While the Green Bay Packers made a second straight trip to the NFL Playoffs this past season, it's evident that they're not quite ready to compete for a Super Bowl as they struggled against the elite teams in the NFC in 2024.
Of the six defeats the Packers took in the regular season, five came against the teams that finished with the top three records in the conference, as they were swept by both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings and also took a loss in the season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, Green Bay took a Week 18 loss to the rival Chicago Bears, but that's a tough one to take seriously, as Matt LaFleur was resting several starters with the team's postseason seeding already determined.
The Packers, of course, lost their playoff opener to the Eagles, but that defeat didn't look so bad once Philly waltzed through the NFC side of the bracket and then went on to trample the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
With the disappointing early exit behind them, the Packers must now focus on bolstering the roster enough during the offseason to get themselves to that next level. And they're in prime position to do so.
Already armed with significant cap space, Green Bay will now have even more money to spend after the NFL boosted the 2025 cap figure by more than what was expected.
But while GM Brian Gutekunst will be able to fill some of the holes on the roster in free agency, others will need to be filled during the 2025 NFL Draft. And if NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah sees his prediction come true, the Packers will go in a different direction than what many are expecting.
Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft predicts the Packers to select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons
Heading into the '25 draft, which Green Bay will host for the first time ever, by the way, many believe the Packers' biggest needs are at cornerback, wide receiver, and on the defensive line, both at tackle and on the edge.
In his most recent mock draft, however, Jeremiah has the Packers using their No. 23 overall pick on Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.
"Simmons is coming off a knee injury, but he’s as gifted as any offensive lineman in the class," Jeremiah wrote. "He also has the tools to play multiple spots on the O-line, something Green Bay has always valued."
While not everyone would be pleased with the Packers going O-line with their first-round selection, it's not the worst idea in the world, as it would serve as a means to an end.
As soon-to-be free agent Josh Myers was the 38th-ranked center by PFF this past season, it's likely Green Bay lets him walk. And if that happens, there's a strong chance that right tackle Zach Tom moves to center, as some within the organization reportedly believe he could be a Hall of Famer in the middle of the line.
So, if Tom moves, of course, that opens up a spot at tackle. We actually explored this scenario recently using a different draft prospect, but Simmons would undoubtedly work just as well, if not better.
After spending the first two years of his collegiate career at San Diego State, Simmons joined the Buckeyes ahead of the 2023 season and performed beautifully, allowing just one sack and only 15 pressures.
He was likely on his way to earning an All-American nod in 2024 before a knee injury ended his season in the Buckeyes' loss to Oregon in October, as he'd yet to yield a single sack. But even with appearing in only six games, Simmons still earned a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection. That's how impressive he was.
There's certainly some risk in this route for the Packers in several aspects, what with Simmons' injury and perhaps incorrectly prioritizing the offensive line over other more pressing needs. But the reward could be substantial if that risk pays off.