Great fits for Packers at top positions of need in 2025 NFL draft
The Green Bay Packers have eight picks in the 2025 NFL draft and a real chance to both add foundational players and find answers for roster needs. The event begins on Thursday night with the first round, starts up again Friday night with the second and third rounds and finishes on Saturday with Rounds 3-7.
The Packers have clear needs at defensive end, receiver, cornerback and defensive tackle entering this draft. Who will general manager Brian Gutekunst target to solidify his roster this week?
Here’s one great fit at each of the Packers’ top need positions for each day of the 2025 NFL draft:
Defensive end
Day 1 – Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: There are legitimate questions about his lack of production, but he’s a classic box checker for the Packers — size, position, school, age, athleticism. Stewart is 270 pounds, one of the most athletic edge rushers to ever compete at the combine, only 21 years old and brimming with elite potential at a premium position. If available, he’s worth the gamble at No. 23 overall.
Day 2 – Jordan Burch, Oregon: He produced 11.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks over just 10 games in 2024 and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at 279 pounds at the combine. He fits the big profile of a Packers edge rusher. Day 2 could be a sweet spot at edge rusher for the Packers considering several others make sense here, including Landon Jackson, JT Tuimoloua and Nic Scourton.
Day 3 – Ashton Gillotte, Louisville: You want a Packers type with production? Gillotte created 24.5 tackles for loss over the last two years and tested extremely well at 267 pounds. Barryn Sorrell of Texas is also a strong Day 3 fit. SMU’s Elijah Roberts was a big-time disruptor who might have inside-outside versatility, making him another early Day 3 possibility.
Wide receiver
Day 1 – Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: Assuming Tetairoa McMillan is off the board by 23, Egbuka is the next best fit. He’s experienced, big and athletic enough to play inside and out, extremely reliable as a route runner and finisher, and capable as a blocker. He’s pro ready and well-positioned to contribute right away, especially in an offense like Green Bay’s. While he might lack some “star” power, it would be a surprise if Egbuka isn’t productive for many years at the NFL level.
Day 2 – Jayden Higgins, Iowa State/Jalen Royals, Utah State: Higgins is 6-4, a fluid athlete and arguably the most reliable pass-catcher in the class considering target load and drop rate. Royals consistently produced big plays both down the field and after the catch, in the Jayden Reed mold. Both Higgins and Royals are ideal fits who check just about every box for the Packers. Another Day 2 option: Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor.
Day 3 – Tory Horton, Colorado State: Horton is slender, but he was a big-time producer with legitimate play speed. He could be a terrific complementary weapon at the next level. Isaac TeSlaa from Arkansas is a big-time athlete who could also be on Green Bay’s radar on Saturday.
Cornerback
Day 1 – Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky: Could Will Johnson fall into range? We’ll see. If not, the fastest cornerback at the combine looks like a first-round fit. He can run (4.29 at the combine) and disrupt the ball (16 pass breakups, six interceptions over last two seasons), although his weight (183 at the combine) is a hurdle.
Day 2 – Trey Amos, Ole Miss: Aggressive, physical corner who played in all kinds of coverages at three different schools and produced 16 pass breakups during his final collegiate season at Ole Miss. Ascending player and Senior Bowl standout. Cal’s Nohl Williams is also a terrific fit, and Iowa State’s Darien Porter has considerable potential given his unique size and athletic profile.
Day 3 – Caleb Ransaw, Tulane: A Troy transfer who is both versatile (snaps all over the secondary) and athletic (9.75) and possessing vast special teams experience. Played in 49 career games and was a Senior Bowl participant. Considering his tackling ability and athleticism, Ransaw is a relatively high-floor prospect with decent upside — an ideal Day 3 player. The Packers also hosted Florida’s Jason Marshall Jr. on a pre-draft visit.
Defensive tackle
Day 1 – Derrick Harmon, Oregon: Arguably the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in college football last season. Needs to finish better but consistently found his way into the backfield against the run and passer. Big and tough and athletic — a possible future Kenny Clark replacement. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant is also a top fit
Day 2 – T.J. Sanders, South Carolina: Sanders is 21, an elite athlete and coming off two disruptive seasons. He’s an ascending player who has power and quickness, giving him real potential as a three-technique in Jeff Hafley’s front. He’s a Packers type all the way, and a real possibility to start Day 2. Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams also fits if he’s available in the second round.
Day 3 – Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech: While a little undersized (282 at combine, 289 at pro day), Peebles produced 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks for Duke in 2023 and then created 37 pressures for Virginia Tech in 2024. His disruptive ability and athleticism are worth checking out on Day 3.
