Brian Gutekunst demanded more urgency from the Green Bay Packers to launch a Super Bowl run, and it begins this offseason.
The Packers have the salary cap flexibility to make almost any move they want in free agency or via trade. Gutekunst can attack positions of need before adding more talent to the roster in April's draft.
ESPN's Rob Demovsky told the Wilde & Tausch show that the Packers could be in the cornerback, defensive line, and wide receiver markets when free agency opens next week. They should also get several opportunities to upgrade those positions in the draft.
Christian Watson's long-term future remains uncertain. He will miss time next season while recovering from a torn ACL before becoming a free agent in 2026. Jaire Alexander is as good as gone, with the Packers reportedly exploring a trade. Alexander's imminent departure increases the urgency to find cornerback help.
In this four-round mock draft, the Packers check both boxes while making a game-changing addition to their pass rush.
Packers address their biggest positions of need in 4-round 2025 NFL mock draft after the NFL Combine
Round 1 (23): Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Packers could have zero chance of landing Shemar Stewart by the time the draft kicks off in Green Bay, especially after his head-turning NFL Combine performance. However, he was available at No. 23 in the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, making it an easy choice.
Whether he falls this far or the Packers trade up, Stewart could become a difference-maker in Jeff Hafley's defense and help fix an inconsistent pass rush.
Stewart only made 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M but eased those concerns with an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl. Many of the best offensive line prospects had no answer for the 6-foot-5, 267-pound pass-rusher. Stewart followed it with a show-stealing day at the NFL Combine, earning a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score.
"Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside," writes Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. "The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted. While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level."
The only question is whether there's any chance of Stewart falling to No. 23.
Round 2 (55): Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Packers fans might worry about a hip injury that ended Benjamin Morrison's 2024 season, but this could go down as the steal of the entire draft. Morrison has top-15-pick talent but could fall due to the injury.
That's just fine for us, as the Packers find their Jaire Alexander replacement.
In 31 games for Notre Dame, Morrison intercepted an impressive nine passes and broke up 18. Per PFF, quarterbacks throwing his way completed just 45.7 percent of passes for 700 yards, four touchdowns, and nine picks for an awful 44.1 passer rating. Morrison can become a star in the NFL.
Round 3 (87): Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi
Mississippi's Tre Harris is the perfect Packers wide receiver.
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Harris meets their size thresholds, and his impressive combine performance earned him an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.02. He can become the consistent, go-to target Jordan Love needs on the boundary.
"Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris is a physical height/weight/speed combination on the perimeter who thrives tracking the football and winning down the field," writes Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team.
Round 4 (124): Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Gutekunst loves to double down at positions of need, and he could do exactly that at wide receiver. Jaylin Noel would perfectly complement Harris in Matt LaFleur's offense.
The Packers would need to go slightly against their typical size thresholds (Noel is 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds), but that's what they did with Jayden Reed (5-foot-11 and 187 pounds) two years ago.
Noel had a phenomenal NFL Combine, highlighted by his 4.39-second 40-yard dash. He would add much-needed speed to the Packers' offense, allowing him to stretch defenses vertically, which they lack without Watson. Noel is one of the best deep threats in this year's class.
"Noel caught 14 of 25 deep targets for 609 yards and four touchdowns," writes PFF's Lauren Gray. "He tied for first in deep catches and led all receivers in deep receiving yards. Noel placed in the top three in yards after the catch (155) and yards after contact (45), also securing six of 10 contested deep targets for 250 yards (second most)."
Add in his 821 kick-return yards at Iowa State, and Noel could be a home-run pick in the fourth round.
Jaire Alexander trade
The Packers likely won't land premium draft capital for Jaire Alexander, but a creative pick swap could help them improve the compensation. In this scenario, Baltimore gives up one of its two fourth-round selections and receives a sixth in return. It's a low-risk move for an All-Pro cornerback.
Green Bay doesn't have to release Alexander, which keeps him out of the NFC while bringing back an early Day 3 pick. It's a win-win deal.
Round 4 (128): Nohl Williams, CB, California
And the Packers use the selection to replace Alexander, with Gutekunst doubling down at cornerback to select California's Nohl Williams.
Williams has starting potential as an outside corner, and his takeaways are impossible to ignore. Over the past three seasons, he has made 12 interceptions and 20 pass defenses, including seven interceptions (one a pick-six) in 2024.
Jeff Hafley is all about forcing turnovers, and Williams would be a game-changer in the same secondary as Xavier McKinney.