The Green Bay Packers” performance during the 2025 NFL Draft has drawn mixed reviews, with initial optimism quickly fading into criticism as the season progressed. Following the draft, Chad Reuter from NFL.com awarded the Packers an A-minus grade, placing them among the top six teams. However, by season”s end, Gennaro Filice from the same outlet downgraded their performance to a D-plus, marking the lowest grade in the draft class.
The draft kicked off with the Packers selecting wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round, a move that elicited a loud cheer from fans at Lambeau Field. Yet, as the season unfolded, Filice noted that this initial excitement seemed to be the peak of Golden”s rookie campaign.
Overall, the Packers drafted eight players, who collectively started only 14 games. In contrast, across the league, 25 rookies started at least that many games, with 11 making all 17 starts. Golden himself participated in 14 games, earning five starts. His most productive stretch came from Week 3 through Week 7, where he caught 16 of 19 targets for 233 yards. However, injuries to his shoulder and wrist, along with the return of teammates Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, limited his playing time and opportunities.
Before the regular season”s conclusion, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich indicated that while Golden had potential, the depth of the receiving corps meant he would not have a leading role as the team approached the playoffs. Still, Golden managed to shine in the playoff matchup against Chicago, recording four catches for 84 yards and scoring his first career touchdown.
Despite the playoff highlight, Golden”s overall regular-season numbers placed him ninth among rookies with 29 receptions and eighth in receiving yards with 361. His catch percentage of 72.5 ranked him third among 20 rookies with at least 20 targets.
Second-round pick Anthony Belton spent most of the season adjusting at tackle but found his footing at right guard, starting the last six regular season games and one playoff game. His development will be closely monitored, especially in comparison to Tate Ratledge from Detroit. Meanwhile, third-round receiver Savion Williams served as the primary kickoff returner but struggled with injuries, finishing the season with limited impact.
The latter portion of the draft proved disappointing as well. The Packers” final four selections included fifth-round defensive end Collin Oliver, who appeared in just one game due to injury, and seventh-round cornerback Micah Robinson, who did not make the roster, later joining the Titans. Another seventh-round pick, offensive lineman John Williams, missed the entire season due to a back injury. Collectively, Green Bay”s Day 3 picks contributed only two starts, while other teams combined for 336 starts from their rookies.
However, the true measure of a draft extends beyond immediate rookie performance. The Packers” 2022 draft class, initially graded as a C-minus, demonstrated significant long-term value, with players like Quay Walker and Christian Watson contributing heavily this season. General manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged the challenge of maintaining a talented roster while also planning for future seasons.
As the Packers reflect on the 2025 draft, the lessons learned may shape their approach in the coming years, with an eye toward balancing immediate needs with long-term potential.
