The Green Bay Packers have turned their attention to the offseason. Yes, free agency comes up first, but the lifeblood of the franchise is the draft. The Packers will dabble in free agency more often than they did under Ted Thompson. Brian Gutekunst, when he’s had the cap space, has spent at the top of the market. In 2018 he brought in tight end Jimmy Graham. In 2019, it was the spending spree that included Preston and Za’Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner.

Last year, it was Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney after covid and salary cap restrictions forced Gutekunst to be more resourceful.

Last year, it was Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney after covid and salary cap restrictions forced Gutekunst to be more resourceful.

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No trades were used either. The Packers’ first round pick in this exercise was the mammoth from Michigan. Round 1 Pick 23: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan Brian Gutekunst had a variety of themes in his final media availability of the regular season. One of them was that he always wants to continue to build in the trenches. Some of the building through the trenches will come from within.

The Packers have on unrestricted free agent of their preferred front seven defenders, defensive lineman TJ Slaton. Something else that is true is that the Packers need more from their interior defensive line. Kenny Clark is coming off his worst season as a pro. Devonte Wyatt received high praise from Gutekunst, but has not been nearly consistent enough to earn the lionshare of snaps. Karl Brooks is a sub-package player, and Colb

Karl Brooks is a sub-package player, and Colby Wooden has yet to make a name for himself. Enter the 340 lb mammoth from Michigan to give the front seven another impact defender in the spine of their defense. Grant is not just a big plodder in the middle of the defense, but a freak athlete as well. Kenneth Grant Made One Of The Most Underrated Plays In Michigan Football History Last Year Vs Penn State

Certified Michigan Man For Life GO BLUE pic.twitter.com/pzMgIx6tj2 — Will Johnson Enjoyer (@WillJEnjoyer) December 26, 2024 Grant’s pass rush upside was on display as he grew into a leadership role for the Wolverines, including a sack in last year’s National Championship Game. Grant could become an impact run defender as a rookie, while also giving the team some juice as an interior rusher.

At some point, they’ll have to replace Kenny Clark, and Grant could be a case of looking to do so a year ahead of schedule. Round 2 Pick 54: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State Tuimoloau may have been a draft target for Green Bay a season ago, but he returned to Ohio State in an attempt to chase a national championship. On that note, mission accomplished.

Tuimoloau has had some moments where he looked like a game-wrecker, but did lack the consistency of his counterpart, Jack Sawyer. That is, until his final season on campus. Tuimoloau had 11 sacks through his first three seasons with the Buckeyes. His final season saw him bring down the quarterback 12.5 times. The Packers need to add some juice to their pass rush after a disappointing year from that group, and adding Tuimoloau would help in that regard. Round 3 Pick 87: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas The crowd at Lambeau Field rejoices! A pass catcher!

Christian Watson had surgery on his ACL on Jan 23. He’ll be able to play in 2025, but it’s to be determined as to when. Romeo Doubs suffered a scary head injury in the team’s final game of the season at Philadelphia.

Both of those players are set to have their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Goldenaveraged 17 yards-per-reception and scored nine touchdowns in his final season at Texas. Golden’s stock appears to be on the rise after a strong performance in the College Football Playoff, where he emerged as the go-to receiver for Quinn Ewers. Golden could contribute immediately in 2025, while also being groomed for a bigger role if Watson or Doubs are allowed to walk following the 2025 season. For Dad.