The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here. The Green Bay Packers enter the draft with eight selections as they prepare to host the event for the first time. Here is a look at the Packers short-term and long-term needs on defense at each position heading into the draft.
Short-term needs are for the 2025 season whether they are for starters or for depth at a given position. Long-term needs are designed to add future starters, to add depth and to replace players who may be retiring, becoming free agents or released for cap reasons in the future.
Packers 2025 Draft Needs on Defense, Defensive Line: Short Term Need, Moderate
The Packers need to generate more pass rush from their defensive line. While GM Brian Gutekunst indicated he felt the talent needed was already on the roster, the team could use more help both at tackle and at end in 2025 and beyond.
Gutekunst is hoping the team will perform better in the second year under Jeff Hafley. At end, Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare are the incumbents. The Packers are hoping Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox can contribute more this season after showing flashes last season. Cox finally got to play in the final seven games of the season and showed some promise, making four sacks in seven games. Van Ness played the run well but needs to improve his pass-rushing technique to take advantage of his physical tools.
Kenny Clark remains the veteran glue at defensive tackle. He struggled through a disappointing 2024 after playing through a toe injury. The Packers need him to bounce back. Devonte Wyatt is in his contract year so he has extra incentive to excel this season. Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks provide depth and Brooks gives some pressure as a pass rusher.
Long Term Need: Moderately High
There is uncertainty here long term. Wyatt enters the final year of his contract. Clark’s cap hit goes up to more than $30 million next season, so he’ll need a bounce back season and to restructure his deal to stay beyond 2025.
Enagbare will also be a free agent after this season so the team could use some reinforcements both inside and outside and needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Packers 2025 Draft Needs on Defense, Linebacker: Short Term Need, Moderately Low
The Packers seem set at linebacker for 2025. Quay Walker will be back to start and Edgerrin Cooper returns for his second season after a great rookie campaign. The Packers re-signed Isaiah McDuffie and he will battle last year’s third-round pick, Ty’Ron Hopper, who barely saw the field on defense. Kristian Welch was also re-signed but he’s mostly a special teams player.
Long Term Need: Moderate
Walker will be in the final year of his contract, so the Packers either need to re-sign him or find a replacement by 2026.
If Cooper continues to play well and Hopper takes on a bigger role, the team has a nice combination of speed, athleticism and depth heading as long as Walker comes back, or a replacement is found.
Packers 2025 Draft Needs on Defense, Cornerback: Short Term Need, Moderately High
The Packers need to figure out the future of Jaire Alexander. If he’s back and healthy, he gives the Packers Pro Bowl caliber coverage skills, but the odds are he will not be back as of now. If Jaire departs, Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon would be on the perimeter with free agent addition Nate Hobbs competing with Javon Bullard for playing time in the slot and with the other two on the perimeter.
Kalen King returns to try to provide some depth but more is needed here for 2025 and beyond.
Long Term Need: Moderate
More depth is needed here. We still don’t know whether Valentine is a legit starter or a quality backup. Bullard may be a safety or play the slot. If Alexander leaves, they will be looking for a shutdown corner which is not easy to come by.
Corner is also a premium position, so the team is always looking to add players here.
Packers 2025 Draft Needs on Defense, Safety: Short Term Need, Low
Xavier McKinney stepped in and gave the Packers outstanding play at one safety while rookie Evan Williams played well at the other. Bullard and Kitan Oladapo provide depth.
The Packers may need some more depth here, but they are more or less set with their starters and primary backups barring injury.
Long Term Need: Moderately Low
All of the primary players at safety are signed beyond 2026, so really, depth and special teams contributions are what Gutekunst would look for if he adds a player here. The Packers could add a safety, but it would not be a high priority in this year’s draft.
Packers 2025 Draft Needs on Special Teams: Short Term Need, Low
The Packers re-signed veteran kicker Brandon McManus who solidified the kicking position after six games of struggles. Alex Hale remains in training camp as insurance.
Punter Daniel Whelan did a good job of kicking the ball last season and has been a good holder.
Matt Orzech is the only long snapper on the roster right now. Gute will likely bring in someone to compete for the job as Orzech wasn’t always consistent although he didn’t make any major mistakes. There is little chance the Packers would use a draft pick on a long snapper.
With Mecole Hardman and Nixon on the roster, return specialist is not a major need either.
Long Term Need: N/A
It’s tough to determine long-term needs at special teams as this is a position because there usually is a lot of turnover at the position on a year-by-year basis. Special teams needs are addressed on a more immediate basis.
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