Super Bowl LIX is set, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs square off in New Orleans in a little over a week. Once again, the Green Bay Packers fell short of making the Super Bowl.
The Packers dealt with multiple injuries at key positions, ultimately leading to their opening-round loss. It leaves them with several key areas to address in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A couple of notes for this mock draft: 1. Free agency may change some of these needs. 2. There are no trades. 3. The mock was created using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
Packers
Round 1 (23): Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
This one may be as close to a home run as possible for a mock draft. Despite requiring season-ending hip surgery in 2024, Benjamin Morrison would be the perfect fit in Green Bay. He is incredibly versatile, with the ability to play outside or in the slot. The only question is whether he will be available when the Packers pick at 23.
No matter the scouting report you read on Morrison, a few things will jump out. First is his ability to play downhill and get involved in run defense, as pointed out by Bleacher Report's Cory Giddings. Giddings also notes that Morrison could be a Year 1 starter due to his athleticism and versatility in coverage. Morrison can play in multiple schemes.
With questions about Jaire Alexander's future in Green Bay and a glaring lack of depth behind him, Morrison makes a lot of sense if he is available.
Round 2 (54): Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
After addressing the defense on Day 1, the Packers turn their attention to the offense with a receiver who provides Jordy Nelson flashbacks: Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. He is physical, having already proven a willingness to get involved in run blocking. Ayomanor is an incredible route-runner, knowing when to cut or make a double move. He knows when to sit in zone coverage, making himself a big target at 6-foot-2.
Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team notes that Anyomanor still has room to grow, as he ran a limited route tree at Stanford. Make no mistake about it, though: he would be a fantastic fit in Matt LaFleur's offense.
Round 3 (87): Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia
Offensive line depth is always important. You don't often notice the big guys up front until they make a mistake. Such was the case in the Packers' season-ending loss to the Eagles. Josh Myers and Elgton Jenkins went down with injuries, leaving Green Bay wide open in the interior of its line. Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover stepped in, which ended as badly as expected.
Outside of Jordan Morgan, who missed significant time in his rookie campaign, the Packers lack interior line depth.
Enter Tate Ratledge, a three-year starter at Georgia with immediate starting potential.
When watching some of his highlight tapes, it is easy to see how well he passes a simple eye test, regardless of the play call. He can get out to a linebacker on a run play and has great initial contact at the line of scrimmage. Green Bay needs to make the call if he is available in Round 3.
Round 4 (122): Ty Hamilton, DL Ohio State
Kenny Clark had a down season in 2024, T.J. Slaton is a free agent, and Devonte Wyatt is entering the final year of his rookie deal (unless the Packers pick up his fifth-year option). That leaves some monster holes up front.
Coming off the National Championship at Ohio State, Ty Hamilton would be a good get in Round 4. Checking in at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, Hamilton has smashed through many blocks with an incredible bull-rush ability. He is explosive off the snap and anchors at the line. He proved to be a solid rotation piece during the Buckeyes' playoff run, combining for 11 tackles and a sack en route to the National Championship.
Round 5 (159): Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
Linebacker was a concern for the Packers, as Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper missed time due to injury. When you get to Round 5, sometimes quantity can be the biggest asset. Smael Mondon has been a good cover linebacker with tight ends and running backs and can fly downhill, much like Walker and Cooper do in blitz schemes.
When you get to this point in the draft, many scouting reports start explaining why they are further down the board instead of why a team should draft them. For Mondon, it is availability concerns, having missed four games in 2024 and two in 2022. Still, Walker is entering a contract year, and Mondon can be an upgrade over Eric Wilson or Isaiah McDuffie.
Round 6 (200): Nohl Williams, CB, California
It is a wonder that Nohl Williams fell to Round 6 in this mock, but once again, given the Packers' lack of depth, it was a must-get. Williams was a first-team All-ACC and an All-American and has thrived as a man coverage corner. In 2024, Williams had seven interceptions, eight passes defended, and 52 tackles (33 solo).
Round 7 (238): Simeon Barrow Jr., DL, Miami
Simeon Barrow Jr. is an incredibly athletic defensive lineman who caused all sorts of havoc at Michigan State and then Miami. The Packers need to address the defensive line, as mentioned above. Barrow could be a great late-round pick who has gotten after the quarterback in both stops. This last season, Barrow recorded 5.5 sacks and 30 tackles and forced a fumble for the Hurricanes.
Despite the 5.5 sacks, scouting reports say he struggles in obvious passing situations at times. While Barrow may not have the upside as some others, he can come in and provide depth, and sometimes that is all you need.
Round 7 (250): Jah Joyner, Edge, Minnesota
The Packers need to intensify their pass rush for the secondary to play to the scheme's strengths. While the draft board may not have necessarily fallen that way for the Packers in this mock draft, some big needs were addressed. That said, Green Bay gets a good pass-rusher here late. Jah Joyner was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in each of the last two seasons.
Joyner recorded 4.5 sacks and 32 tackles while deflecting seven passes and forcing two fumbles as a senior for the Golden Gophers. He has the size but can struggle against the run. Still, he took a massive step forward in that category in 2024, showing that he is trending toward improving his stock. With the athletic ability and the tutelage of Jeff Hafley, Joyner could provide a massive spark to the Packers' pass rush.