It's time for the Green Bay Packers to add another wide receiver.
The Packers' offense lacked explosive passing plays without Christian Watson, and he will likely miss significant time next season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 18.
Watson and Romeo Doubs only have one year remaining on their rookie contracts. There's a strong chance at least one of them will depart in 2026, and based on what we know now, is it a guarantee the Packers will re-sign any of them?
Watson's injury history is a concern, while Doubs hasn't taken the step from a reliable receiver to the go-to target. The Packers suspended him for a game this season, so again, can we guarantee the team will re-sign him at the end of his rookie deal?
Green Bay's passing game can't fall apart without one receiver, as it did in the games Watson missed. The team must find a go-to target for Jordan Love while also preparing for potential departures next year. Fortunately, the Packers will have opportunities to add a pass-catcher in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Note: This mock draft was put together using the NFL Mock Draft Database Simulator.
Packers land future star at wide receiver in 2025 three-round mock draft
Round 1 (23): Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Is Jalon Walker an inside linebacker, or is he an edge-rusher? The answer is both. He can play either position at a high level.
Walker could go much earlier than this, but it was an easy choice with the Georgia product still on the board at No. 23.
The Packers need to improve their pass rush this offseason, but they also shouldn't neglect the linebacker position. Edgerrin Cooper is a future star and Quay Walker will remain a starter for at least one more season, but Jeff Hafley's unit needs more talent and depth in the middle of the field.
Hafley loves versatility and being able to move his players around to create mismatches and add confusion for offenses. Walker can provide that while giving the Packers another defender with elite speed, athleticism, and big-play ability.
Walker finished his final season at Georgia with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Whether he's lined up in the middle of the field alongside Cooper and Walker or rushes the passer off the edge, the Georgia star could become an instant difference-maker in this defense. Hafley could move him around and find favorable matchups.
Round 2 (54): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The draft is still three months away, which is more than enough time for Texas' Matthew Golden to become a first-round lock. For now, he remains at least in the conversation to fall to Day 2, and that works for us.
Imagine a wide receiver who can make contested catches like Doubs, stretch defenses vertically like Watson, and separate like Dontayvion Wicks. Golden checks every box.
He has everything the Packers look for. The Texas product meets their strict size thresholds at 6-foot and 195 pounds, and he is likely to test well at the NFL Scouting Combine. Golden also offers tremendous versatility, with experience lining up outside and in the slot.
"Just finished studying Texas WR Matthew Golden. He could easily be the top WR in this draft class," writes NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
He has the speed to hurt defenses deep. According to Ben Fennell of CBS, Golden tied Travis Hunter for the second-most 20-yard receptions in 2024, with 23.
The only concern is that Golden needs to work on his blocking, but he does everything else at a high level. The Packers would add another deep threat to their offense, which they desperately need, and Golden could quickly become a go-to target for Love.
Round 3 (87): Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Jaire Alexander's time in Green Bay is likely nearing an end, and the team could replace him with another Alexander. Along with Jaire potentially departing, Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine are free agents this offseason.
Enter LSU's Zy Alexander.
Alexander will likely test well at the NFL Scouting Combine and is expected to post a strong 40 time. He could replace some of the speed in the secondary the Packers will lose if Stokes leaves in free agency.
He is coming off an outstanding season for LSU. Per Pro Football Focus, Alexander allowed just 43.5 percent of passes to be completed in his coverage, giving up 20 catches for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Quarterbacks earned an awful 53.2 rating when throwing his way.
Alexander could become a solid starting outside corner in Hafley's system and would quickly compete with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine for snaps.