The offseason is a wonderful time of year as the pain and frustration of a heartbreaking playoff exit make way for the blossoming of hope.
Green Bay Packers fans have good reason for optimism. Brian Gutekunst has quietly established a reputation as one of the league's premier roster-builders, and he would have a strong argument to say his Packers team is ahead of schedule in the Jordan Love era.
The record for the NFL's two youngest playoff teams belongs to Gutekunst's Packers. They enter Year 3 of the Love era with a running start and have the necessary cap space to become big-time buyers in free agency.
This optimism echoes Gutekunst's end-of-season comments, in which he called for the Packers to show a sense of "urgency." He believes "it's time that we start competing for championships."
Gutekunst must hit another offseason home run to bridge the gap in the NFC North, potentially including a blockbuster acquisition. ESPN's Benjamin Solak floated the idea that the Packers "could package someone like Romeo Doubs" in a trade for a star wide receiver like DK Metcalf or Garrett Wilson.
What could a potential deal look like? How would it impact the Packers' draft plans? Let's explore that possibility in this three-round mock draft.
Packers 3-round 2025 NFL mock draft featuring blockbuster DK Metcalf-Romeo Doubs trade
The trade
Who says no?
Seattle must fix a salary-cap mess before the start of the new league year. According to Over The Cap, it must clear $27.5 million to get back to zero. Trading or releasing Metcalf, who only has one year remaining on his contract, would free up almost $11 million of that figure.
The Seahawks net a fourth-round pick and add pass-catching help after losing Metcalf. Doubs would give them a reliable, consistent receiver to pair with breakout star Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Packers add a difference-maker on offense. Metcalf would become a consistent, go-to target for Love while giving them another way to stretch defenses vertically with Christian Watson sidelined for much of the year.
Now, we move into the mock draft, which was put together using the Pro Football Focus simulator.
Round 1 (23): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Jahdae Barron falling to No. 23 would be the dream scenario for the Packers.
The defense still has a nickel problem. Keisean Nixon struggled there, while rookie Javon Bullard lacked consistency in coverage. Barron could be an instant starter in the slot, but he also offers the versatility to play outside or even at safety. Sound familiar? It may remind you of Cooper DeJean, a finalist for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, who the Packers passed on last year.
Per Pro Football Focus, Barron allowed just 36 completions on 67 targets for 279 yards, no touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. Quarterbacks earned a 33.1 passer rating when throwing his way.
Barron has elite upside and would make an immediate impact in the secondary.
Round 2 (55): Jack Bech, WR, TCU
The Packers land Metcalf and use a second-round pick at wide receiver? If Jack Bech is available, absolutely.
The trade saw Green Bay swap Doubs for Metcalf. It upgrades the offense but doesn't entirely fix the wide receiver issue, especially with Watson likely to miss most of the season before becoming a free agent in 2026.
Bech would give the Packers another rookie contract at wide receiver, and he has star potential.
The TCU product starred throughout Senior Bowl week, something Gutekunst takes note of. Bech believes he would be a great fit for the Packers, and we can't disagree. He has inside/outside versatility, plays with physicality, makes plays for his quarterback, and loves to block. Bech sure sounds like the perfect receiver for a Matt LaFleur offense.
His play would perfectly complement Metcalf in Green Bay.
Round 3 (87): Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The Packers could lose Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Corey Ballentine this offseason. They should, and likely will, draft multiple cornerbacks.
Barron could play wherever Green Bay needs him in the secondary, while Florida's Azareye'h Thomas could lock down one side of the field as an outside corner. We discussed the Quinyon Mitchell comparisons entering Senior Bowl week, and Thomas proved them right a thousand times over.
Thomas would allow Jeff Hafley to dial up more press-man looks. He dominated during the Senior Bowl practices, shutting down some of the best wide receiver prospects in the class while making an impressive one-handed interception.
Quarterbacks were scared to throw his way in college. Per PFF, opponents targeted Thomas just 33 times, and he allowed zero touchdowns.