Egbuka to the Packers, PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla has a different plan. In his latest mock draft, Pasciolla has the Packers taking cornerback Jahdae Barron at 23.

    Why Barron Makes Sense

    “Jahdae Barron would be in a great spot if he’s drafted by the Green Bay Packers,” Pasciolla wrote. “If Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander returns, Barron could learn a lot from him. But if Alexander is traded, Barron could start right away.”

    Barron isn’t elite athletic but his tackling and physical presence is perfect for the modern NFL especially in the slot. But this still leaves the WR1 issue unresolved – unless they trade back into the first round or take a receiver in the 2nd.

    Egbuka to Seattle?

    Pasciolla also mocks Egbuka to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 18, saying they need a replacement for departed stars DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett . Pairing Egbuka with Cooper Kupp and Sam Darnold could open up the Seattle offense—but Packers fans will hope he stays in Wisconsin.

    “The Seahawks lost wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, so young Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp will lead the new-look offense,” Pasciolla wrote. “Adding one more weapon for ex-Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold could unleash the best version of the free-agent addition.”