Three 2025 Rookies Who Should Make a Bigger Impact for the Packers Next Season
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers 2025 draft class did not contribute much to the team in their rookie seasons. Injuries were certainly a factor as many members of the draft class missed valuable practice time and several games as a result of being hurt. Since the Packers don’t have a first-round pick in 2026 (or 2027), they will be counting on members of the 2025 draft class to make a bigger impact next season to help the team reach their lofty goal of contending for a Super Bowl. Here are three 2025 rookies who should make a bigger impact for the Packers in 2026:
Number Three: Barryn Sorrell
The Packers selected Sorrell in the fourth round with the 124th overall pick. The Texas alum played 14 games as a rookie and started one.
As a rookie, Sorrell was part of the Packers defensive end rotation and saw action in 20 percent of the defensive plays in the games he appeared in.
Sorrell recorded 1.5 sacks and made 15 tackles including one tackle for loss. He also recovered one fumble.
Sorrell showed some promise as a pass rusher by recording four pressures in the limited action he saw as a rookie. He also graded out solidly against the run according to Pro Football Focus.
Sorrell should get a chance for a larger spot in the rotation next year. We don’t know if Rashan Gary will return and Micah Parsons may not be fully back to health when the season starts as he rehabs from his torn ACL. Look for Sorrell to get a chance to show more of what he can do in year two.
Number Two: Anthony Belton
Second-round pick Anthony Belton had an up and down rookie season. He appeared in 14 games and started seven. Injuries along the offensive line forced Belton into action earlier than the Packers probably would have liked. He showed talent but remains raw and needs to improve his technique and adjust to life in the NFL.
Belton played both tackle and guard as a rookie and ended the season as the starting right guard after Elgton Jenkins suffered his season-ending injury and Sean Rhyan moved from guard to center. Pro Football Focus gave Belton below average grades at both pass protection and run blocking.
One of the keys for Belton will be to claim a full-time starting position somewhere on the Packers offensive line. He enters the offseason as the incumbent right guard but could also easily move back to tackle depending on the needs of the team. Establishing him at one position could speed up his progress and development.
Belton has the size the Packers wanted in their new-look offensive line at 6’6” and 336 pounds and he can move well for a big man. Look for him to take on a full-time starting role in 2026.
Number One: Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden became the first wide receiver to be drafted by the Packers in the first round in more than two decades last April. The former Texas star had a strong training camp and preseason and appeared ready to make an impact in his first NFL season.
However, once the regular season got underway, the Packers showed only limited trust in Golden. The rookie was on the field more often early in the season with Christian Watson still recovering from his torn ACL and Jayden Reed out of the lineup due to injuries.
Still, Matt LaFleur preferred to give reps to veterans like Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks and at times even Bo Melton. Unlike third round pick Savion Williams, LaFleur rarely schemed Golden open or designed plays to get him the ball.
Golden showed flashes of the ability that made him a first-round pick. He dropped only one pass all season on 44 targets and made some plays that were impressive. He finished the season with 29 catches for 361 yards. At times, Golden made rookie mistakes but that was to be expected. He had a strong game against the Bears in the playoffs, catching four passes for 84 yards and his first pro touchdown.
With Romeo Doubs likely leaving as a free agent next month, look for Golden to play a much larger role in the offense in his second NFL season.
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Comments (28)
Handsback
February 28, 2026 at 11:15 am
I was hoping that Green Bay would draft Belton, and had high hopes for him. Golden has great potential and many ex-players wonder aloud why he wasn't used in the offense. Steve Smith came out and said Green Bay was missing an opportunity to have him grow into the position.
Is it the players or the coaches?
JMHO
TKWorldWide
February 28, 2026 at 12:21 pm
I wonder as well. Is the offense really that hard to learn? I used to think Rodgers was the barrier to young guys contributing.
TarynsEyes
February 28, 2026 at 02:41 pm
I think Rodgers got a bad rep concerning him and young WRs, but when the issue is still around after the assumed cause is gone, it reminds me of a Mr. Miyagi quote to Daniel, "No such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher." "What the teacher says, the student does." Rodgers likely was saying, in his way, that they're not being taught well or correctly.
All I know, or the thing I know, is the WR group should be far better than what we're getting. That's a result of lacking talent, ability, coaching, or all of the above. But it isn't a blame Rodgers issue anymore.
TKWorldWide
February 28, 2026 at 07:28 pm
Did you hear about Watson’s answer about learning the plays? He said something along the lines of “there’s the offense from the playbook, but then there’s the one 12 runs.” He was referring, in part, to the “secret hand signals” that Rodgers and his vet receivers had.
But you are right, Golden’s lack of production/opportunities/whatever has nothing to do with Aaron. I do wonder how Golden’s rookie season would have gone if he’d been on a team without other receiving options.
I am not just hoping for, but rather expecting, Golden to be far more productive in 2026.
TarynsEyes
February 28, 2026 at 09:35 pm
Any QB and WR worth anything would have communication to have them both see something, or do you see what I see? One time Rodgers was looking over the D and looked to Nelson and instantly took a double take, and Nelson caught it and realized what Rodgers saw, and bam, a big TD play. Collinsworth showed it on replay multiple times, talking about the chemistry between them, and that isn't gained from the playbook. Perhaps Rodgers needs his young guys to learn to see what they don't while he does.
TKWorldWide
March 01, 2026 at 06:29 am
I definitely agree! It takes time and reps to build that!
I’d love to inject MLF with truth serum regarding Golden!
“He just wasn’t ready, he made too many mental mistakes”
“We didn’t think his talent warranted attempts to try to feature him”
Or whatever it was. Know what I mean?
dobber
February 28, 2026 at 12:59 pm
LaF might call the plays, but he doesn't throw the ball.
Still, Golden played 43% of the offensive snaps and had about the same number of targets as Wicks (39%, 46) in similar snaps. He would've been about even with Reed if his stats were extrapolated out over a whole season. Yes, Golden's snaps fell off after Watson's return (despite Kraft's injury), which points to his usage. He was a rotational WR in 2025, but should be starting with Reed and Watson in '26 with Doubs' starting spot and 85-ish annual targets up for grabs.
Gman1976
February 28, 2026 at 04:24 pm
Imagine that you are a 1st round draft choice budding with great potential; and then you see you are losing snaps to a ST player who is also a 2nd or 3rd string CB. The coach's decision just boggles my mind (especially when we learn that this rookie has the best hands of all our WRs) as well as great elusiveness.
Tundraboy
February 28, 2026 at 10:36 pm
Yes! All the qualities that Melton doesn't have and that others who had chronic drop issues! Yet it's like pulling teeth to get the obvious player on the field. Reminds me of how long it took to put Aaron Jones on the field when we were searching for exactly the same play making skills that all the other candidates lacked. Coaching acumen, ego or stubbornness. Either way, just dumb.
PhantomII
February 28, 2026 at 07:48 pm
It's the coach who is too dense to unlock his serious potential and do his job by designing plays to this catch everything WR1 to be. Same thing happened with Kraft being slow rolled to a greater roll it was obvious he was already ready for. Intelligence is not a given in GB....The one thing though, ML is now surrounded by several DC's and things will have to be thought out better or ML will not be in GB for another 7 yrs....Gute needs to give ML a functioning OL/DL then we can start playing deeper into the season and ML's replacement may be on the team if he can't get there.
Oxymoron 3339
February 28, 2026 at 11:34 am
I hope Warren Brinson becomes a force.
dobber
February 28, 2026 at 01:01 pm
He could grow into a bigger role, but I'll be happy if he turns into a solid player.
splitpea1
February 28, 2026 at 12:32 pm
We'll need all three of them to make to make a bigger impact. Golden and Sorrell should have been given more meaningful opportunities last season. MLF and Love simply have to get the ball in Golden's hands more often. Belton has the potential to be a beast when fully developed; maybe his grades weren't great, but he still only committed two penalties in a significant number of snaps, so that's not bad at all. Pair him with a good center and our IOL could turn into a strength.
Maybe we'll see more of Oliver as well if he can create a more defined role for himself.
dobber
February 28, 2026 at 01:17 pm
I can agree with all 3 of these guys, but I think you're underselling Belton, who stepped in when needed and played decent ball at RG with virtually no prep at the position. I'm bullish on him as a starter going forward, given an off-season with Packers trainers and time to focus on his position.
Sorrell is a fan favorite. With Enagbare likely leaving and no guarantee the Packers can or will sign a replacement, there's a path to regular snaps for Sorrell, and that doesn't even look at the possibility of Gary leaving town. Enagbare was consistent and competent...Sorrell profiles as being at least as decent.
I think that by next off-season, we'll be viewing the 2025 draft pretty positively.
canadapacker
February 28, 2026 at 01:48 pm
Lafleur tends not to trust rookies. Even Watson got limited action in his first season especially after he dropped the sure touchdown on his first throw from Rodgers. I dont know if it is because he is trying to show his second and third year players that it is their turn or he just doesnt trust them and doesnt integrate them into his schemes. But this is the year that if these guys are not making the offense the best in the division - then it will be Lafleurs fault - they have all the skills and potential. We need the offense to take a lot of time off the clock and score a lot of points while the new DC gets his defense organized.
WestCoastPackerBacker
February 28, 2026 at 08:03 pm
I beg to differ on Watson’s rookie season. He was hurt and missed time, but still started 11 games and had over 600 yards and 7 scores. Plus 2 more rushing scores. That topped his rookie class in scoring. He was used plenty for how GB had typically used rookies.
brenner
February 28, 2026 at 11:35 pm
Reed led the team in catches yards and TDS his rookie year. Watsons rookie season was ruined by the first drop on the missed TD against MIN in the opener.
Tundraboy
February 28, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Well Lafleur has shown enough to be called an idiot. Imho
Since'61
February 28, 2026 at 02:32 pm
Of these three players Belton should be starting at RG when the season begins. I'm thinking the starting OL from left to right will be; Morgan, Banks, ???, Belton and Tom. Center needs to be addressed in the draft and maybe via FA especially if Rhyan leaves during FA.
Golden should be among the starting WRs unless he has a bad TC for whatever reason but I think he showed that he can play.
Sorrell could be starting until Parsons returns from his ACL. At the least he should get more snaps as part of the DE rotation.
The Packers needs these three and a few others to step up and make an impact in 2026. Thanks, Since '61
NickPerry
February 28, 2026 at 03:45 pm
Nothing would make me happier that for those three to have strong seasons in 2026. Like my friend Since '61 mentioned just above me, the Packers need these three and MORE to make impacts.
I really hope I'm wrong and will be the first to call myself out if I am, but I'm having a hard time deciding if it's the coaching staff or the draft picks keeping these players from really making impacts early.
You see I don't think they really even gave Golden much of a chance last year. Had they, I think Golden would have torn the Bears and other teams a new ass had he played more earlier in the season. I know he was injured, but there were PLENTY of times he wasn't even on the field when he should have.
Belton was raw as hell and hopefully they LEAVE him at RG and don't mess with him. I didn't like what they've did with Jordan Morgan. Not EVERYONE can play every position on the line or even needs to. We're going into year three and we still don't know if he can play LT. Year three and you still are unsure about your 1st round pick from just 2 years ago? I mean WTF!
In the past you could see the team getting better. With each draft, FA pickup if there was one. I could SEE the progress. For 2026 I can't see shit. It's been almost 30 years since I felt this blah about a Packers team. This nervous. I really hope this is the year they all come together, in spite of some of the coaching!
Go Pack Go...The Bears SUCK!
And so do the Vikings, Lions, and I ain't crazy about the Eagles either!
Real Talk Ryan
February 28, 2026 at 09:33 pm
The reason you feel blah about the team is because we don't have a Rodgers type player behind center and the coach hasn't progressed an inch in 7 years. Arguably, he's gone backwards.
When we had Rodgers and Favre we were in the garden of Eden of the NFL. Now we're just like every other team without anything or anyone to get excited about.
This is why I could not understand why so many people wanted Rodgers gone. With him gone, the Packers are no longer one of the privileged. They are just one of the mediocre, meddling teams trying to figure it out. That's not exciting to anyone.
What's also not exciting is not being able to trust the management of the team from the top all the way down to the lowest coach. It's really irritating when the fans are told the grass is purple by the upper brass and we all know it's most clearly green.
We could be headed for some very trying times in Green Bay...... Unfortunately.
Turophile
February 28, 2026 at 05:43 pm
Right - so, which rookies did Gil pick to highlight ? Are we getting any surprises - nope.
He high;ighted the first round pick, the second round pick, and the 4th (and to be honest you could make a good case for him including the 3rd round pick).
I do get that at this time of year sites that endeavour to provide daily coverage of a team are in a slump. The post-season has ended, free agency hasn't begun yet and the draft is almost a month away. Even so, I can't wait for things to get more interesting in the next few weeks, when there is some impactful news.
brenner
February 28, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Sorrell is going to be fun to watch. I'd like to see him starting opposite LVN, assuming Gary is gone...
I'm less impressed by Belton but he was drafted to be a starter so I hope a full off-season at RG will get him where he needs to be...
Golden is pretty low hanging fruit here. He's taking Doubs place starting and having Watson opposite him will only help him...
Bronson and Stackhouse should be on the list as well, given outside of Wyatt didn't do much of anything. I really liked Riley the little bit he played though. I think Brooks and Wooden are on borrowed time in GB.
stockholder
March 01, 2026 at 07:14 am
Everyone wants to blame the coaching staff.
But did you really expect Sorrel to be an explosive playmaker?
( Making an immediate impact) just wasn't
going to happen, when Gute traded for Parsons.
And who expected Belton to have a significant role?
Moving players around because of injuries.
Gave Belton, as well as Rhyan, a opportunity.
They earned those roles now.
It's up to them to keep it.
Jordan Love said Golden had talent.
The problem was always competing for targets.
No Doubt; I'm sure will see his explosiveness.
Going forward;
Love must be protected.
Moving players around like chess pieces.
Has to stop. Hope is not a strategy!
Looking for domination can only be achieved.
If Love stays untouched. ( every game now.)
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2026 at 09:54 am
Sorrell had some injuries early in the campaign. Yes, I thought Sorrell would fit in better than Van Ness just scouting the Texas D-line with Byron Murphy and T-Sweat. His burst stood out. Belton was an older player coming into the League and really filling as a RT to backup Tom. He has better feet than you would expect given his size and took over the guard spot. Not a wide-zone guy. Golden should have been a featured weapon from game one. He's not a Demo Derby guy from the pathetic Shanahan offense. He was better than Wicks and the three pick was wasted for a gadget guy. I am not a fan of LaFleur as he folds when game time pressure arises. He probably keeps Gary on a refi and not admit defeat. I would trade Van Ness and use a 2027 #2 and move up in round two:
#35 Lee Hunter DT T-Tech
#84 Connor Lew C Auburn
#120 Aiden Fisher LB Indiana
#158 Sam Roush TE Stanford
#193 Andre Fuller CB Toledo
#237 Chip Trayanum RB Toledo
#254 Alan Herron OT Maryland
stockholder
March 01, 2026 at 10:22 am
Hunter doesn't work for me.
I'll wait for Chris McClellan DT Missouri
My belief is a CB will fall now @52
I'm wondering if Gute wouldn't take Lorenzo Styles. OSU
(Trade Bait for extra picks?)
Connor Lew C Auburn
I'd take Brian Parker 85.5 ot /c duke. first
might have to package a 7th now
Aiden Fisher LB Indiana?
My Belief is a NT here at 120
And I love Zxavian Harris NT
Emotional, Sugar bowl /leader.
He must show he can lift weight.
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2026 at 03:56 pm
T-Tech lead the Nation in defense. David Bailey will go in the top five. Rodriguez is now a low one pick, or top of round two. Hunter was the DT who earned 2nd Team, All-AMERICAN Honors. The Film doesn't lie. He is a Kenny Clark type guy. Boat anchors have gone the way of the dinosaurs. The other teams with leading defenses were Indiana and Toledo, for a reason. Both CBs are NFL guys for Toledo and their safety should go round two. Most have Hunter in the top 33 picks. Some have him going middle of round one. Wyatt will be the 3-tech. Brinson doesn't move the needle and Karl is a pass rush guy I would play more as a DE.
jannesbjornson
March 01, 2026 at 04:02 pm
Sonny Styles ? He will be going in the top 3-6 picks. Gutedkunst already gave away the first round for the next two years.