The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after limping to the finish line of an otherwise promising season in 2024. Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur believe their team is ready to start competing for championships, but the Packers still need to find more early contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.
Can the Packers use the 2025 draft to solidify their status as one of the NFC's top contenders?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at running back:
On the roster
- Josh Jacobs: 27 years old, signed through 2027 season
- Emanuel Wilson: 25 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Chris Brooks: 25 years old, signed through 2025 season
- MarShawn Lloyd: 24 years old, signed through 2027 season
Short-term need
Low. The Packers return their top four running backs from the 2025 season, including Jacobs, a Pro Bowler, and Wilson, who produced over 500 total yards as the primary backup. Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, will get a second shot at a rookie season after never-ending injuries derailed his first year. He is explosive, and the Packers see receiving potential in his game, so a breakout 2025 season behind Jacobs is possible. Brooks was on the field for almost 200 offensive snaps after proving he had versatile value as a runner and blocker. The Packers need to bring more than four running backs to training camp, but the immediate need here is nearing zero.
Long-term need
Low to moderate. Both Wilson and Brooks will be restricted free agents after the 2025 season, and Lloyd is now a considerable question mark after everything he went through during his rookie season. However, Jacobs and Lloyd are under contract for the next three seasons, and Wilson (an undrafted free agent) and Brooks (signed to practice squad last August) prove that capable running backs can be found in a variety of ways,
Chances of drafting position
Low. The Packers invested big money into Jacobs and a top-100 pick into Lloyd last year. With Wilson and Brooks also returning, the Packers would need to a draft pick to beat out both players for a roster spot and be capable of contributing right away behind Jacobs. Is it impossible? No, especially considering how heavily the offense leaned on the run game in 2024, but the Packers are limited in terms of draft capital, and running back is one of the best positions on the roster in terms of top-end talent and depth.
Depth of draft class
Decent. Dane Brugler of the Athletic has 30 running backs with a draftable grade, including 20 he believes will be picked between the third and fifth rounds. The Packers generally like running backs over 200 pounds, with a 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range and a three-cone time in the 7.0-second range. Good luck finding great fits -- they are rare in this class, mostly due to a lack of testing. Fewer and fewer running backs are doing agility drills pre-draft.
Potential options, and last RB drafted
- DJ Giddens, Kansas State
- Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
- Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
- Rahiem Sanders, South Carolina
- Donovan Edwards, Michigan
- Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
- Peny Boone, UCF
- Last RB drafted by Packers: MarShawn Lloyd, USC -- third round, ...
