Latest news with #post-AaronRodgers
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment
The post Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment appeared first on ClutchPoints. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur just revealed an intriguing experiment his team is participating in. The franchise is coming off another encouraging season, which saw it make the playoffs again. LaFleur has now led Green Bay to the postseason in five out of his six years in charge. Advertisement However, last year ended in somewhat disappointing fashion with a Wild Card round loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers now look forward to a 2025 season in which they aim to take that next championship-level step. And this team is already taking some big swings with certain players. LaFleur recently detailed to Packers Wire editor Zach Kruse what the team is doing with defensive end Lukas Van Ness. Kruse additionally broke down the 23-year-old's background with the franchise and why this bold move should likely pay off. 'Van Ness, a first-round pick from the 2023 draft, got reps inside as a rusher during Tuesday's team periods at OTAs, and coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers could use Van Ness there at specific times during the regular season. Advertisement ''I think, situationally, you can do that (play Van Ness inside),' LaFleur said. 'In known passing situations there's some thought around that. A lot of it is going to be dependent upon everyone else as well. Lukas has shown a lot of growth. I'm excited to see him once we get pads on.' 'According to PFF's tracking data, Van Ness played only 20 snaps as an interior player during the 2024 season and just three as a rookie in 2023. But the former Iowa Hawkeye isn't lacking experience inside—Van Ness was used primarily as an interior rusher during his first collegiate season before moving to the edge in 2022.' A legit interior pass rush can completely blow a game up against any opponent. Van Ness has seven career sacks to his name, but it seems like there is another level to his game. At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds with a 4.58 40-yard dash time, the 2023 No. 13 overall pick could be due for a breakout year in 2025 with a change upfront. Overall, expectations are suitably high for the Packers despite a daunting schedule. Matchups against the nine playoff teams from last season are looming, and there will be plenty of potent offenses to boot. This franchise has been building the right way in the post-Aaron Rodgers era for years now. It's time to take that next step.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Packers roster among NFL's 'most complete,' but with caveats entering 2025
Eric Edholm picked the Green Bay Packers as one of his 10 "most complete" teams entering the 2025, and while Edholm doesn't see many "major red flags," there are caveats to the Packers' positioning as one of the best rosters this season. Can a good team on the cusp take the next step? Advertisement Brian Gutekunst's draft strategy -- especially in the post-Aaron Rodgers era -- has created a young and talented roster that has made back-to-back playoff appearances and should be ready to compete in 2025. "Brian Gutekunst was promoted to general manager in 2018, and the Packers have selected 80 players in his eight drafts -- an average of 10 per year, for the non-math majors out there. This volume-heavy approach has allowed them to field one of the league's most solid and competitive rosters up and down," Edholm wrote. The caveats are obvious. Quarterback Jordan Love must stay healthy and play better at the game's most important position, the Packers defense needs more from a talented but inconsistent front, and Jaire Alexander must return at cornerback. Love suffered a Week 1 injury and, at times, labored through his second season as the starter. The wide receivers -- who won't have Christian Watson for a chunk of 2025 -- must catch passes more consistently. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt must power improvement rushing the quarterback in the second year of the Jeff Hafley era. And while Alexander's status in Green Bay remains a question mark, he's a difference-maker when healthy and available. Cornerback would be a potential "red flag" position if Alexander isn't back. Advertisement Still, even with all the issues weighing down the Packers in 2024, Matt LaFleur's team won 11 games, made the playoffs and gave the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles a good fight on the road in the first round. The bar for a great season in Green Bay is much higher, but the Packers have established a strong floor with this group. "But all told, this is a fairly strong team, lacking major red flags. Green Bay's ranking would be solidified should Love show improvement," Edholm wrote. The path ahead for the Packers won't be an easy one. Edholm picked both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings among his most complete teams, and three other teams in the NFC made the top 10. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers roster NFL most complete 2025 Jordan Love Jaire Alexander
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers roster among NFL's 'most complete,' but with caveats entering 2025
Packers roster among NFL's 'most complete,' but with caveats entering 2025 Eric Edholm picked the Green Bay Packers as one of his 10 "most complete" teams entering the 2025, and while Edholm doesn't see many "major red flags," there are caveats to the Packers' positioning as one of the best rosters this season. Can a good team on the cusp take the next step? Brian Gutekunst's draft strategy -- especially in the post-Aaron Rodgers era -- has created a young and talented roster that has made back-to-back playoff appearances and should be ready to compete in 2025. "Brian Gutekunst was promoted to general manager in 2018, and the Packers have selected 80 players in his eight drafts -- an average of 10 per year, for the non-math majors out there. This volume-heavy approach has allowed them to field one of the league's most solid and competitive rosters up and down," Edholm wrote. The caveats are obvious. Quarterback Jordan Love must stay healthy and play better at the game's most important position, the Packers defense needs more from a talented but inconsistent front, and Jaire Alexander must return at cornerback. Love suffered a Week 1 injury and, at times, labored through his second season as the starter. The wide receivers -- who won't have Christian Watson for a chunk of 2025 -- must catch passes more consistently. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt must power improvement rushing the quarterback in the second year of the Jeff Hafley era. And while Alexander's status in Green Bay remains a question mark, he's a difference-maker when healthy and available. Cornerback would be a potential "red flag" position if Alexander isn't back. Still, even with all the issues weighing down the Packers in 2024, Matt LaFleur's team won 11 games, made the playoffs and gave the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles a good fight on the road in the first round. The bar for a great season in Green Bay is much higher, but the Packers have established a strong floor with this group. "But all told, this is a fairly strong team, lacking major red flags. Green Bay's ranking would be solidified should Love show improvement," Edholm wrote. The path ahead for the Packers won't be an easy one. Edholm picked both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings among his most complete teams, and three other teams in the NFC made the top 10.
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL mock draft: Surprising Top 10 shakeups in final first-round projections
2025 NFL mock draft: Surprising Top 10 shakeups in final first-round projections The 2025 NFL draft is finally here! The Tennessee Titans will kick things off on Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before the rest of the league locks in on improving their rosters. This draft is loaded with talent, but most of it may require some development once they turn pro. Each scouting department will determine which players are worth taking the risk on. Will teams prioritize the trenches? Are skilled positions on offense going to dominate the headlines? Will any big trades take place? With the draft just hours away, here's our final 2025 NFL mock draft before the Titans are officially on the clock. 1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami There's no surprise with this one. The Titans select the man they hope is their future franchise quarterback in Cam Ward at first overall. 2. Cleveland Browns - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State The Browns land the best player in the draft in edge rusher Abdul Carter, who will shore up Cleveland's pass rush alongside Myles Garrett. 3. New York Giants - Mason Graham, DL, Michigan The Giants hit a home run in selecting Mason Graham. It's a good idea to avoid overdrafting a quarterback or skill player on offense. 4. New England Patriots - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri The Patriots prioritize protecting quarterback Drake Maye with the selection of Armand Membou, which comes as a little bit of a surprise as Will Campbell has long been the guy. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado The Jaguars land a steal in Travis Hunter, who somehow makes it to fifth overall. But will Jacksonville utilize him both on offense and defense? 6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State The Raiders add a playmaker in Ashton Jeanty at sixth overall. Selecting a running back at this stage of the first round is risky, but Las Vegas isn't known for their elite decision-making. 7. New York Jets - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado The Jets, in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, take Shedeur Sanders to see if he can be the quarterback of their future as he competes with newcomer Justin Fields. 8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona The Carolina Panthers gift quarterback Bryce Young one of the draft's best wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8. 9. New Orleans Saints - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan The Saints need a little bit of everything. But with Shedeur Sanders off the board, they go with cornerback Will Johnson, who could be a big help for their secondary. 10. Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU The Bears round out the Top 10 with another stud offensive lineman. Will Campbell falling to them should make Ryan Poles run up to the stage to select him. 11. San Francisco 49ers - Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia The 49ers land a stud in Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker, who will add another weapon on defense. 12. Dallas Cowboys - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia The Cowboys go defense with their first round pick landing Malaki Starks at No. 12. If they are going to have a good year in 2025, shoring up their defense is one of the keys. 13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas The Dolphins select Kelvin Banks Jr. as they aim to protect their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and fill the big hole left by Terron Armstead, who retired this offseason. 14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State The Colts land a playmaking tight end in Tyler Warren to help get Anthony Richardson going. 15. Atlanta Falcons - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia The Falcons don't select an offensive skill position player in the first round. Instead, they try to improve their defense with Mykel Williams. 16. Arizona Cardinals - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M The Cardinals are close to taking a step, and Shemar Stewart being added to their pass rush could go a long way in 2025. 17. Cincinnati Bengals - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama The Bengals need help on defense if they want to get the most out of a top-five quarterback in Joe Burrow. Jihaad Campbell can help them with that. 18. Seattle Seahawks - Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama The Seahawks want to make sure that Sam Darnold isn't seeing ghosts. Adding protection like Tyler Booker will help. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall The Buccaneers are sneaky good at drafting and developing high-end talent, and Mike Green could be the latest addition to that list. 20. Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina The Broncos target another playmaking running back in Omarion Hampton, who joins Ashton Jeanty as the only other running back selected in the first round. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan The Steelers add a talented interior defensive lineman in Kenneth Grant to bolster their roster. 22. Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan Jim Harbaugh loves his Michigan players. Colston Loveland would be a great addition for Justin Herbert, who keeps getting better. 23. Green Bay Packers - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina The Packers add a stud safety in Nick Emmanwori at 23rd overall in front of their home fans. 24. Minnesota Vikings - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas The Vikings are an interesting team coming into 2025. First or last place wouldn't be surprising for them. But the addition of Jahdae Barron should help bolster their defense under Brian Flores. 25. Houston Texans - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State The Texans select Josh Simmons as they'd like to keep quarterback C.J. Stroud on his feet as much as possible. 26. Los Angeles Rams - Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon The Rams need some help on the offensive line after some departures. Josh Conerly Jr. would be perfect for them. 27. Baltimore Ravens - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State The Ravens get even better on the offensive line by selecting Grey Zabel, who will help protect Lamar Jackson and continue to establish their dominant rushing attack. 28. Detroit Lions - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee The Lions land a stud pass rusher in James Pearce Jr. to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. 29. Washington Commanders - Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon The Commanders need to improve their defense to help Jayden Daniels get to the top. The selection of Derrick Harmon will help bolster the defensive line. 30. Buffalo Bills - Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss The Bills improve their pass rush in another attempt to make it to the Super Bowl by selecting Walter Nolen. 31. Kansas City Chiefs - Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota The Chiefs probably aren't looking to make another luxury pick as they have in recent years. Their offensive line was more than leaky against the Philadelphia Eagles in the big game, so adding a stud like Aireontae Ersery is an easy decision. 32. Philadelphia Eagles - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College The Eagles are bringing back a lot of their championship team, but everyone is always looking to get better. A star edge rusher like Donovan Ezeiruaku would be great for their pass rush. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
