The nice way to describe how the Green Bay Packers have handled the first week of free agency is that they’ve been conservative.
But the correct way to describe how general manager Brian Gutenkunst has gone about this first wave is to say that things have been absolutely dreadful thus far. It’s not really that farfetched to say that there’s a big problem in the Packers’ front office when Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are making more moves.
And it’s a little bit confusing, given the decent amount of salary cap space Green Bay had to work with heading into the offseason.
Through this first week, the Packers have made the fewest external additions in the entire NFL, initially signing only cornerback Nate Hobbs and offensive lineman Aaron Banks. And let’s get real here; they vastly overpaid both players.
And then, of course, there’s wideout Mecole Hardman. But let’s not pretend that’s moving any needles. That’s it.
But it’s not as if they’ve made many internal moves either, re-signing only linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and kicker Brandon McManus. To be fair, most of the players they let walk out the door weren’t really worth bringing back, although they could end up regretting what went down with Josh Myers.
But still, staying this stagnant is putting a lot of pressure on Gutekunst to nail the 2025 NFL Draft. And on that note, we come to ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock, which, if it comes to fruition, would make some Green Bay fans happy and others absolutely irate.
Let us explain.
Mel Kiper Jr. has the Packers taking Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
In the most recent edition of his 2025 mock draft, Kiper has the Packers selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 23rd overall pick in the opening round. Here’s his analysis:
“Egbuka’s game is really refined. He is a great route runner. He has good hands. He reads the defense well. And while Green Bay doesn’t have much history of drafting wide receivers on Day 1 (Javon Walker was the last one in 2002), this seems like a good year to break the streak.
Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs all have injury concerns, and I’m not sure any of them are true WR1s when healthy. Egbuka had 1,011 receiving yards last season, and he could make an immediate impact on this offense.”
As mentioned, Egbuka recorded 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns for the national champion Buckeyes this past year, catching 81 passes in 16 games en route to earning Third-Team All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive season.
The Tacoma native was actually more efficient in 2022, going for 1,151 yards on 74 catches in 13 games with the same 10 touchdowns. It’s important to note, of course, that C.J. Stroud was the starter in Columbus that season. And with all due respect to Will Howard, there are simply different levels there.
Nevertheless, Egbuka would be a solid choice. And seeing as the Packers haven’t given Jordan Love another weapon to work with in free agency, the need is there. Again, let’s not pretend Hardman is a genuine threat at this point.
Furthermore, it’s just another way to take a little dig at Aaron Rodgers, who always wanted the Green Bay front office to draft a receiver in the first round, only to be disappointed each and every year.
On the other side of the coin, however, Kiper mentioned the ongoing Jaire Alexander saga. Is he staying? Is he being released? Can Green Bay find a trade partner?
When Alexander is on the field, he’s unquestionably one of the best corners in the game. But given the inflated salary for a guy who’s played just 14 games over the last two years, the Packers are in a pickle here.
If the two-time Pro Bowler stays, Gutekunst would likely still draft a cornerback. But it would probably be in the later rounds as more of a depth play.
But if Alexander goes, the Packers will have a big choice to make with the 23rd overall pick.
For a little while now, many Cheeseheads have been enamored at the thought of Green Bay taking Jahdae Barron with that selection, as the Texas cornerback turned a lot of heads at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash while adding a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
If Kiper’s mock plays out, however, the Packers face a potential nightmare scenario, as he has Barron going to none other than the Minnesota Vikings, who own the selection directly after Green Bay at No. 24 overall.
So, it’s decision time for the Packers. And with the draft being held in Green Bay for the first time ever, they’ll know immediately how their fans feel about their choice.
