Green Bay Packers 2025 second-round pick: OL Anthony Belton

USA Today

28-04-2025

Green Bay Packers 2025 second-round pick: OL Anthony Belton
The Green Bay Packers selected North Carolina State offensive tackle Anthony Belton in the second round (No. 54 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft.
Profile
Height: 6-6
Weight: 336
Age: 24
From: Tallahassee, FL
College profile
Breakdown: Massive (6-6, 336) and experienced (32 starts at left tackle) offensive lineman who could have four-position versatility at the next level. The Packers think he's nimble and athletic enough to play tackle and big and powerful enough to play guard inside. Allowed only 12 pressures during a terrific final season at NC State. Committed 24 penalties over final three seasons -- eight each season. Potential for versatility but played 99 percent of collegiate snaps at left tackle. PFF grades as a pass-blocker were consistently good. Had three penalties while battling first-round pick James Pearce Jr. in 2024. Was ejected from a game for spitting on a player in 2024. Proved movement ability on the edges to Packers at the Senior Bowl. Already 24 after spending six years at the college level.
Scouting reports
Dane Brugler's scouting report: 'A three-year starter at NC State, Belton lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Robert Anae's zone-blocking scheme. After two years at Georgia Military College (where he was teammates with YaYa Diaby), he transferred to the Wolfpack and entrenched himself as the starting left tackle the past three seasons. Because of his size, you don't need to know his jersey number to spot him on film — he received the nickname "Escalade" inside the NC State program, because of the way he can move (at his best on inside zone runs). He can get in the way as a blocker and control rushers, if his hands are right (big "if"). Overall, Belton uses his size and length to keep the game on his terms, staying centered and forcing defenders to try to go through him. When he is unable to do that, his body control and footwork break down quickly, which needs to be further addressed by NFL coaching. With improved consistency, he has the tools to get on the field and contribute."
Lance Zierlein's scouting report: "Belton is an enormous tackle with good power and long arms. He can bulldoze the roads clean for running backs but needs to play with better hand placement to sustain his early lead. Belton has the length to shove rushers up and around the pocket but his punch timing is inconsistent and he lacks the body control to consistently respond to inside counters. If a team can steady his feet and improve his hand placement, he could become a solid starter at right tackle, but he will need some help from time to time."
Brandon Thorn's scouting report: "Anthony Belton is a three-year starter at left tackle inside N.C. State's balanced, zone-based run scheme with counter mixed in. Belton has a thick, wide-bodied build with good arm length, heavy hands and solid athletic ability. Belton wins as a run blocker using his big body, long arms and heavy hands to cover up targets on angle-drive blocks with the power to displace and create rush lanes. He dents defensive tackles on double-team feeds and has flashes of very good burst to cut off the backside and intersect targets on screens. While Belton's raw athletic ability and power are impressive, it is clouded with raw, clunky footwork and high pad level that oftentimes leave him late, leaning and overextended against slippery defenders and moves across his face. In pass protection, Belton wins using his size, length, and knockback power to stun and engulf rushers that use power and attempt to go down the middle of him while flashing the ability to keep high-side rushers at his fingertips and widen the corner. Belton is also a force when uncovered and can cave in adjacent rushers to clear the pocket. He is inconsistent with speed moves due to shaky footwork and an overreliance on two-hand striking, which leaves him beat clean against adept counter moves. Overall, Belton has starter-level size, natural power and enough athletic ability to warrant being drafted, but sloppy technique and shaky recovery skills make him a high-variance dart throw worth a shot for a high-end, veteran line room and coaching staff.
They said it: "Oh, absolutely he can play guard. One, the size, the girth, and his ability to move people. When he gets on you, he can get thick on you in a hurry and kind of road grade you out of the way. I think the ability to play against big people inside and hold up in the pass game, versus power, you're not going to see him in the quarterback's lap too often. He can do those things. I think he's got all the athleticism and length to play on the edge, or outside at tackle, right or left, if need be, and I think you can kick him in to guard and you can a really good player there, too.' -- Packers director of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan
New uniform: TBD
Belton's college number was No. 77, but 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan wears the number in Green Bay. The Packers have not assigned a number to Belton yet.
RAS card
Belton's Relative Athletic Score at guard is 8.80.
Player highlights
Jon-Eric Sullivan on Belton