Four Positions the Green Bay Packers Should Not Prioritize Early in the Draft
By GilMartin

There has been so much talk about what positions Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst should prioritize early in the 2025 NFL Draft. But which positions does the team have the most talent and depth so that they don’t need to address it early in the draft? Here is a look at the top four positions the Packers should not prioritize on the first two days of the draft this year.
Quarterback
Gutekunst has said he wants to return to the Ron Wolf approach of drafting developmental quarterbacks late in the draft on a frequent basis. In the past, the Packers selected players like Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, and Mark Brunell who the team later traded for better draft picks. He may do that again this year, but there is no need to select a quarterback early.
Jordan Love is the established starter with Malik Willis scheduled to be the backup. There have been rumors that the Packers could trade Willis if they get an outstanding offer, but even if that happens, it wouldn’t make sense to take a quarterback in the first three rounds of this year’s draft.
Safety
The Packers have talent and depth here. Xavier McKinney provided All Pro caliber play in his first year with the team. He led the Packers with eight interceptions including five in the first five games.
Rookie Evan Williams stepped up and played well last season, especially down the stretch. He earned All-Rookie honors as a result of his strong play.
Fellow rookie Javon Bullard split time between the slot and safety but played better in the slot. Kitan Oladapo adds depth.
The Packers value versatility here so a player who can play both safety and the slot or corner is a definite possibility early in the draft. But there is minimal need to add a player who can only play safety.
Running Back
The Packers are four deep at running back and don’t need to prioritize this position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Josh Jacobs served as the team’s top running back and gained 1,329 yards in his first season with the team. He figures to serve a similar role next season.
Emanuel Wilson did a good job as the number two back. He gained 502 yards on 103 carries, a healthy 4.9-yard average.
Chris Brooks played well as the third back. The Packers signed him early in the season when injuries struck, and he did a good job of pass blocking and run blocking while averaging 5.1-yards per carry on 36 attempts.
Last year, second round pick MarShawn Lloyd only played one game due to injuries. He carried six times for 15 yards in that game but has yet to get a chance to show what he can contribute to the offense. Both Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have been excited about Lloyd’s potential as a change of pace back due to his speed and cutback ability.
While the Packers could always take a flier on a running back in the very late rounds of the draft, it is clearly not a significant need right now.
Tight End
The Packers also have talent and depth at tight end. Tucker Kraft has established himself as one of Love’s top targets. His best skill is running with the ball after the catch, and he often turns three yards passes into 10- or 12-yard gains.
If Luke Musgrave can stay healthy, he can help the Packers stretch the field from the tight end position. Last season, Musgrave was limited to just seven games due to injuries. LaFleur would love to have the opportunity to utilize the combined skills of Kraft and Musgrave on the field at the same time in 2025.
Ben Sims gives the Packers a steady blocking third tight end and John FitzPatrick provides a big target and special teams depth.
The only thing that keeps tight end at the bottom of this list is Musgrave’s inability to stay healthy. Overall, however, the Packers don’t have an urgent need right now at the tight end position.
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Comments (22)
dobber
April 19, 2025 at 10:55 am
I expect to see a QB and TE drafted on day 3, but would not be surprised if they forego RB and S.
Coldworld
April 19, 2025 at 11:02 am
We may, though I hope any TE is an excellent blocker first and foremost if we go there. Hawes or Ouzts being examples.
QB is possible, but I could see us going UDFA there just as easily. The class is very weak and the best upside later may be the most raw and potential UDFAs.
LLCHESTY
April 19, 2025 at 05:56 pm
I don't see Ouzts being drafted but I could see a team being interested in him enough to give a bigger bonus than the Packers would as a UDFA. He'd be a fun Packer, hed get 10 catches a TD a year and if he got the TD at Lambeau the crowd would go wild. Plus he'd provide comic relief, he looks old enough to be the step dad of a college student if Mom went a couple years younger. You show his picture to the general public and 80% of them would think he's 40!
Coldworld
April 20, 2025 at 09:22 am
Ouzts is the kind of piece you draft to tie up his rights late in the seventh to avoid a bidding war because there is no equivalent player out there (that I am aware of). Hawes I think goes in the 6th or 7th.
Ouzts would be a fun goal line pairing with Jacobs. He started out in college as a goal line FB carrying the ball, leading or leaking out for a catch. He’d be a great pairing with Lloyd too. Up the middle or outside dual threat and add the option that Ouzts shifts to be an extra OL.
jannesbjornson
April 19, 2025 at 05:46 pm
If Treveyon Henderson slid to #54, you would have to bag him. A dynamic back.
Coldworld
April 20, 2025 at 09:45 am
Who would you see him beating out for a roster spot? At that pick he better had or that’s a terrible pick? He looks like a Lloyd type. I’d prefer Lloyd who is essentially already picked this year.
jannesbjornson
April 21, 2025 at 07:24 pm
He is superior to Lloyd. If Jacobs goes down for the count, the running game flounders. Henderson was the best back for Ohio State, three years running and can get out fast in the passing game. He is Better than Judkins. On par with Jeanty.
GregC
April 21, 2025 at 09:00 pm
You want to give up on Marshawn Lloyd after one season?
jannesbjornson
April 22, 2025 at 09:00 am
If the opportunity presented itself, take the Player. Lloyd had injuries at S Carolina. Bucky Irving was the guy to snag. Tampa went to town with him getting into space.
GregC
April 19, 2025 at 10:55 am
Would've been a more interesting article if CB and/or OL was added to the list. I don't want either of those in the first two rounds, and probably not in the first three rounds.
LambeauPlain
April 19, 2025 at 01:27 pm
Now that it seems clear Alexander the Occasional will (for now) be a healthy start on game days, with Hobbs, Nixon, Valentine, and 4 other youngsters on the roster, CB may not be a target until day three.
But to ignore OL in the first two days is advice Team Gutey will not take. After QB, OL is the most impactful unit on the team, and next year 3 starters need to be re-signed or replaced.
I see 2 OL drafted. Quality depth would be reason alone...next offseason demands it.
Coldworld
April 19, 2025 at 05:18 pm
I could easily see us not taking an OL till the 5th. I suppose it depends on what we think of Morgan, Monk and Jennings for this year. The need is for a developmental player or two behind them unless one or two of those are sounding alarm bells.
LLCHESTY
April 19, 2025 at 06:54 pm
I could see taking Wyatt Milum or Savaiinaea in the 2nd but I doubt either is there and without knowing what their plan is for Morgan. Tate Ratledge too but he's a guard so that's a pipedream. Otherwise I think you're right, there doesn't seem many O linemen in rounds 3 and 4 that fit the profile. They're supposedly interested in Belton but he's not really in their wheelhouse either. Maybe they think he might be available in the 5th where they start overlooking their thresholds. That or Gutey is loosening them more.
Alberta_Packer
April 19, 2025 at 05:09 pm
I fully expect Gutekunst to expand his draft capital to at least 10 picks - which would give him the opportunity to address each position. If so - I also expect that he will allocate a draft pick to TE and QB. And if the right set of circumstances arises - perhaps Safety and RB. Here is as I see it:
TE - The Packers could very much use a good in-line blocking TE - such as:
Round 4 - Mitch Evans
Round 5 - Jackson Hawes
Round 6/7 - C.J. Dippre / Gavin Bartholomew / Luke Lachey
Round 7/UDFA - Robbie Ouzts
QB - It is almost certain that Malik Willis will be leaving after this season. And Sean Clifford does not appear to be the answer as QB-2. So...
Round 6 - Kurtis Rourke
Round 7 - Seth Hennigan
UDFA - Taylor Elgersma
Safety - He's big, fast and rugged. Ideal as a nickle defender.
Round 4/5 - Caleb Ransaw (Safety - CB)
RB - This is a good and deep RB class. So it's quite possible that there may be a hidden gem or two available in round 7. So if the Packers have multiple round 7 picks - why not draft one?
Coldworld
April 19, 2025 at 05:24 pm
Because the running back class is deep, I’d expect us to be more likely to go UDFA unless we pick up a few more picks such that else can spare one or two as “priority UDFA reservations”. There will be similar prospects available.
It’s worth noting that 2 of the 3 regulars last year were UDFAs and we likely only keep 3 on the roster. With Lloyd joining the battle, that’s going to be hard to crack and any youngster is probably going to the PS at best even if there is an injury.
Alberta_Packer
April 19, 2025 at 06:43 pm
I truly doubt that the Packers will use one of their draft picks on a RB. However, should one of my favorites - Jaydon Blue - be available in the 7th round - and selected by the Packers - I would be most pleased. Also Jacory Croskey-Merritt
nagawicka
April 19, 2025 at 10:50 pm
They'll nab an RB late because they can. There are good ones and as soon as the one they like, that fits--and there's such a wide variety of runners that sooner or later one they like'll be sitting there, right in front of Gute.
nagawicka
April 19, 2025 at 10:57 pm
'almost certain', says who? Pay him. Pay Malik Willis good. Then watch as qb injuries do NOT rob us of upcoming wins, playoff runs, titles. Never seen so many do what you're told and never get what you want. I spose everyone's got someone *else* to massively overpay? We were told Derrick Mayes was good. We were convinced that throwing massive piles of gold at Metcalf and Adams was THE only solution. 1265 never made a call. Time to stop lapping up what we're told. We've got the cash.
Alberta_Packer
April 20, 2025 at 09:41 am
" says who?" Says the salary cap.
nagawicka
April 21, 2025 at 01:46 am
LOL NO one here is controlling the pursestrings and who here can say otherwise.
LLCHESTY
April 19, 2025 at 05:44 pm
Ben Sims certainly Does Not give them steady blocking. A bigger inline TE in the 7th or UDFA would probably push him to the UFL.
nagawicka
April 19, 2025 at 10:43 pm
Looks like a ton of decent Tight Ends this year. We'd be foolhardy not to take at least one.
Hugh Fannin Jr, @ 45-65 -- Sam LaPorta anyone
Jaylin Conyers late, @ 200 -- blocking TE
If Kraft gets injured or Musgrave can't stay on his feet or on the field, we're fvkd. They're not gonna forget to restock in a good crop year, you degrade your TE room if you don't, so every year every position gets new guys because you have to make upgrade moves just to stay in the same place.