The 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay is finally here. On Thursday night, the Packers and 31 other teams will kick off the league’s premier roster-building event with the first round, which begins with the Tennessee Titans and the No. 1 overall pick and could finish with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles making a pick at No. 32. The Packers, who lost to the Eagles in the NFC playoffs, hold the No. 23 overall pick.
Answering five questions for the Packers entering Thursday night’s first round:
Who is the dream pick? WR Tetairoa McMillan
The Packers have a slot dynamo in Jayden Reed and a master separator in Dontayvion Wicks as potential long-term building blocks at wide receiver. But with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs both entering contract years, the need for a ball-winning “X” receiver is real in Green Bay. McMillan fits the job description perfectly. He’s big (6-4, 213), strong and fluid, provides a huge catch radius, wins after the catch and proved durable over three dominant college seasons. He is rightfully getting Mike Evans comps. The Packers spent a ton of time with McMillan pre-draft and should know the player well. The Jordan Love passing game could get to the next level by adding a player of McMillan’s caliber, but it’s unclear if the Arizona star has any chance of getting into range of 23. Jayden Higgins could be the second-round version of this dream at wide receiver.
Who is the favorite fit at No. 23? DL Derrick Harmon
Harmon is disruptive and versatile, still only 21 years old and coming off a dominant final collegiate season in which he led all interior defensive linemen in pressures. Way back in 2016, the Packers used the 27th overall pick on a 6-3, 313-pound defensive tackle from UCLA named Kenny Clark. Almost 10 years later, a similarly sized interior disruptor from the West Coast could help solve the Packers’ short and long term issues along the defensive front. Harmon is athletic, plays with great effort, can play both defensive tackle spots in the 4-3 and gives the front what the Packers need more of: block-beating, pressure-creating ability. And he could be the long-term replacement for Clark, who turns 30 this year and is coming off one of his worst professional seasons.
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Trade up or down? Down
The Packers have only eight picks and lack the high-end draft capital of recent years. Unless a can’t miss first-round prospect drops to 23, trading down and adding a pick or two is the probably best path. Of course, a trade takes two to tango, and you can bet several teams will be trying to trade down during the second half of the first round. Brian Gutekunst has never been reluctant to move around the board, especially early, so a trade is certainly possible on Thursday night. I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility of moving up to get a blue-chip player if one falls, especially in a draft class that appears to lack top-end talent, but a trade down from 23 is still more likely. More swings in the middle rounds, please.
Who is the potential surprise pick? OT Josh Simmons
Picking Simmons in the first round would drive most Packers fans up the wall. He plays left tackle, is coming off a major knee injury and probably wouldn’t play right away for the Packers offensive line. But Simmons is a very good player at a premium position, and he only has a chance to be available at No. 23 because of the injury. His 2024 tape at left tackle before the injury was top-10 player good. The Packers might have six starting caliber offensive linemen entering 2025, but that number could shrink quickly — Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are all entering contract years, and Elgton Jenkins (who is moving to center) isn’t guaranteed to be back at his current cap number in 2026. While 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan is going to get a shot to be the long-term left tackle, most have viewed him as a guard. By 2026, Simmons could be the left tackle with Morgan entrenched as a starting guard. Picking Simmons at 23 is a scenario that can’t be dismissed.
I want the Packers to target: Pass-rusher
The Packers have clearly defined needs at (in no particular order): receiver, edge rusher, defensive tackle, cornerback and offensive line. The front office in Green Bay has been historically great at finding good players at wide receiver and along the offensive line on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft, and this class offers plenty of options at both positions after Round 1. And while cornerback is overdue for a big investment and needs better talent, the Packers are going into this draft with four players — counting slot defender Javon Bullard — who can play the position in Jeff Hafley’s defense. So don’t be surprised if the Packers hone in on a pass-rusher, whether it’s on the edge or inside. Far too often last year, Hafley had to conjure up simulated pressures or blitzes to help his front-four. That wasn’t the plan. The Packers changed defensive line coaches and are expecting a big year from players like Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt, but adding another contributor to the mix would help the front four take a big step forward. The Packers can’t be a Super Bowl contender without a better pass-rush. This draft is rich in defensive front players and has several first-round fits for the Packers.
