All roster needs aren't created equal. Some are long-term focused. Others need more immediate attention.
The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with several positions needing both an influx of talent and numbers for right now. But unlike last year, when the Packers needed rookies to be contributors right away, Matt LaFleur's team is well positioned entering this year's draft. The Packers could realistically play a football game and be highly competitive right now without a single rookie contributing. But the draft is both about adding help for now and addressing long-term needs -- and 2026 and beyond needs help.
First, take a look at this useful graphic from Ken Ingalls, who paints a picture of the roster construction into the future:
If you want a hint of where the Packers may invest in the draft - peek at the 2026 depth chart.
— Ken - Packers Cap (@KenIngalls) April 7, 2025
馃敼2 WRs, 2 in final year
馃敼2 Edge, 1 in final year
馃敼3 DT, 2 in final year, Kenny may be gone
馃敼4 CB, 3 in final year, Jaire on way out
馃敼5 OL, 1 in final year, Jenkins may be gone pic.twitter.com/PNuV7yvqHB
Here are five positions where the Packers must draft a player to help the 2025 team and beyond:
Wide receiver
The Packers are bringing back all their receivers from last season, and the addition of Mecole Hardman added some speed and special teams versatility to the mix. Even with Christian Watson recovering from a major knee injury and the position's disappointing end to 2024, the Packers have a good mix of young talent and experience returning at receiver for 2025.
The need here is mostly long-term focused, even if a rookie could come in and contribute right away at receiver. The Packers have only two receivers under contract for 2026: Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Watson is coming off a major injury, Romeo Doubs had two concussions and a one-game suspension last year, and Wicks dropped way too many passes during a disappointing second season. Reed might be the only sure thing in the group, and even he suffered through a second-half slump last year. The receiver position now needs a draft pick for all the important reasons: competition, immediate impact and long-term stability.
Defensive end
The Packers are banking on a big year from Lukas Van Ness, the 2023 first-round pick. Others, including Rashan Gary and Brenton Cox Jr., could take a big leap in their second year of playing defensive end in Jeff Hafley's system. But the edge rusher group wasn't consistent in 2024, Van Ness remains a big question mark, Kingsley Enagbare is entering a contract year and a team can never have enough quality pass-rushers, especially considering how Hafley and Matt LaFleur want to play defense. The plan last year was to rush four and play a shell coverage behind the front -- but the Packers weren't good enough disrupting the passer. Expect an investment here, not only to charge up the pass-rush for 2025 but also to protect the premium position long term. Only Gary and Van Ness are under contract come 2026.
Defensive tackle
The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency, Kenny Clark is coming off one of his worst professional seasons and will turn 30 in October, and Devonte Wyatt isn't guaranteed to have his fifth-year option picked up, meaning he'd be in a contract year in 2025. And rushing the quarterback isn't ...
