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Breaking down first round of 2025 draft from Packers point of view

Breaking down first round of 2025 draft from Packers point of view

USA Today25-04-2025

Breaking down first round of 2025 draft from Packers point of view
The first round of the 2025 NFL draft is underway in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The league will make 32 picks over the course of roughly three-and-a-half hours on Thursday night.
The Green Bay Packers hold the No. 23 overall pick.
Breaking down the first round from a Packers viewpoint:
No. 1: Titans select QB Cam Ward
A new quarterback in Tennessee. The Packers beat up Will Levis in a win in Nashville last year. It's possible the Packers won't play the Titans again until the 2028 season.
No. 2: Jaguars select WR/CB Travis Hunter
Blockbuster trade allows the Jaguars to move up and get the unicorn of the draft class. Like the Titans, the Packers played the Jaguars in 2024 and might not see them again on the regular season schedule until 2028.
No. 3: Giants select edge rusher Abdul Carter
A big-time pass-rushing talent goes to the Giants. Carter is one of the elite players in the class. The Packers will go to New York to play Carter and the Giants in 2025.
No. 4: Patriots select OT Will Campbell
A new left tackle for Drake Maye? Campbell said he's going to "fight and die" to protect Maye in New England.
No. 5: Browns select DL Mason Graham
The Browns moved down and then took the best interior defensive lineman in the class. Graham will team with Myles Garrett to create a tough defensive front. The Packers go to Cleveland to play in 2025.
No. 6: Raiders select RB Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty runs like the Mega Evolution of Aaron Jones. He's a great fit with Pete Carroll, who gets his Beast Mode 2.0. The Packers will probably be happy about Jeanty not falling to the Bears at No. 10.
No. 7: Jets select OT Armand Membou
Aaron Rodgers got sacked a bunch last season. The Jets are committing a big resource to keep new quarterback Justin Fields protected in 2025.
No. 8: Panthers select WR Tetairoa McMillan
The new Mike Evans in the NFC South? McMillan is the first dream Packers target to come off the board. Green Bay will host McMillan and the Panthers at Lambeau Field in 2025.
No. 9: Saints select OT Kelvin Banks
The Saints have a big question mark at quarterback. Instead of reaching for one, New Orleans grabs an offensive lineman to block for whoever is throwing passes for the Saints in 2025. Maybe New Orleans wants to trade back into the first round to get a passer?
No. 10: Bears select TE Colston Loveland
Another weapon for quarterback Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson. The Bears are building a diverse and impressive offense. But a tight end at No. 10? Maybe Johnson thinks Loveland can be his new Sam LaPorta in Chicago.
No. 11: 49ers select edge rusher Mykel Williams
A second potential Packers target off the board in the first 11 picks. Williams is one of the youngest and highest upside defensive players in the draft class. The Packers almost certainly had him high on their board.
No. 12 Cowboys select guard Tyler Booker
The Cowboys get a new blocker for Dak Prescott. He was the top rated guard in the draft class for many evaluators. The Packers will attempt to get through Booker and the Cowboys offensive line when they go to Dallas in 2025.
No. 13: Dolphins select defensive tackle Kenneth Grant
Another potential Packers target gone. He's an athletic, disruptive big man. He would fit perfectly as a one-tech in Green Bay. Grant goes to Miami instead.
No. 14: Colts select tight end Tyler Warren
A second tight end in the top 15. It's impossible not to think of Dallas Clark. Warren did a little bit of everything at Penn State. The Packers won't see him or Indy for a few years, most likely.
No. 15: Falcons select edge rusher Jalon Walker
The Falcons probably feel fortunate to get Walker at this point in the first round. He's a versatile edge rusher/off-ball linebacker who could help reshape the Falcons' defensive front. Atlanta isn't on Green Bay's 2025 schedule, but the Falcons could be a playoff contender.

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