Unpacking Future Packers: No. 73, Georgia G Dylan Fairchild
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
A team can never have enough talented offensive linemen and Brian Gutekunst has done an exceptional job of continuously investing in the group up front for the Green Bay Packers.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, he used his first-round pick and a pair of Day 3 picks on offensive linemen to bolster the depth of an already solid group.
It's a safe bet that Green Bay's general manager will again invest a pick or two on the offensive line during the 2025 draft to continue building up the Great Wall of Lambeau.
A player that Gutekunst could target in the upcoming draft is Dylan Fairchild. The Georgia guard checks in at No. 73 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit out of Georgia, Fairchild finished his career as a Bulldog with 24 career starts to his name.
'Fairchild was a guy with big expectations coming into Georgia, as a former four-star recruit, and he delivered,' Jack Reuse, an analyst for DawgsHQ.com, said. 'With 24 career starts under his belt, he was a reliable asset for the offensive front and brought a toughness to the field.'
Fairchild stays balanced on his feet and has excellent reaction quickness. He anchors against power in his pass sets and has adequate lateral athleticism. A former state champion in wrestling, Fairchild plays with outstanding pad level. According to Pro Football Focus, Fairchild gave up one sack and nine pressures this past season.
'Fairchild has a decorated past in wrestling, so he understands leverage as well as anyone out there,' Reuse said. 'Pair that with ample power and size, and it's no surprise he was effective in the pass-blocking game.'
The Georgia guard is a bully. Fairchild is a powerful run blocker who overwhelmed defenders at the point of contact with his brute strength. He explodes out of his stance and has the easy athleticism to climb to the second level and eliminate linebackers.
'While Georgia struggled to run the ball effectively this season, it's tough to pin that on just one guy,' Reuse said. 'It was a collectively rough effort in that regard. Still, in what felt like a MASH unit at times, Fairchild was available consistently and offered nastiness on the field.'
Fairchild figures to be one of the top testers among interior offensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was No. 43 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List this summer. From Feldman:
'A former two-time Georgia state heavyweight wrestling champ who went 67-0 with 67 pins in his junior and senior years of high school, Fairchild bench pressed 440 pounds, squatted, 570 and power cleaned 370 this offseason. The 6-5, 315-pound fourth-year junior has a 26-inch vertical and broad-jumped 9-2.'
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay's lack of interior depth reared its ugly head during the Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Jordan Morgan already on injured reserve, the Packers had to turn to Travis Glover after starting left guard Elgton Jenkins left the game with an injury. After the rookie flamed out, the Packers turned to Kadeem Telfort, who didn't fare any better than Glover.
With Josh Myers set to hit free agency, the Packers could slide Jenkins over to center and plug Morgan in at left guard. Regardless of what happens with Myers, Gutekunst will likely invest a pick or two into the interior of the offensive line.
Fairchild is as strong as a bull and good range as a run blocker. With his experience playing both guard spots he would provide quality depth along the interior with the possibility of taking over at right guard if the Packers are unable to lock Sean Rhyan up to a long-term deal.
'Fairchild is a guy who's going to offer some high-level skill in a very usable frame,' Reuse said. 'That wrestling background, plus his durability, are also highly desirable traits. He's a head-down, go-to-work kind of guy, and it won't shock me to see him quietly put together a long career in the league.'
A year ago, Gutekunst used the first-round pick and a pair of Day 3 picks on the offensive line. With Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Rhyan all entering contract years, and Myers set to hit the open market this offseason, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst use multiple picks on offensive linemen in the 2025 draft.
Fairchild has the frame, strength and athleticism to develop into a solid starting guard in the NFL. The Georgia guard would provide quality depth along the interior as a rookie and could challenge for a starting role in 2026.
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