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With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Green Bay Packers, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Green Bay Packers rookies?
- Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
- Anthony Belton (OT, NC State)
- Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
- Barryn Sorrell (EDGE, Texas)
- Collin Oliver (LB, Oklahoma State)
- Warren Brinson (DL, Georgia)
- Micah Robinson (CB, Tulane)
- John Williams (OT, Cincinnati)
Green Bay Packers Draft Class Grade:
The Green Bay Packers received a C+ draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Packers Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Packers desperately needed to add to the receiving corps, especially with Christian Watson missing at least part of the upcoming season due to a torn ACL, which led to the selection of Matthew Golden (first round).
It’s possible the Packers’ failure to address the position in free agency forced their hand, settling for the fourth of the only four receivers widely considered viable first-round selections.
Golden is capable of contributing as a downfield weapon, but there are concerns about his inconsistent production and a lack of one elite trait.
Although Golden ran well at the combine, that elite straight-line speed didn’t translate well to the field.
Based on route adjusted data, Golden only produced 0.9% more yards after the catch than expected over the last two seasons.
Golden is probably best suited as a second option, so Packers fans shouldn’t panic if he doesn’t flash immediately 一 he might take off once Watson is back on the field.
Anthony Belton (second round) has the size and strength to develop into a dominant offensive tackle, but discipline has been an issue in more ways than one.
For starters, Belton needs to prove he can stay in shape and keep his weight under control.
Then, on the field, he needs to eliminate the penalties 一 he committed 24 over his three years as a starter at NC State.
If Belton earns Green Bay’s trust in a reserve role as a rookie, he’ll likely be a starter in 2026, as left tackle Rasheed Walker and right tackle Zach Tom are both in the final years of their contracts.
Savion Williams (third round) has the height (6-feet, 4-inches) Green Bay covets in receivers, but he’s a developmental prospect who is unlikely to see much action as a rookie.
Despite his size, Williams was never a downfield threat at TCU, hauling in just 10 career catches at 20 or more yards downfield in 52 career games.
He’s also not a consistent threat after the catch, despite playing in an offense designed to get its receivers open in space. Based on route adjusted data, Williams generated 10% fewer yards after the catch than expected during his three years as a starter, falling below average in each of those three seasons.
Barryn Sorrell (fourth round) has the ideal versatility for Green Bay’s defense, as he saw significant action on the edge and the interior defensive line last season at Texas.
When lined up on the edge, Sorrell generated a 12% pressure rate to go with a 17% pressure rate on the interior.
Sorrell's usage at Texas was similar to Lukas Van Ness at Iowa, and Sorrell might serve as a backup to Van Ness in Green Bay or potentially even push him for a starting role.
Collin Oliver (fifth round) is another versatile defender who will join Sorrell on the defensive line, though Oliver’s versatility is as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker.
Green Bay probably has more use for Oliver as an edge-rusher, though his experience as an off-ball linebacker certainly adds to his value as a reserve.
Oliver missed most of the 2024 season due to a foot injury but generated a 17% pressure rate the previous year at Oklahoma State and led the team in sacks in each of his three full seasons.
Warren Brinson (sixth round) adds depth to the interior defensive line.
Due to his size and athletic traits, Brinson is an interesting developmental prospect. However, excitement should be tempered by the fact that Kirby Smart and his staff couldn’t get any meaningful production out of Brinson in his five seasons at Georgia 一 a significant red flag given their track record developing defensive linemen.
Micah Robinson (seventh round) will compete for a roster spot at cornerback. The former FCS standout was productive during his one season in the FBS at Tulane last year, and Green Bay will try to further his development.
Given the lack of proven depth at the position, Robinson has a chance to earn a meaningful reserve role in the secondary.
John Williams (seventh round) was a two-year starter at left tackle at Cincinnati, and while he lacks ideal traits to stay in that role, he could provide depth at both guard and tackle in Green Bay.
When his quarterback took a traditional dropback last season, Williams allowed a 2.5% blown block rate, ranked 22nd out of 148 qualified FBS left tackles.
Most of the Packers' selections in this class were justified from a value perspective, but it was odd to see them double down on wide receiver and edge-rusher with four of their first five selections.
The added depth at those positions will help, but it wasn’t a glaring weakness, and it came at the expense of other areas of need 一 most notably cornerback, which went unaddressed until the seventh round.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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