Like all NFL teams, the Green Bay Packers are going through pre-draft interviews right now, speaking to players they want more information about and may be considering selecting in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here is a look at the players they’ve spoken to so far who have or are near first-round grades and what it tells us about Brian Gutekunst’s thought process before this draft. Here is what we can learn from the Packers pre-draft visits so far.
What We Can Learn from the Packers Pre-Draft Visits So Far: The Most Frequent Position, Edge
The Packers have enjoyed pre-draft visits with three highly rated edge rushers. They include Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M. The Packers may need to trade up to select Stewart, who has great natural tools but remains a raw prospect. Many experts have actually compared him to Rashan Gary who needed time before he could start.
Georgia’s Mykel Williams has also met with the Pack. He lacks the elite athleticism the Packers look for and is also considered raw by most scouts. He also suffered an ankle injury which may give some teams pause before drafting him early in the first round. Williams does have upside and plays the run well.
The third edge rusher the Packers visited is James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee. Pearce weighs just 243 pounds, which is smaller than the Packers typically prefer for edge rushers. That makes him a liability against the run. He makes up for his lack of bulk with excellent speed and burst and fine technique. Pearce will be a sure-fire first round pick who may not be on the board at 23 when the Packers make their first selection.
Clearly the Packers have interest in an edge rusher which is good because to get an elite pass rusher, you usually need to take one in the first round of the draft.
Second Position: Wide Receiver
The Packers already met with two possible first-round wide receivers. While the Pack hasn’t selected a wideout in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002, Gutekunst indicated the team would not be averse to using a first-round pick at this position.
Matthew Golden of Texas enjoyed a pre-draft visit with Green Bay. He has the versatility the Packers like and can play on the perimeter or in the slot. He can also serve as a return specialist. Golden needs to work on his route running a bit, but he is a bona fide first-round talent who could give the Packers a go-to receiver.
Emeka Egbuka may be a great fit as a Packers wide receiver prospect. The Ohio State alum reminds some scouts of Jaxon Smith-Njigba who the Packers were linked to last season. He runs precise pass patterns and can get deep with his speed. Many scouts believe he can make an immediate impact in the NFL, although he’s been more of a number two receivers at Ohio State than a number one receiver.
What We Can Learn from the Packers Pre-Draft Visits So Far: Other Visits
The Packers also visited with one offensive lineman and one cornerback with first or second round grades.
Offensive tackle Josh Simmons met with the Packers. The 6’5”, 310-pound Ohio State product missed time last season due to a knee injury. Physically, he has all the tools you look for and can handle both speed rushers and bull rushers. He also possesses the versatility the Packers prefer and can also play guard. Before the injury, scouts regarded him as a top 15 talent, but will he fall to 23 when the Packers are set to make their first pick?
Cornerback Shavon Revel, Jr., has also met with the Packers. Most scouts view the East Carolina product as a second or third round pick. He stands 6’2” and runs a 4.37 40 and plays a physical style. Revel has the tools but there are concerns as well. He is coming off an ACL injury and needs time to develop his technique in both zone and man coverage. If he checks out medically, Revel could be selected earlier in the draft.
These are the early round players the Packers have held meetings with so far. At the very least, it gives us an idea of the positions the team is emphasizing and the type of players they seek at those positions.
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