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 offense at each position heading into the draft. Future articles will examine defense and special teams.
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 Draft Needs on Offense Quarterbacks: Short Term Need, Low
Jordan Love will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2025. It will be his third season as the team’s starter. Love had another solid season but failed to build on his strong finish to the 2023 campaign when he played like one of the best signal callers in the NFL.
Injuries contributed to Love’s lack of progress. The Packers hope he can stay healthy this season. He needs to improve his accuracy on deep balls and his footwork. He also needs to figure out the sweet spot between playing it safe and taking too many chances by throwing downfield.
Malik Willis serves as the backup. He enters the final year of his contract. The Pack wouldn’t have made the playoffs without Willis’ strong play in the two games he started and one he came off the bench to lead the team to a late win.
Long Term Need: Moderate
The Packers don’t have a great need at quarterback, but GM Brian Gutekunst indicated the team will return to Ron Wolf’s strategy of taking a flier on a developmental quarterback in the late rounds of the draft. That could mean the team takes a quarterback on day three. If Willis leaves after 2025, having a developmental quarterback on the roster or the practice squad will be a positive.
Packers Draft Needs on Offense, Running Backs: Short Term Need, Low
Josh Jacobs had a great first year in Green Bay and continues to be one of the league’s elite running backs. He has a knack for making defenders miss when running between the tackles. His durability was a big help to the Packers who became a run-first team because of Jacobs’ strong play.
Emanuel Wilson gained more than 500 yards as the number two back. He provides the team with a steady presence and good burst. Chris Brooks was the number three back. Brooks was the team’s best pass protector among running backs, which helped keep him on the field. He will be fighting for a roster spot this season.
The Packers are eager to see what MarShawn Lloyd can do in 2025. He played just one game and ran the ball six times as a rookie before injuries shelved him for the remainder of the season. Lloyd has great speed and will provide a sharp contrast to Jacobs’ inside running.
Long Term Need: Moderately Low
The Packers don’t have any immediate needs at running back and long-term, this isn’t a big need if everyone stays healthy. The team could always take a flier on a late round back, but the need isn’t urgent.
Packers Draft Needs on Offense, Wide Receiver: Short Term Need, High
The Packers young receiving corps failed to take a significant step forward last season. They finished third in the league in dropped passes as a team. The Packers need some of these younger players to step up and improve their play this season.
We already know Christian Watson will miss the first half of the season as he rehabs from knee surgery. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed should see major roles this year. Dontayvion Wicks has raw talent but needs to be more consistent and cut down on drops.
Bo Melton and Malik Heath provide depth, but the team still lacks a true number one wideout.
Long Term Need: High
Watson and Doubs enter the final year of their entry-level deals and may not earn a new contract. The 2026 season will be the final contract year for Reed and Wicks. If a number one receiver doesn’t emerge from this group or isn’t added in this year’s draft, the need at receiver will be even bigger next offseason.
Packers Draft Needs on Offense, Tight End: Short Term Need, Low
Both Gutekunst selected Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft on day two of the 2023 draft and both contributed to the offense. Kraft has become a strong part of the offense. His biggest strength remains running after the catch. Musgrave can stretch the field but has struggled to stay healthy in his first two NFL seasons. Matt LaFleur would love to have both of his top two tight ends healthy and available at the same time this season.
Ben Sims was the third tight end and did a solid job in the role. Messiah Swinson returns after spending last season on the practice squad.
Long Term Need: Moderately Low
Both Kraft and Musgrave are under contract through the end of the 2026 season. The Packers could always add a player here, but it is not a priority.
Packers Draft Needs on Offense, Offensive Line: Short Term Need Moderate
The Packers have six players battling for five starting spots. Rasheed Walker is the incumbent left tackle but he will be challenged by 2024 first round pick, Jordan Morgan. Free agent addition Aaron Banks will start at left guard with Elgton Jenkins moving to center. Sean Rhyan looks to keep the right guard spot but will also be challenged by Morgan if he doesn’t win the left tackle battle. Zach Tom remains the team’s best offensive lineman and returns to start at right tackle.
Depth continues to be a question. Kadeem Telfort, Travis Glover, and Jacob Monk return but are unproven.
Long Term Need: High
As of now, Rhyan, Walker, and Tom are all entering the final year of their contracts. It’s unlikely the Packers will sign all three to second contracts. The Packers will look to add players on day three of the draft for sure to develop into potential starters down the road.
This unit was remarkably healthy last season. If injuries strike, the lack of depth could become an issue this year and beyond.
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