Green Bay Packers 2025 Draft: What to Expect and How the Team Could Benefit

The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2025 NFL Draft, and projections suggest they’ll have eight picks to work with. These picks are vital for the team to continue building depth and making strategic moves. One of the intriguing parts of this year’s draft is how compensatory picks will affect the Packers’ draft capital.

Compensatory Picks and How They Benefit the Packers

According to Nick Korte’s expert projections, the Packers are likely to receive a seventh-round compensatory pick due to the departure of offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers in free agency. The NFL hands out compensatory picks annually to teams who lose unrestricted free agents, coaches, or executives to other franchises. The formula behind these picks takes into account factors like the average annual value of the player’s contract and the number of snaps they played in their previous season.

This year, the Packers lost key contributors, including guard Jon Runyan ($10 million) and safety Darnell Savage ($7.25 million). However, the Packers signed players like safety Xavier McKinney ($17 million) and running back Josh Jacobs ($12 million), which cancels out the compensatory pick eligibility for those two departures. The only qualifying loss for Green Bay is Nijman, who will bring in the seventh-round pick. In addition, the team lost safety Jonathan Owens to the Chicago Bears, but his $1.9 million salary is not enough to qualify for a compensatory pick.

Draft Capital: What the Packers Have to Work With

The Packers are well-positioned with their original picks from rounds one through six. However, they’ve been active in acquiring and trading seventh-round picks in recent years. For example, Green Bay traded their own seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for quarterback Malik Willis, only to receive another seventh-rounder when edge defender Preston Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With these trades and projections in mind, the Packers are expected to head into the 2025 draft with eight total picks. This includes two seventh-round picks, which could prove valuable as the team looks to fill gaps in their roster.

The Value of Seventh-Round Picks: Can the Packers Find Gems?

While seventh-round picks might not always lead to instant impact players, General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s track record suggests that the Packers have found success in this late stage of the draft. Gutekunst has made it a point to accumulate several seventh-round selections, as the contract guarantees for these players tend to be lower than those of priority undrafted free agents. This makes it a cost-effective way for the team to add depth.

In recent years, the Packers have seen success with seventh-round picks, with starting left tackle Rasheed Walker and cornerback Carrington Valentine being notable examples. These players were selected in the seventh round and have since become integral parts of the team.

Looking Ahead: What Could the 2025 Draft Bring?

With eight total picks, including two in the seventh round, the Packers have ample opportunity to make moves and find hidden gems. Whether through compensatory picks or shrewd trades, the team is well-positioned to build on their existing roster. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see what impact this draft class will have, and if Brian Gutekunst can continue his successful strategy of finding talent in unexpected places.

Ultimately, while seventh-round picks might not always garner the same attention as early-round selections, they can provide valuable depth and even turn into key contributors. The Packers’ success in making the most of these picks highlights their commitment to building a well-rounded and competitive team. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Packers will have a chance to continue strengthening their roster and setting themselves up for future success.