The Green Bay Packers have prioritized surrounding quarterback Jordan Love with young, ascending, potentially game-altering talent to develop along with him, largely through the NFL Draft, in recent years. Now, this spring, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers could turn their attention to the defense.
Green Bay’s formula should be easily replicable, especially after the front office mined playmaking linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in the 2024 draft, as one of the young building blocks on a defense that improved as the season went along in 2024 under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Packers Urged to Select Disruptive Defensive Tackle in 2025 NFL Draft
This spring, the Packers’ defensive rebuild could begin in the first-round.
In Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, that’s exactly how things play out, as general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers select disruptive Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the No. 23 overall selection.
“The Packers’ defensive line was disappointing this season,” Brugler points out for The Athletic. “And the front office must balance the possibility of players already on the roster getting better against adding premium talent. If general manager Brian Gutekunst looks for an upgrade in the first round, Williams — and his disruptive nature — would make sense.”
Williams developed a reputation as a wrecking ball along the interior of the Buckeyes’ defensive line.
During his time in Columbus, Williams posted 133 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in four seasons.
Williams could be the kind of player who the Packers need to counter the play of quarterbacks Jared Goff and Caleb Williams in the NFC North while emerging as a run-stuffer against some of the elite backs in the NFC.
“Williams shows plenty of strength at the point of attack to win at the line of scrimmage,” The Bleacher Report Scouting Department writes. “That helps him get off blocks against the run and collapse the pocket when bull-rushing. However, his measurables during the predraft process will be important. He appears to have shorter arms, which could limit how much extension he can get in the NFL.”
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