Latest news with #AnthonyBelton
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Way Too Early Green Bay Packers 2025 Record Prediction
There is a clear sense of urgency within the Green Bay Packers to compete for championships. The team bolstered the offensive line with Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton, and John Williams. They also upgraded Jordan Love's weapons by drafting Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, while signing veteran Mecole Hardman to add speed and experience to the receiving corps. On defense, the Packers added depth to the front by drafting edge rushers Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and interior lineman Warren Brinson. In the secondary, they signed cornerback Nate Hobbs, whose toughness and slot ability offer an immediate boost. These moves reflect a front office determined to build a complete roster and push toward contention. Advertisement Green Bay faces a tough road to a 2025 Super Bowl run, with the sixth-hardest strength of schedule. In addition to their NFC North rivals, they will play the AFC North, the NFC East, the Carolina Panthers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Denver Broncos. Considering this schedule, Athlon Sports has made a way-too-early prediction for Green Bay's 2025 record. Green Bay Packers players take a knee before their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.© Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Home: vs. Lions, Bears, Vikings, Ravens, Bengals, Eagles, Commanders, Panthers. The Packers face a challenging home schedule in 2025, hosting five playoff teams from 2024, along with the Bengals and Bears, both led by young, talented quarterbacks. While the Panthers might appear to be the easiest opponent, they could be a trap game. Athlon Sports predicts the Packers will go 2-1 against NFC North opponents, beating the Lions and Bears, while losing to Minnesota. Advertisement Philadelphia has consistently had the upper hand over Green Bay in recent matchups, and this trend will continue in this prediction. However, the Packers will secure victories over both AFC North teams. The same holds true for the Commanders and Panthers, with Green Bay coming out on top in those games. As a result, the Packers finish their home regular season with a strong 6-2 record. Road: vs. Lions, Bears, Vikings, Cowboys, Giants, Browns, Steelers, Broncos, Cardinals. Green Bay's road schedule in 2025 is lighter than its home slate, but it is far from a cakewalk. Athlon Sports projects Green Bay to earn road wins against the Bears, Vikings, Giants, Cowboys, Browns and Cardinals. However, they will fall short against the Lions, Steelers, and Broncos. Specifically, Acrisure Stadium and Empower Field at Mile High have historically been hostile environments for the Packers. Green Bay has struggled to succeed in both venues, and that trend could continues on this prediction. Advertisement Athlon Sports projects Green Bay to finish the 2025 season with a 12-5 record and a playoff berth. While injuries can impact a team's trajectory, there is ample reason for optimism. The Packers won 11 games last year under a first-year defensive coordinator, despite missing star cornerback Jaire Alexander for most of the season and playing 2.5 games without their starting quarterback. Given those circumstances, it is reasonable to expect continued growth in 2025. Related: Packers Fans Infuriated By Latest Vikings Report Related: NFL Expert Predicts Packers Rookie Will Make Big Impact In 2025 Season
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Second-round pick Anthony Belton went on 14 pre-draft visits before being picked by Packers
Second-round pick Anthony Belton went on 14 pre-draft visits before being picked by Packers Second-round pick Anthony Belton went on 14 pre-draft visits before being selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 54 overall in the 2025 draft, according to Packers coach Matt LaFleur. Belton visited the Packers during the pre-draft visit. Other reported visits include the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. If nothing else, the number of visits suggests the league was interested in getting to know Belton, who was widely viewed by analysts as a third- or fourth-round player and ended up being somewhat of a surprise as a late second-round pick to Green Bay. It's possible many NFL teams viewed Belton as a better prospect than outsiders. LaFleur's answer came in response to running rookie minicamp and limiting the physical toll on first-year players following a grueling pre-draft process. Visits disrupt routine and can be physically and mentally draining for players who must fly around the country and meet with teams during a narrow pre-draft window. Belton was one of the busiest prospects of the 2025 cycle. Why would so many teams want to host Belton for a visit? Generally, teams want to check a box during a visit, whether it's answering questions about on-field or off-field matters or finishing up a medical evaluation. In Green Bay, the Packers have gravitated towards drafting pre-draft visitors under Brian Gutekunst. Belton was a three-year starter at North Carolina State who participated at the Senior Bowl and did most of the athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, he is also a 24-year-old prospect who was a zero-star recruit out of high school and spent his first two collegiate seasons at Georgia Military College. Other potential question marks include a habit of penalties (eight flags during each of his final three seasons), an ejection for spitting on a player in-game and his weight, which fluctuated in-season at North Carolina State. Belton weighed 336 pounds at the combine and said he wants to drop another 10 pounds before the 2025 season. Hear more from Belton below:
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers draft tackle Belton, receiver Williams on Day 2
The Brief The Packers drafted N.C. State tackle Anthony Belton in the second round. In the third round, Green Bay picked TCU wide receiver Savion Williams. Texas receiver Matthew Golden was the team's first-round pick on Thursday. GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers selected North Carolina State offensive lineman Anthony Belton with the No. 54 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday night. In the third round, Green Bay drafted Texas Christian wide receiver Savion Williams with the No. 87 overall pick. Anthony Belton Belton – listed at 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, according to the NFL – played in 12 games with 11 starts last season. He was named third-team All-ACC in 2023 and was a three-year starter for the Wolfpack. The Packers said he did not allow more than three sacks in any one season while averaging just over 400 pass-blocking snaps per year. Savion Williams Williams was the second pass catcher selected among Green Bay's top three picks. According to he totaled 1,576 yards and 14 touchdowns on 130 receptions over the past three seasons combined. Last season, he also had 322 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 51 carries. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 in each of the past two seasons. Packers draft history Green Bay took Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall on Thursday. Advertisement The Golden pick aside, the Packers have had a first-round propensity for defense over the past two decades, while their priority in the draft's second and third rounds has typically been offense. Since 2005, the team has picked 28 total offensive players and 19 defensive players in those rounds. Pass catchers in particular have been a target for the Packers in rounds two and three during that span. Despite not selecting a wide receiver or tight end in either round last year, the two positions lead the pack in terms of total draftees dating back to 2005. RELATED: Check out the new and improved FOX Sports app Second-round picks under Gutekunst 2024: Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Georgia safety Javon Bullard 2023: Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed 2022: North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson 2021: Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Myers 2020: Boston College running back AJ Dillon 2019: Mississippi State offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins 2018: Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson Advertisement FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Third-round picks under Gutekunst 2024: USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, Missouri linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper 2023: South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft 2022: UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan 2021: Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers 2020: Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara 2019: Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger 2018: Vanderbilt linebacker Oren Burks Offseason highlights READ & WATCH: FOX6 coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay 2025 picks The Packers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with seven selections. It snapped a streak of six straight years the team entered the draft with at least 10 picks. Entering draft night: Round 1, Pick 23 (23) Round 2, Pick 22 (54) Round 3, Pick 23 (87) Round 4, Pick 22 (124) Round 5, Pick 23 (159) Round 6, Pick 22 (198) Round 7, Pick 21 (237) via Pittsburgh Steelers Round 7, Pick 34 (250) compensatory SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The seventh-round pick from Pittsburgh was a result of the swap that sent veteran edge rusher Preston Smith to the Steelers last season. The compensatory pick was the result of losing offensive tackle Yosh Nijman in free agency the previous offseason, according to the team. Advertisement The Packers selected 11 players in the 2024 draft. The Source FOX6 News produced this report with information from the Green Bay Packers and contributions from the Associated Press.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers draft pick profiles: Anthony Belton provides valuable skillset for Green Bay
Packers draft pick profiles: Anthony Belton provides valuable skillset for Green Bay The Green Bay Packers sprung a surprise on night two of the 2025 NFL draft, selecting NC State's Anthony Belton at No. 54 overall. It was something of a controversial pick, given that Belton was ranked much lower on the consensus big board, but what did Green Bay see in the offensive tackle? At 6-6 even and 336 pounds with 34 ⅝' arms, Belton is a big, powerful guy, which clearly appealed to the Packers as they made a concerted effort to make their offensive line more physical this offseason, first with the signing of Aaron Banks, and then the selection of Belton. According to Dane Brugler's draft guide, Belton actually played at closer to 360 pounds in 2024, and he represents a significant outlier relative to the types of offensive linemen Brian Gutekunst has usually drafted, with Sean Rhyan previously the heaviest at 321 pounds. After drafting Belton, vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan told the media: 'We want to be big across the front. We want to be physical. We want to be able to overwhelm with size and physicality.' For a big man, Belton is a good athlete and earned the nickname "Escalade" in college for his smooth movement ability at his size. Belton earned a 7.75 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) with "good" scores for explosion and agility. A three-year starter at left tackle, Belton had an average PFF pass protection grade of 80. His 87.3 grade in 2024 bettered all but two offensive tackles drafted in this class; Wyatt Milum and Kelvin Banks Jr. He ranked 48th in the FBS for pass block efficiency in 2024 out of 346 qualified tackles. Belton's grades in the run game are not as strong, especially for someone so physically imposing, but improved each season, ending with a 69.3 grade in 2024. He had eight penalties in each of the last three seasons and was kicked out of a game in 2024 for spitting at his opponent. Despite only playing left tackle in college, Belton projects to have the versatility to play everywhere but center along the offensive line, another attractive quality for Green Bay, who like to move their linemen around. Sullivan said: 'He's very versatile. I think he can play left tackle, he can play both guard spots, he can play right tackle.' There are pros and cons to Belton's age – 24 years old – as he is essentially maxed out physically and will not develop any further, and if he earns a second contract, will be 28 by that time, but should be ready to compete and potentially start in the NFL right away. On tape, Belton's best strength is his power in pass protection. You will not see him get knocked back by a defender's initial contact, he absorbs it. Bull rush attempts come to a halt before they can become a factor for the quarterback, and Belton has a strong anchor with torque in his body to stay balanced. Even NFL rushers are going to have a very difficult time having success by trying to go through Belton. Versus Tennessee in 2024, he noticed the defender across from him was going to rush inside and just smashed him into the next defender, leaving them both on the ground. Sullivan told the media: 'He can dominate versus power, when guys try to play down his middle, his ability to anchor and just play big man football, you can't play through him. He's a huge man, he's got really good length. You're not going to see him in the quarterback's lap too often.' The Packers often talk about feet being what they look for most in a tackle, and it is easy to see why they liked Belton in that regard. He keeps them moving quickly and will rework them to maintain a wide base and hold up versus power, stay engaged while a defender tries to shake loose from his grasp or redirect to answer a late inside counter. Belton has enough quickness to burst off the line and stop opponents beating him to the edge, and when a rusher is in a wide alignment, he can take a big first step in his pass set to cut off their runway. After setting up inside, he shows the ability to adjust his feet and get back outside fast enough to engage a defender before it is too late. If he is beaten initially, Belton shows the ability, and excellent effort, to steer them all the way around the back of the quarterback, buying him some time. He also shows awareness for where his QB is late in the rep, able to adjust his body if he starts to flee the pocket and give him a lane. Toeing the line between timing up the snap of the ball without false starting has become a real weapon in the NFL, and Belton did this well at NC State. Belton has powerful arms which can be an asset in both the pass and run game. He can get his arms outside of a defender and control them in pass pro, and once they are latched on, it is hard to throw him off balance. In the run game, he can get his big mitts on opponents and physically move them out of the way to open up holes. While moving laterally he can use one arm to hold onto a defender then the other to turn them and wall them out of the play. His movement skills are useful in the run game, and this is likely something the Packers really valued. If the coaches ask him to go 'get' someone on a run play, he has the ability to get there and do it. Off the snap, he can quickly get half a gap over and seal off run lanes. When blocking on the move he showed the ability to wall one defender off, then reach up to the second level and get a piece of another. If Belton is free off the snap, he can go clear a path for the running back at the second level. Belton is capable of getting out on the edge and making blocks in space, and can also wash opponents out of the play when crashing down the line of scrimmage. On Belton's impressive movement skills for his size, Gutekunst said: 'A lot of the movement stuff for a man his size is what drew us to him.' One of Belton's best traits is his demeanour. He looks for work and finds someone to hit, and is a finisher, frequently taking opponents to the ground and ending the play on top of them. This helps him when defenders cross his face, as he is often able to send them to the turf to solve the problem. Hand usage is Belton's biggest issue in pass pro. He lets rushers into his chest too willingly, probably because he feels comfortable in those situations due to his size advantage, but it is not always a good place to be. He handles powerful rushers well, even if they do get into his chest, but it is twitchy or crafty rushers who give him problems. The quick twitch guys can slip away from him and the craftsmen can beat him with hand usage. Belton is especially vulnerable to a push/pull move. At the Senior Bowl, Belton fared well against bigger rushers like Landon Jackson and Jah Joyner, as well as getting the better of nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell in the run game multiple times, but smaller rushers like Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mike Green and David Walker gave him issues. Belton needs to improve his hand usage to keep these types of defenders under control once he's engaged with them or stop them from swatting his hands down and beating him around the edge. Regardless of the type of rusher, Belton could be much more in control and dominant as a pass protector with more consistent hand placement. Due to not being the most explosive player, he can get behind off the line against speed rushers, and because he feels the need to get out on the edge, he can overset and then lacks the body control to adjust back the other way to deal with quick inside moves. When his back chip blocks a defender he is engaged with, it actually throws him off as he has to adjust his body and often is not able to, allowing the rusher to slip away. In the run game, Belton allows defenders to set the edge against him and does not move them off the spot as much as he should be able to. He can give up ground on the initial contact and too often ends up in the picture for the running back trying to get upfield. Belton plays over his toes at times, can get caught lunging at opponents and end up on the ground. After landing his initial hit out in space, he can struggle to latch on and the defender can slip away and end up making the tackle anyway. He will have to manage his weight at the next level. Playing at 360 lbs is not going to be sustainable, and Belton will need to stay around the weight he was at the combine, in the 330s. Overall, Belton has the ability to play tackle if needed, but is likely to be better inside in the NFL, where his issues can be better hidden, and should be able to compete to be the starting right guard for Green Bay as a rookie. Was the pick a reach? Maybe, but it is also completely understandable why the Packers valued his skill set highly and felt comfortable with him in round two. If he becomes an above average starter, which has a good chance of happening, it will be worth the selection.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Green Bay Packers 2025 second-round pick: OL Anthony Belton
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
