The Green Bay Packers have needs on both sides of the ball entering the 2025 NFL Draft, but they need to support their franchise quarterback. In this week's draft, GM Brian Gutekunst can help Jordan Love's rise to stardom.
Love has shown All-Pro potential in his first two seasons as the Packers' starting quarterback. He must improve his consistency, but the Packers can help him by upgrading his supporting cast. Love's receivers let him down with drops last season, while the usually reliable offensive line struggled to hold up once Elgton Jenkins got hurt in the playoffs.
Add a few pieces, and Love could enjoy a breakout season that launches the Packers into the Super Bowl conversation.
Green Bay signed Aaron Banks to help remedy the pass-protection problem that showed up in the wild-card loss. He will take Jenkins' starting position while the Pro Bowl left guard slides into Josh Myers' vacated spot at center. However, depth remains an issue, which should put the offensive line on the Packers' radar in the opening two days.
The Packers have a talented receiving corps, but with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs facing uncertain futures beyond 2025, it's time to add to the room.
Jordan Love gets everything he needs in Packers four-round mock draft
Round 1 (23): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
It would be a surprising pick, as Maxwell Hairston doesn't meet the Packers' strict size thresholds. At least, he didn't.
The Kentucky product caught attention with a recent social media post that showed he was at 194 pounds, up from his 183-pound combine measurement. That would check the final box because Hairston has everything else the Packers look for.
He ran an incredible 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and starred at the Senior Bowl. With three pick-sixes in his final two seasons at Kentucky, Hairston would fit perfectly in Jeff Hafley's takeaway-searching secondary.
Hairston has been repeatedly connected to the Packers by many top draft insiders.
Round 2 (54): Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
A Utah State wide receiver catching passes from a Utah State quarterback — it's a match made in heaven.
It won't be surprising if Jalen Royals sits near the top of the Packers' board at the wide receiver position. Not because of where he played at college, and not even because Love made it clear he wants to see Royals in Green Bay.
But because he checks every box. Few wide receivers in this class stand out as a perfect Packers fit — Royals is one of them.
In an NFL world where fewer prospects complete every athletic test at the NFL Combine, Royals aced them all. He posted excellent 40-yard dash and three-cone numbers, which the Packers watch closely. He comfortably passes their size and athleticism thresholds while backing it up with the college production they covet. He put up 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons.
Royals can line up across the formation and could become the WR1 Love so desperately needs.
Round 3 (87): Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
A year after selecting Jordan Morgan in the first round, the Packers land his Arizona teammate. The team can't afford a repeat of last season's playoff loss. The offensive line play fell apart once Elgton Jenkins left the game due to injury.
Jonah Savaiinaea replaced Morgan as Arizona's starting left tackle last season, and he has previous experience at right tackle and right guard. Savaiinaea will likely move inside at the NFL level, but the Packers will love his versatility.
Like Morgan, Savaiinaea earned an elite Relative Athletic Score, which boosted his draft stock.
Matt LaFleur would have to figure out Savaiinaea's best position. He has already hinted that Morgan could replace Rasheed Waker at left tackle this season. Savaiinaea could initially compete with Sean Rhyan at right guard, especially as Rhyan only has a year remaining on his contract.
Round 4 (124): Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Oh yes, Love doesn't get one new receiver, but two. Royals checks every box, but there might not be a better Packers fit in this year's class than Tory Horton.
Horton is one of the most underrated receiving prospects in the draft and is a potential Day 3 steal. He posted an elite 9.83 Relative Athletic Score and has starting potential in Matt LaFleur's offense. Horton is outstanding at adding yards after the catch, and he rarely drops balls thrown his way (pay attention, Packers).
The Packers hosted Horton for a pre-draft visit, and for good reason. He could play the Romeo Doubs role in this offense. They played together for Nevada, but Horton could replace his former teammate as a future starter in Green Bay.