Grading the Packers' Draft

Field Level Media|published: Sat 26th April, 21:31 2025

Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas poses after being selected twenty-third overall pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay.

Grade: C-

Best Pick: WR Matthew Golden, No. 23 Overall

What We Liked: Golden at 23 was impressive value that I would've salivated over if I was a general manager. He should be the top target for Love instantly and finally provide an alpha presence to that room of complementary pieces. GM Brian Gutekunst took need into account well and addressed nearly all the positions that were missing starting-level talent and injected youth into rooms that had lost veterans to free agency. The floor of that team at the very least has been raised.

Not Sure About: Nearly every pick after Golden felt like a reach. There was constantly better talent on the board, and it looks to me like Gutekunst was more worried about scheme fit than actually getting the best players possible. Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver are good fits for how the Packers run their defense, but ultimately they just don't have the same natural talent as edge rushers who came off the board later. Savion Williams feels like an attempt to recapture the brief Christian Watson magic, but he has a lot of development still to come.

--Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media