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GREEN BAY – With the 2025 NFL draft quickly approaching, Green Bay Packers reporter Ryan Wood hosted an AMA on Reddit. Here are highlights of that conversation:
DoodleDeeStrudel:What do you feel is our most likely action? Stay put, move up or move back? Is there a position group we should watch that might help determine our action?
Ryan Wood: I never count out the possibility of Brian Gutekunst making a draft-day trade, since he's made so many and in all areas of the draft, but this feels like a “stay put” year in the first round. The Packers need to take the best edge, interior defensive lineman or receiver available at 23, and there should be plenty of options there without giving up a pick in a trade up. A trade down would seem more likely, but I have a hard time seeing Brian Gutekunst not stand pat on his spot and take a player he likes, what with the pick being announced in his own parking lot. We'll see, but my best guess would be sticking at 23.
SesameSprinkles:Who are some draft prospects that Green Bay wouldn’t necessarily be interested in Round 1, but would be too good to pass up in Round 2 should they fall?
Ryan Wood: I think the biggest potential decision Brian Gutekunst might be in a position to make at No. 23 is if Mike Green, the edge rusher out of Marshall, falls. Green very well could be off the board by 23 but, if he slides, it will be because of off-field concerns after twice facing sexual-assault allegations – once in high school, another time in college. Green denied the allegations at the scouting combine. So it's up to every NFL team to determine how they feel about his off-field character. Only the Packers know right now how they've determined where Green falls on their draft board given the character concerns. In terms of football, Green is the type of traits-y prospect that fits the Packers, a reason he very well might not be available at 23. If he is, that could be a tough decision for Gutekunst to make.
Expert_Habit9520:Last year’s 1st-rounder Jordan Morgan was at least a slight surprise to those of us not “in the know.” Did you have any sources within the organization that hinted to you he had a good chance to be picked? (I am not looking for you to reveal sources, was just curious if anyone hinted at that name specifically, though.)
Ryan Wood: To be sure, the Packers are on full lockdown when it comes to keeping information inside the building this time of year. You just don't see many, if any, leaks coming out of 1265 Lombardi. Not every team in the league operates that way, but the Packers have a long-standing tradition of giving up nothing. When there are rumblings, you have to also consider how credible it is. Brian Gutekunst has openly said in the past he likes to provide disinformation to help throw other NFL teams off his scent. As for Jordan Morgan, no. I did not hear a peep about their interest in him before the selection was announced. Oftentimes, though, players the Packers pick have no idea they're interested until their phone rings on draft night. Just how the Packers have always done business.
Nbyone:With 3 out of our top-6 OL unsigned after next year, how early do you think we go OL?
Ryan Wood: I think the Packers went a long way toward addressing their OL issues when they signed Aaron Banks. Bringing in another starting-caliber lineman gives them six on this roster, considering they're going to want 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan to play. That helps the depth, because someone is going to be on the sideline. As for the business side, Zach Tom presumably is going to be extended at some point this offseason. That's a no-brainer. Rasheed Walker is a much more difficult decision. He's proven to be a starting-caliber left tackle, and those guys get paid. Can Morgan be the left tackle of the future, allowing the Packers a cheaper option on the blindside past this year? I have some doubts, at least until I see him take reps at the position, but it would be a major benefit to the Packers if he could. Important note, though: Morgan is going to have to flat-out beat Walker if the Packers make a change at left tackle. Walker has been too good, and the position is too important, to mess around there.
Pete Dougherty: Do any wide receivers fit the bill as a Packers first-round draft pick?
Nintendonerd256:Throughout your history of covering the draft, what is the hottest/wildest take that you had that turned out correct, and the coldest/safest take you had that turned out wrong?
Ryan Wood: I'll tell you the story of my first draft. It was 2015. The Packers absolutely needed a cornerback in the first round. It was clear as day. I spent an entire month studying every possible cornerback that could be taken. Every single one. Now the Packers are on the clock with the 30th overall pick. The commissioner comes out and announces someone I hadn't spent a minute considering. Damarious Randall. I knew nothing about him because everyone had Randall as a safety. Everyone was right, too. Randall never panned out as a cornerback, but he was better at safety later playing for the Cleveland Browns. For that to be my first experience covering the Packers draft, it taught me to expect anything, be surprised by nothing. Nobody ever really knows what this team is thinking, and often it is thinking outside the box.
RustyShackelford0888:Who would you consider trading up into top 10 for?
Ryan Wood: The one player from this draft who the Packers would absolutely go to sleep dreaming about every night would be Abdul Carter, the edge rusher out of Penn State. They also have similar likelihoods of drafting Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster or the Easter Bunny. Carter will be gone by the top five picks. But, hey, if you could make a wish, that would be the guy.
MrTod21:I personally think Green Bay will either hope Tetairoa (McMillan) falls or make a move trade wise if he doesn’t. What are your thoughts on the chances of Green Bay picking up a wide receiver during Round 1 through either the draft itself or with a trade?
Ryan Wood: I mean, if there was ever any year to draft a receiver in the first round ... But it's also something the Packers never feel they absolutely need to do, believing the quality of Round 2 receivers isn't much different. Historically, they've been proven right. The most asinine stat was always how few first-round receivers Aaron Rodgers threw touchdown passes to in his time here. Yeah, well, he was also throwing touchdown passes to Greg Jennings, Jordan Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. All were first-round talents drafted in the second round. As for the receiver from Arizona, I don't see how the Packers are going to be able to cobble enough assets together for a trade up that high. But there are other prospects (Matthew Golden out of Texas especially seems like a fit) who could test that long-standing drought of no receivers in the first round.
Flooding_Puddle:Who do you think the Packers will pick at 23? Who do you think the Packers should pick at 23?
Ryan Wood: At this point in the pre-draft process, I don't have just one name. Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams make sense. Both edge rushers from the SEC profile as Brian Gutekunst guys. I wouldn't be shocked if the receiver drought ends, even if I'm not really expecting it to either. Matthew Golden out of Texas fits what this Packers offense needs. The one position I wouldn't sleep on in the first round is defensive tackle. Just ask the Eagles how important those are. Could be a cornerback, maybe Will Johnson out of Michigan.
As for what I'd do, I think every need takes a back seat to fixing the pass rush. Even receiver. The Packers simply need to be better getting after the quarterback with their front four, and I think it's too big of a gamble to rely on a new position coach and the same players. That would be my focus early in this draft. We'll find out what Brian Gutekunst thinks shortly.
Make sure you follow along at PackersNews for FULL coverage of the event, not just what the Packers do with their roster, but everything happening around Green Bay, too!
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Reddit AMA highlights on Green Bay Packers in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
DoodleDeeStrudel:What do you feel is our most likely action? Stay put, move up or move back? Is there a position group we should watch that might help determine our action?
Ryan Wood: I never count out the possibility of Brian Gutekunst making a draft-day trade, since he's made so many and in all areas of the draft, but this feels like a “stay put” year in the first round. The Packers need to take the best edge, interior defensive lineman or receiver available at 23, and there should be plenty of options there without giving up a pick in a trade up. A trade down would seem more likely, but I have a hard time seeing Brian Gutekunst not stand pat on his spot and take a player he likes, what with the pick being announced in his own parking lot. We'll see, but my best guess would be sticking at 23.
SesameSprinkles:Who are some draft prospects that Green Bay wouldn’t necessarily be interested in Round 1, but would be too good to pass up in Round 2 should they fall?
Ryan Wood: I think the biggest potential decision Brian Gutekunst might be in a position to make at No. 23 is if Mike Green, the edge rusher out of Marshall, falls. Green very well could be off the board by 23 but, if he slides, it will be because of off-field concerns after twice facing sexual-assault allegations – once in high school, another time in college. Green denied the allegations at the scouting combine. So it's up to every NFL team to determine how they feel about his off-field character. Only the Packers know right now how they've determined where Green falls on their draft board given the character concerns. In terms of football, Green is the type of traits-y prospect that fits the Packers, a reason he very well might not be available at 23. If he is, that could be a tough decision for Gutekunst to make.
Expert_Habit9520:Last year’s 1st-rounder Jordan Morgan was at least a slight surprise to those of us not “in the know.” Did you have any sources within the organization that hinted to you he had a good chance to be picked? (I am not looking for you to reveal sources, was just curious if anyone hinted at that name specifically, though.)
Ryan Wood: To be sure, the Packers are on full lockdown when it comes to keeping information inside the building this time of year. You just don't see many, if any, leaks coming out of 1265 Lombardi. Not every team in the league operates that way, but the Packers have a long-standing tradition of giving up nothing. When there are rumblings, you have to also consider how credible it is. Brian Gutekunst has openly said in the past he likes to provide disinformation to help throw other NFL teams off his scent. As for Jordan Morgan, no. I did not hear a peep about their interest in him before the selection was announced. Oftentimes, though, players the Packers pick have no idea they're interested until their phone rings on draft night. Just how the Packers have always done business.
Nbyone:With 3 out of our top-6 OL unsigned after next year, how early do you think we go OL?
Ryan Wood: I think the Packers went a long way toward addressing their OL issues when they signed Aaron Banks. Bringing in another starting-caliber lineman gives them six on this roster, considering they're going to want 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan to play. That helps the depth, because someone is going to be on the sideline. As for the business side, Zach Tom presumably is going to be extended at some point this offseason. That's a no-brainer. Rasheed Walker is a much more difficult decision. He's proven to be a starting-caliber left tackle, and those guys get paid. Can Morgan be the left tackle of the future, allowing the Packers a cheaper option on the blindside past this year? I have some doubts, at least until I see him take reps at the position, but it would be a major benefit to the Packers if he could. Important note, though: Morgan is going to have to flat-out beat Walker if the Packers make a change at left tackle. Walker has been too good, and the position is too important, to mess around there.
Pete Dougherty: Do any wide receivers fit the bill as a Packers first-round draft pick?
Nintendonerd256:Throughout your history of covering the draft, what is the hottest/wildest take that you had that turned out correct, and the coldest/safest take you had that turned out wrong?
Ryan Wood: I'll tell you the story of my first draft. It was 2015. The Packers absolutely needed a cornerback in the first round. It was clear as day. I spent an entire month studying every possible cornerback that could be taken. Every single one. Now the Packers are on the clock with the 30th overall pick. The commissioner comes out and announces someone I hadn't spent a minute considering. Damarious Randall. I knew nothing about him because everyone had Randall as a safety. Everyone was right, too. Randall never panned out as a cornerback, but he was better at safety later playing for the Cleveland Browns. For that to be my first experience covering the Packers draft, it taught me to expect anything, be surprised by nothing. Nobody ever really knows what this team is thinking, and often it is thinking outside the box.
RustyShackelford0888:Who would you consider trading up into top 10 for?
Ryan Wood: The one player from this draft who the Packers would absolutely go to sleep dreaming about every night would be Abdul Carter, the edge rusher out of Penn State. They also have similar likelihoods of drafting Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster or the Easter Bunny. Carter will be gone by the top five picks. But, hey, if you could make a wish, that would be the guy.
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MrTod21:I personally think Green Bay will either hope Tetairoa (McMillan) falls or make a move trade wise if he doesn’t. What are your thoughts on the chances of Green Bay picking up a wide receiver during Round 1 through either the draft itself or with a trade?
Ryan Wood: I mean, if there was ever any year to draft a receiver in the first round ... But it's also something the Packers never feel they absolutely need to do, believing the quality of Round 2 receivers isn't much different. Historically, they've been proven right. The most asinine stat was always how few first-round receivers Aaron Rodgers threw touchdown passes to in his time here. Yeah, well, he was also throwing touchdown passes to Greg Jennings, Jordan Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. All were first-round talents drafted in the second round. As for the receiver from Arizona, I don't see how the Packers are going to be able to cobble enough assets together for a trade up that high. But there are other prospects (Matthew Golden out of Texas especially seems like a fit) who could test that long-standing drought of no receivers in the first round.
Flooding_Puddle:Who do you think the Packers will pick at 23? Who do you think the Packers should pick at 23?
Ryan Wood: At this point in the pre-draft process, I don't have just one name. Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams make sense. Both edge rushers from the SEC profile as Brian Gutekunst guys. I wouldn't be shocked if the receiver drought ends, even if I'm not really expecting it to either. Matthew Golden out of Texas fits what this Packers offense needs. The one position I wouldn't sleep on in the first round is defensive tackle. Just ask the Eagles how important those are. Could be a cornerback, maybe Will Johnson out of Michigan.
As for what I'd do, I think every need takes a back seat to fixing the pass rush. Even receiver. The Packers simply need to be better getting after the quarterback with their front four, and I think it's too big of a gamble to rely on a new position coach and the same players. That would be my focus early in this draft. We'll find out what Brian Gutekunst thinks shortly.
Make sure you follow along at PackersNews for FULL coverage of the event, not just what the Packers do with their roster, but everything happening around Green Bay, too!
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Reddit AMA highlights on Green Bay Packers in 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
