The Green Bay Packers had a solid 2024 campaign, going 11-6 to earn a second straight trip to the playoffs.
But the fact that they went 0-5 in the regular season against the teams with the top three records in the NFC — the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles — and then went out and got utterly embarrassed in a 22-10 loss to the Eagles in the Wild Card Round proved that the Packers can't yet be considered one of the elite teams in the league.
There's no question that Green Bay is a good team. But to get into that great category, several problems will need to be addressed during the offseason.
The good news for the Packers is that while they've got plenty of players set to hit the open market, most are expendable. They also have a decent amount of salary cap space and should be able to fix some of their troubling areas in free agency.
And if not every issue is resolved there, GM Brian Gutekunst can attempt to fill some holes in the 2025 NFL Draft, which Green Bay will host for the first time ever this April.
One of the main things the Packers need to concern themselves with this offseason is improving the pass rush. And ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. believes they'll attempt to do just that with their first-round selection.
Mel Kiper Jr. has the Packers taking Marshall defensive end Mike Green with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Kiper recently released his first mock draft on ESPN+ (subscription required) and predicts that the Packers will select Marshall defensive end Mike Green with the No. 23 overall pick in the opening round.
Green began his collegiate career at Virginia in 2021 and appeared in six games as a true freshman, recording six total tackles and a sack. But after playing zero games in 2022, the Williamsburg native hit the transfer portal and joined the Thundering Herd in 2023.
In his first year at Marshall, Green, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at roughly 250 pounds, played solidly enough, racking up 43 tackles in 13 games, nine of which went for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. But in 2024, he took things to a completely different level and was virtually unstoppable.
Once again appearing in 13 games, Green led the FBS with 17.0 sacks, setting a new Sun Belt Conference record. He also led the country in sack yardage (144), tackles for loss (22.5), TFL yardage (155), and tackles by a defensive lineman (84).
Here's some of what Kiper had to say on the prospect who could very well be the first Marshall player taken in the first round since 2003 and just the fourth overall.
"He wins with speed-to-power, and he displays good bend and strong hands. Despite tying for eighth in sacks (45), the Packers were 22nd in pressure rate (29.8%) and 26th in pass rush win rate (34.8%). This feels like a good fit."
Green isn't perfect by any stretch and still needs to improve against the run. But his ceiling is high, and one would think defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would be happy to have him.