The Green Bay Packers have the misfortune of playing in the very competitive NFC North, which means they simply can’t afford to make too many mistakes in the 2025 NFL Draft. Brian Gutekunst heads into this mad dash with his team needs firmly set in stone.
The cornerback room needs one more star amid all of the Jaire Alexander buzz, the defensive line has a severe lack of pass rush juice that will be exposed by teams with good offensive lines, and Jordan Love’s group of protectors needs an improvement.
The Packers are typically a team who likes to hoard their picks and try to build out as much depth as possible, but they could be willing to put a stop to that theory if they are so enticed by one of this trio of future NFL stars.
3 2025 NFL Draft prospects Packers must consider trading up for
3. Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
Offensive tackle may not be the Packers' biggest need in the world, but they could very quickly change their tune if Banks is able to make it out of the first 15 picks. Banks is as good of a pass protector as Top 10 picks in LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou.
Banks would be an immediate starter at left tackle, especially if Jordan Morgan is to remain inside for the forseeable future. Green Bay's offensive line, should this trade up become reality and Aaron Banks plays up to his contract, could go from good to great fairly soon.
2. Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Stewart's lack of production is not just unusual for a player expected to be picked this high, it's alarming. Despite 4.5 career college sacks, never topping 1.5 in any season, Stewart's freakish workout numbers suggest that he could come right into the NFL and make an impact.
Stewart has linebacker speed in a 270-pound frame, and his power has helped him pile up the pressures at a rate that would belie someone with his average sack numbers. Stewart is a bet on potential, though he could be a Pro Bowler in the right scheme.
1. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Packers have been connected to Barron for quite some time, as the combination of a large gap between the top corners in this class and Green Bay's secondary needing one more star make the two a perfect pairing from both a need and schematic point of view.
Barron's versatility and ball skills are so impressive that it is looking less likely with each passing day that he makes it out of the first round. In a cornerback class generally regarded as subpar when compared to the rest of the positions on defense, Barron is a jewel worth chasing.