Three-round mock draft shows a likely path, but the Packers need to change their normal approach

The Green Bay Packers like to draft defensive players early, and that's how the team has usually done since general manager Brian Gutekunst took over in 2018. Last week, eight of our NFL Draft contributors here at A to Z Sports put together our fourth collaborative 2025 NFL Mock Draft of the year, and AJ […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) catches a pass in front of Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kyan McDonald (38) during the second half at AT&T Stadium.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers like to draft defensive players early, and that's how the team has usually done since general manager Brian Gutekunst took over in 2018. Last week, eight of our NFL Draft contributors here at A to Z Sports put together our fourth collaborative 2025 NFL Mock Draft of the year, and AJ Schulte made some intriguing picks for the Packers.

Check them out.

20. Green Bay Packers: Mike Green, EDGE Marshall

When you play defense like the Packers ideally want to do with plenty of single-high coverages, you need pass rushers who win quickly at the line of scrimmage. The Packers haven't really had those kinds of players up front this season, forcing them to shift their entire approach. Mike Green is an explosive and bendy pass rusher that gives the Packers what they need.

52. Green Bay Packers: Azareye'h Thomas, CB Florida State

If you've watched the Packers this year, you've seen their secondary get exposed just a little too often. With Jaire Alexander's recent injury bug as well, the Packers have to continue replenishing the talent in their cornerback room.

84. Green Bay Packers: Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa State

The Green Bay Packers need to find a solution at WR1 and so far, none of the players on the roster have made the strides necessary to be that solution. To make matters worse, Christian Watson tore his ACL and might miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. Jayden Higgins gives the Packers that outside height/weight/speed playmaker they need.

What's ahead

Based on how the 2024 season looked, and how it finished in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, it's evident that the Packers lack offensive talent.

Jayden Higgins could be a strong addition, but it certainly feels like the prioritization of defense early in drafts has been costly. Now, the offense has a high floor because of Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love, but the ceiling is low because the wide receiver talent is limited.

Running back Josh Jacobs was proven to be a great addition, and tight end Tucker Kraft made a big jump in Year 2. If 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan gets healthy and the Packers are able to add real blue-chip talent to the wide receiver room, the offense can finally make a big jump.

Sure enough, the defense needs some pieces—cornerback and edge defender are obvious points of attention. However, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley proved that he can scheme a solid defense with less talent when injuries started to pile up.

For years, the idea was that the Packers could make up for talent deficiencies on offense because of scheme. Now, it's time to invert that logic. Jordan Love will thank them for that change.

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