The Green Bay Packers had a relatively quiet draft.
The Packers’ eight picks were their fewest in Brian Gutekunst’s eight years as general manager. Green Bay didn’t make a trade. And while the Packers believe they’ve improved their roster, there were no big splashes along the way.
Now the question becomes who will play in 2025? Who will sit? And who might not even make the roster?
Here, I rank the draft picks in order of who’s likely to contribute the most — and the least — this season.
1. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden, the 23rd overall pick in the draft, became the first wide receiver Green Bay took in the first round since 2002. And Golden’s presence should dramatically upgrade a receiver group that was a colossal disappointment in 2024.
Golden ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at this year’s NFL Combine, fastest among all the wideouts. While Golden is just 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, speed certainly kills. And the Packers suddenly have a burner that they desperately needed in their wide receiver room.
The best guess is Golden will line up with the No. 1 offense on Day 1 of training camp as Green Bay finds every way possible to make him an integral part of the offense in 2025.
“Any time a guy is breaking sub 4.3s, you know he’s legitimately fast,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Golden. “I think what’s so attractive about a guy like Golden is not only is he fast, but he’s got, I’d say elite hands. He can run through a football.”
2. Savion Williams, WR, TCU
First off, Williams remains remarkably raw.
Williams, Green Bay’s third round draft pick, dropped 11.8% of the passes thrown his way at TCU. He also has miles to go with his route running.
But Williams is nearly 6-foot-4, 222 pounds and has a wing span of almost 81 inches. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at the draft and has played wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and wherever else needed.
Williams has rare physical gifts, and now it will be up to Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur into taking advantage of that unique skill set.
“Whatever my team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do,” Williams said. “If coach tells me to get on tight end, I’m going to play tight end. Get on the line, I’m going to play lineman. Whatever I need to do I’m going to do.”
MORE FOR YOU
NYT Crossword Puzzle Clues And Answers For Sunday, May 4
BTS Leader RM Hits No. 1
Canelo Alvarez Vs. William Scull Results & Full Fight Card Results
3. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas
Sorrell, who was still in Green Bay when he was drafted in the fourth round, was one of the stories of draft weekend. Now, he’ll try to make his on-the-field story just as exciting.
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
Email address
Sign Up
By signing up, you agree to receive this newsletter, other updates about Forbes and its affiliates’ offerings, our Terms of Service (including resolving disputes on an individual basis via arbitration), and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Packers needed defensive end help and hope the 6-foot-3, 256-pound Sorrell can provide some.
Sorrell had 15.5 sacks during his four years with the Longhorns. He also had 20.5 tackles for loss and 132 total tackles.
Sorrell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, has a 34-inch vertical and did 28 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
“I’m a winner and I’m a competitor,” Sorrell said. “I’ve shown that in my time at Texas, just developing, and I feel like that’s the most important thing about a football player. I could say specifically and go on and on about the skills and all this and all that, but I’d rather just show you,
4. Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State
Green Bay’s offensive line — a major strength last year — is in terrific shape once again.
Left guard Aaron Banks, center Elgton Jenkins and right tackle Zach Tom are virtual locks to start. Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan will battle it out at left tackle. Sean Rhyan is the likely starter at right guard, but could be pushed by Morgan if he can’t beat out Walker.
So unless the mammoth Belton (6-6, 335) has a memorable training camp, he might not see the field much until 2026.
“I just want to be a sponge, continue to learn, but also be the best version of myself when it comes, if it’s on the field, off the field, making sure I’m in the playbook,” Belton said. “I feel like all that kind of lines up to allow me to be able to come in, compete and be able to get reps with all the guys.”
5. Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia
Brinson made just eight starts during his five years at Georgia. But Brinson (6-5, 315) could be the space-eating defensive tackle the Packers lost when free agent T.J. Slaton signed with Cincinnati.
Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst also believes Brinson has enough inside quickness to be a factor as a pass rusher.
“Honestly, I think I’m a very good pass rusher but I can’t just be too cocky about it,” Brinson said. “I’ve got to work hard, I’ve got to ask Kenny (Clark) some stuff, just learn from the guys around me, get into practice, and just hear what they have to tell me. I’m trying to be a sponge and soak in all the information and just find out the nuances of the NFL that I need to know to be elite and be ahead of other people.”
6. Collin Oliver, DE/LB, Oklahoma State
Finding where Oliver fits best will be a challenge for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Oliver is a natural edge rusher, but is also just 6-foot-2, 240 pounds. His speed (4.56) is a huge positive, but can he turn the corner on massive offensive tackles?
The Packers could also give Oliver a look as a stand-up linebacker, but he’d be a developmental player in that role. Oliver played just two games in 2024 due to a foot injury, so he’ll need to shake the rust off through the offseason and training camp.
The best guess is Oliver will be one of Green Bay’s better special teams players in 2025, but makes little impact from scrimmage.
“I’m here to play ball and do whatever the coaches ask of me,” Oliver said. “That’s the only reason I’m here and that’s what I’m going to do while I’m here. Wherever they see me I’m going to play that position. I don’t really care what it is. It don’t know what it is, but it’s going to be a position and I’m going to play it to the best of my abilities.”
7. Micah Robinson, CB, Tulane
Robinson could be a surprise contributor as the Packers have just three proven corners right now — Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine.
Robinson, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, is undersized (6-0, 184). But the fourth cornerback job could come down to Robinson and 2024 seventh round draft pick Kalen King.
“I want to show them I can play any position, whether that’s nickel or corner,” Robinson said. “I want to play special teams. Kind of with my skill set, I want to show them they can put me anywhere on the field, and also be a low-maintenance guy. Whenever they need me, just go out there and do what I have to do.”
8. John Williams, OL, Cincinnati
First, Williams has to make the team. Then — much like Belton — earning playing time won’t be easy with offensive line being one of the Packers’ top positional groups.
So Williams — a college left tackle who projects to guard — might wind up using 2025 as a redshirt year, with hopes of earning playing time in 2026.
“In games I only played left tackle, but I practiced at all five (positions) at some point in college,” Williams said. “That was a big talking point for me. So now they’re putting it to the test and I think I can do pretty well. So, we’ll see.”
1. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden, the 23rd overall pick in the draft, became the first wide receiver Green Bay took in the first round since 2002. And Golden’s presence should dramatically upgrade a receiver group that was a colossal disappointment in 2024.
Golden ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at this year’s NFL Combine, fastest among all the wideouts. While Golden is just 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, speed certainly kills. And the Packers suddenly have a burner that they desperately needed in their wide receiver room.
The best guess is Golden will line up with the No. 1 offense on Day 1 of training camp as Green Bay finds every way possible to make him an integral part of the offense in 2025.
“Any time a guy is breaking sub 4.3s, you know he’s legitimately fast,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Golden. “I think what’s so attractive about a guy like Golden is not only is he fast, but he’s got, I’d say elite hands. He can run through a football.”
2. Savion Williams, WR, TCU
First off, Williams remains remarkably raw.
Williams, Green Bay’s third round draft pick, dropped 11.8% of the passes thrown his way at TCU. He also has miles to go with his route running.
But Williams is nearly 6-foot-4, 222 pounds and has a wing span of almost 81 inches. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at the draft and has played wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and wherever else needed.
Williams has rare physical gifts, and now it will be up to Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur into taking advantage of that unique skill set.
“Whatever my team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do,” Williams said. “If coach tells me to get on tight end, I’m going to play tight end. Get on the line, I’m going to play lineman. Whatever I need to do I’m going to do.”
MORE FOR YOU
NYT Crossword Puzzle Clues And Answers For Sunday, May 4
BTS Leader RM Hits No. 1
Canelo Alvarez Vs. William Scull Results & Full Fight Card Results
3. Barryn Sorrell, DE, Texas
Sorrell, who was still in Green Bay when he was drafted in the fourth round, was one of the stories of draft weekend. Now, he’ll try to make his on-the-field story just as exciting.
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
Email address
Sign Up
By signing up, you agree to receive this newsletter, other updates about Forbes and its affiliates’ offerings, our Terms of Service (including resolving disputes on an individual basis via arbitration), and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Packers needed defensive end help and hope the 6-foot-3, 256-pound Sorrell can provide some.
Sorrell had 15.5 sacks during his four years with the Longhorns. He also had 20.5 tackles for loss and 132 total tackles.
Sorrell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, has a 34-inch vertical and did 28 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
“I’m a winner and I’m a competitor,” Sorrell said. “I’ve shown that in my time at Texas, just developing, and I feel like that’s the most important thing about a football player. I could say specifically and go on and on about the skills and all this and all that, but I’d rather just show you,
4. Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State
Green Bay’s offensive line — a major strength last year — is in terrific shape once again.
Left guard Aaron Banks, center Elgton Jenkins and right tackle Zach Tom are virtual locks to start. Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan will battle it out at left tackle. Sean Rhyan is the likely starter at right guard, but could be pushed by Morgan if he can’t beat out Walker.
So unless the mammoth Belton (6-6, 335) has a memorable training camp, he might not see the field much until 2026.
“I just want to be a sponge, continue to learn, but also be the best version of myself when it comes, if it’s on the field, off the field, making sure I’m in the playbook,” Belton said. “I feel like all that kind of lines up to allow me to be able to come in, compete and be able to get reps with all the guys.”
5. Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia
Brinson made just eight starts during his five years at Georgia. But Brinson (6-5, 315) could be the space-eating defensive tackle the Packers lost when free agent T.J. Slaton signed with Cincinnati.
Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst also believes Brinson has enough inside quickness to be a factor as a pass rusher.
“Honestly, I think I’m a very good pass rusher but I can’t just be too cocky about it,” Brinson said. “I’ve got to work hard, I’ve got to ask Kenny (Clark) some stuff, just learn from the guys around me, get into practice, and just hear what they have to tell me. I’m trying to be a sponge and soak in all the information and just find out the nuances of the NFL that I need to know to be elite and be ahead of other people.”
6. Collin Oliver, DE/LB, Oklahoma State
Finding where Oliver fits best will be a challenge for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Oliver is a natural edge rusher, but is also just 6-foot-2, 240 pounds. His speed (4.56) is a huge positive, but can he turn the corner on massive offensive tackles?
The Packers could also give Oliver a look as a stand-up linebacker, but he’d be a developmental player in that role. Oliver played just two games in 2024 due to a foot injury, so he’ll need to shake the rust off through the offseason and training camp.
The best guess is Oliver will be one of Green Bay’s better special teams players in 2025, but makes little impact from scrimmage.
“I’m here to play ball and do whatever the coaches ask of me,” Oliver said. “That’s the only reason I’m here and that’s what I’m going to do while I’m here. Wherever they see me I’m going to play that position. I don’t really care what it is. It don’t know what it is, but it’s going to be a position and I’m going to play it to the best of my abilities.”
7. Micah Robinson, CB, Tulane
Robinson could be a surprise contributor as the Packers have just three proven corners right now — Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine.
Robinson, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, is undersized (6-0, 184). But the fourth cornerback job could come down to Robinson and 2024 seventh round draft pick Kalen King.
“I want to show them I can play any position, whether that’s nickel or corner,” Robinson said. “I want to play special teams. Kind of with my skill set, I want to show them they can put me anywhere on the field, and also be a low-maintenance guy. Whenever they need me, just go out there and do what I have to do.”
8. John Williams, OL, Cincinnati
First, Williams has to make the team. Then — much like Belton — earning playing time won’t be easy with offensive line being one of the Packers’ top positional groups.
So Williams — a college left tackle who projects to guard — might wind up using 2025 as a redshirt year, with hopes of earning playing time in 2026.
“In games I only played left tackle, but I practiced at all five (positions) at some point in college,” Williams said. “That was a big talking point for me. So now they’re putting it to the test.
