The Packers Need More From These Former First Round Picks in 2025
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers are preparing for their first preseason game of the 2025 season which will take place Saturday night. The team has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and believes it can extend that streak to three this year. While GM Brian Gutekunst has drafted some quality players since taking over in 2018, many of the team’s first round selections have struggled to live up to their draft status. As we get ready to start the 2025 campaign, the Packers need more from these former first round picks if they hope to contend for a Super Bowl.
LB Quay Walker
This will be Walker’s fourth season with the team since the Packers took him in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Georgia alum became an immediate starter and has led the team in tackles in each of his first three years with the team, but he has yet to become in impact player.
Walker has great speed and athleticism but has struggled to get off blocks and read plays well at times. As a result, many of his tackles have come downfield after the opposing offense has already gained several yards.
To live up to his first-round expectations, Walker will need to make more big plays and anticipate where he needs to be quicker.
This will be a critical season for Walker as he is in the final year of his contract. The Packers declined his fifth-year option. While Gutekunst stated he wanted to ink Walker to a long-term extension, until that happens, his future in Green Bay remains uncertain.
DT Devonte Wyatt
Wyatt has shown pass rush ability and recorded a total of 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons. But in three years with the team, the former Georgia star has started only five games with all of them coming in 2023.
Wyatt has yet to establish himself as a starter and has never played more than half of the team’s defensive snaps. In fact, last season, he played only 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in the 14 games he appeared in.
Wyatt is a solid player, and the Packers did pick up his fifth-year option. But to live up to his draft status, he needs to become a starter or to become more of an impact player going forward. The Packers are hoping that he and Kenny Clark can provide the team with a strong inside pass rush this season if both players can stay healthy. Now it’s up to Wyatt to provide that.
DE Lukas Van Ness
Van Ness will start his third season with the team. He has yet to start a game for the Packers in his first two years with the team. In fact, he hasn’t started a game since high school.
The former Iowa star played the first 11 games last season with a broken finger that hampered his ability to use both hands to evade blockers. Hopefully, that will change this year now that he is fully healthy.
Van Ness recorded just three sacks last season after getting four in his rookie campaign. He did play the run better in 2024, but still only played 39 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
When the Packers traded Preston Smith at the trade deadline last year, it was Kingsley Enagbare who won the starting job opposite Rashan Gary over Van Ness.
Right now, “Hercules” is practicing with the first-string defense, so the job appears to be his to lose. The Packers are hoping Van Ness has a breakout season this year. They need to make a decision on his fifth-year option during the offseason in 2026.
OL Jordan Morgan
Injuries limited Morgan to just six games in his rookie season and he started just one. Morgan played left tackle in college. After cross training him at tackle and guard at OTAs, the coaching staff had him concentrating on right guard at training camp, saying that would be his best chance to win a starting job as a rookie. He didn’t win the job but ended up alternating into the lineup for several series per game behind Sean Rhyan.
Again, Morgan is fighting for either the left tackle or right guard job. The front office and coaching staff certainly want to see him playing regularly somewhere in his second NFL season.
Most scouts feel Morgan is better suited to guard than tackle in the NFL because of his relatively short arms. A healthy Morgan will again attempt to crack the starting lineup in 2025.
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Comments (41)
pantz_bURp
August 07, 2025 at 09:48 am
"The Packers Need More From These Former First Round Picks in 2025".
Yes, they do. Similar to how I need my fellow posters on CHTV to up their game as well. I am a free agent on this board. No one even offered me a try out. But here I am contributing to this forum like I am #15 from the past.
Please, for the love of God and all things Green and Gold...up your game! I don't need any more empty calories in my life.
Thank you in advance for your understanding,
Pantz
Bitternotsour
August 07, 2025 at 11:46 am
Pantz - I try to ration my tidbits in the buildup to the regular season. To expect more from me, a vet, a vested vet at that, c'mon man, it's just practice at this point. I get that you want the new kids to step up, but for those of us longtimers, let's at least wait till the real bullets are flying.
Since'75
August 07, 2025 at 08:43 pm
I'm a fan of Pantz burp, love people on here with a personality.
*********
Just for the record, the bullets have been flying for these players, none of them are rookies.
Pantz is right, up your game.
psu8284
August 07, 2025 at 01:55 pm
We are just loaded with "coulda shoulda woulda" players.
EricTorkelson
August 08, 2025 at 08:11 am
There are a lot off good posters and postings on this Cheesehead board pantz_ I have gone back and forth with them on several occasions. But I don't pay to much attention to your postings pantz_ Sorry there not very good ...
pantz_bURp
August 08, 2025 at 06:29 pm
I know, I know. I was thinking about calling myself Empty Calories. 😀
I love you ET...now phone home,
PB
Coldworld
August 07, 2025 at 10:05 am
The Packers need players to show growth. These may be the most high profile names, but we need to see players on all sides of the ball improve on their prior selves. Not all will, but good coaches get more out of their talent. I will take that from whomever. If Covington, for example, is as some herald him, he could lift not just Van Ness, but the entire DL, for example. That’s the big win whether it comes from smarter usage, improved play or both.
Bearmeat
August 07, 2025 at 03:31 pm
But there have been several players who have grown since being drafted and have outplayed their draft position. Valentine, MVS, Tom, Williams, Nixon, Wicks, Love, etc. just to name a few off the top of my head. That shows good coaching. Which would leave the aforementioned highly drafted players to show themselves in the best possible light and lends one to believe they were not good picks.
WestCoastPackerBacker
August 07, 2025 at 10:09 am
These former first rounders were all playing injured last year or out entirely:
Love, Q Walker, Wyatt, Clark, Alexander, Van Ness, Morgan.
That’s a lot of first round talent that could bounce back this season and help the team. Except Alexander of course.
Leatherhead
August 07, 2025 at 10:13 am
Morgan....might not get on the field. In a perfect world, all five of our starters would stay healthy. But if that doesn't happen, he's our #6 OL, and first off the bench. He'll play where he's needed, and that's the beauty of drafting versatile guys. Walker goes down? Morgan is there. Rhyan goes down? Morgan is there. Morgan needs to improve in the area of Availability, as he only played in a handful of games lasts year.
LVN has done as well in his first two years as a number of good DEs. He's two years stronger and more experienced than he was when he was drafted and I think he'll have a solid season for us.
Walker is going to have a hard time raising his game. He's on the field more than just about anybody and he makes more tackles than just about anybody, and has more tackles for loss than anybody . I get the argument for not doing the 5th year option: We have Cooper for three more years, we have McDuffie for two more, and we think we can replace Walker with guys like Simmons or Hopper.
Here's my three: Musgrave, because if he could stay on the field it would really help. Wicks, because he had an unbelievable number of drops last year, and if he could hang onto those babies, it would really help move the offense. Actually, that's only two.
Coldworld
August 07, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Musgrave is a good one. He’s started to show up in camp recently, which is encouraging. What I’m not clear about is has his blocking improved? Can he be a true TE if needed as well as a target? That matters because, if he wants to get regular snaps, he’s going to have to do the less glamorous stuff. To harness the full potential of sets with Musgrave out there and also free up Kraft, he has to be able to take some of his chopping and blocking or he will lose opportunities to less talented players.
You are right in Wicks too, but generally that applies to all WRs. An uptick in catch rates makes us a whole lot better. Wicks it would transform I agree. He has a truly elite ability to get open that is largely negated unless his catching takes a significant jump.
After that it’s the OL, particularly inside: we need to bring our running backs yards before contact back to at least league average and we need pockets that don’t constant get pushed back in the center. Give Love stable space to set and step into more throws and he (any QB) likely gets notably better.
Om DL, I’m fascinated to see what changes Hafley and Covington will make. Clark has suggested there will be some. If our DL becomes better (as players of just smarter use of their talents) overall we win much more than if just one player improves. Growth is important and it’s not just needed from players but their coaches and play callers.
Turophile
August 07, 2025 at 01:11 pm
Morgan should see plenty of action in preseason at LT, I would imagine. He needs reps there as he was at guard last year. As long as he gets reps at LT during the season, I'd be interested to see where he is 9 or 10 games in. Again, assuming he gets reps, we should know by then where he lies on the good-pick / bad-pick axis.
As for Quay Walker, if he is on the field at the same time as ILB's Isiah Simmons and Edgerrin Cooper, THAT is some ridiculous speed for the unit (not to dump on McDuffie and Hopper, but their speed is not up there with these three). I don't think Quay is the fastest learner, but his speed and athleticism are absolute top tier. This could be the year for him, especially alongside Cooper and with quality Packers Safeties sharing the field.
Also, I want to see if safety Bullard shines, when playing mostly zone coverage.
Next, I want to see how the O line operates in the run game with Banks at LG Jenkins at C. Maybe even Belton on the line somewhere to add power. There seems to be no question that the line is being designed to be more physical in the run game.
Finally, when I mentioned weeks back that I thought Brooks would make the team at RB (with Jacobs, Lloyd and Brooks on the 53 roster) I met with some disfavour here and some downvotes (there are plenty of Emanuel Wilson lovers out there). As it is now, I'm almost certain Chris Brooks makes the team.
It's not that I don't like Wilson, I do, but the Packers have an embarrasment of riches at RB and it looks like a good player will be cut. Brooks (6'1", 219) is not built like Wilson (who is a 5'10", 226lb bowling ball), but he does everything so well. Even RB Abanikanda looked ok and the best he could do (imo) is make the PS.
Leatherhead
August 07, 2025 at 03:49 pm
Wilson, last year, was available every game and averaged 5.0 yards every time he touched the ball, pass and run. He had the second most touches on the team last year and had zero fumbles. If you're going to throw that aside in favor of somebody who hasn't really done very much, you'd better be right.
I still think it's Jacobs, Wilson, Brooks, and Lloyd, just like last year. But if Lloyd can't stay healthy, it could well be Abanikanda. I'd be fine either way. I think that this group of RBs, behind this offensive line, is going to be able move the ball. In December and January, it's not going to feel like an embarassment of riches.
Alberta_Packer
August 07, 2025 at 10:37 am
If the Packers always traded-down into the second round - we could avoid any future first round controversies. More seriously - in addition to the author plus CW, WCPB and LH - I have little to add.
brenner
August 07, 2025 at 11:26 pm
If the Packers traded out of the first round every year, the talent level wouldn't have dropped that significantly since they're always in the bottom half of the round anyways. (Gary,LVN and Alexander the exceptions there).
GregC
August 07, 2025 at 11:02 am
Seems like we get this same article every year, but with a new name added and maybe one or two old names falling off the list because they are no longer on the team. Welcome to the First Round Under Achievers Club, Jordan Morgan!
I feel cautiously optimistic about all of these guys. Although they haven't been impact players, they haven't been terrible either. Whether or not a player is a "starter" is increasingly irrelevant due to coaches rotating players more, and at any rate, it looks like Wyatt and Van Ness will finally be starters this year.
stockholder
August 07, 2025 at 11:13 am
The big numbers will never happen.
No one has Van Ess on their redraft board.
Morgan vs Walker. Sorry; but Gute should have drafted St Jean.
Walker Shouldn't be on the list.
Gears and potential ,are still the real deal.
Wyatt doesn't have the height or leverage.
Gute's mistake- trading for Watson and drafting Wyatt.
The major problem isn't needing more-
It's proving their worth.
Turophile
August 07, 2025 at 01:40 pm
So how would you have felt if the Packers had picked Edgerrin Cooper in round one and Morgan in round two ? No question that he (Cooper) would be a first round pick in a re-draft. As for Morgan, that book hasn't gone to print yet - a large part of the story is still to be written.
As for Wyatt not having the height or leverage. Wyatt is 6'3", 304.
Mike Daniels was 6'0", and 5lb heavier - and both had arm lengths of approx 32 1/2". Now, Daniels had a fine career here, so your point about Wyatt's height and leverage falls short. It's more about good technique coupled with strength.
As for trading for Watson, yes he has been injured, but that is looking back in time with 20/20 vision - and GMs don't have that luxury. Guys with that size and speed are RARE....and even rarer is finding them in round 2.
stockholder
August 07, 2025 at 02:47 pm
Cooper was going rd 2 all the way-
other teams passed on him.
Rd 1. - I would not have taken Morgan!
CB was the best choice. Eagles grabbed both.
Daniels was a later draft choice.
I would have taken Watson and then a NT from cinn.
He could have had a great TE in rd 2. too.
Avoiding going offense in the next draft.
T7Steve
August 07, 2025 at 11:16 am
Walker, I believe, will have what looks like a breakout season because for the first time he's going to have Cooper next to him for the majority of the season. TEAMWORK!
I've been patiently waiting for LVN to mature and become a force. He started in the NFL at an early age for his position. The edge rotation pieces should be much more consistent and knowledgeable about this defense. I just don't want to take any backsteps in the run game just to improve the pass rush.
With a healthy Clark, Wyatt and he will feed off of each other like I expected them to last season. This will also help the edge rushers. Offenses will have to pick their poison.
Morgan will get to the point where it all clicks and comes together. Till then he's someone that brings more confidence in the O-line depth this season.
Bitternotsour
August 07, 2025 at 11:49 am
when the guy next to you is doing his job it's much easier to do your own job.
Coldworld
August 07, 2025 at 12:10 pm
So true, particularly in the OL and DL. If Stackhouse is as good a double team eater as he was in college, I’m intrigued to see if that doesn’t go a long way to help others around him. We’ve not seen that type of ability to create plays for others from NT in a while.
On the OL, it’s one reason why I think platooning is such a bad idea. Lines play as units: they are as good as their weakest link and at their best when it’s become second nature to know what your neighbor is doing or will be challenged by.
T7Steve
August 07, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Bringing up playing together also reminds me of one of my pet peeves. Vet rest. When you're doing installs, walkthroughs and actually practicing the plays, the vets may not need it (but I'm skeptical of that) but the guys next to them need to know what that vet is going to be doing and how he's reading the D.
"Amateurs practice till they get it right. Professionals practice till they can't get it wrong." (Tom Petty)
Mark Ballard
August 07, 2025 at 11:18 am
I'd certainly add Rashan Gary to this list. The highest Packers draft pick since BJ Raji in 2009, Gary was paid to be a superstar, and we've certainly seen flashes that he can be that. But there have been too many stretches where Gary seems to disappear. For the Packers to be a Super Bowl-contending team, they need more consistent pressure and disruption from #52.
barutanseijin
August 07, 2025 at 01:08 pm
At this point, he is what you have seen so far.
Since'75
August 07, 2025 at 09:00 pm
Agree with everything Ballard said.
Nags doesn't like when us fans talk about a players money.
I like Nags a lot, but i call BS.
I have a brain, i do my own thinking.
I know that the highest paid players are paid what they are, to be difference makers.
Well.....Gary is high effort usually, but he isn't a game changer, period.
He almost gets there, a lot
***********
Yea, agreed barut....in 6 seasons, a player usually is, who he is
He gets paid like a difference maker.
MLF calls Gary, a game wrecker (smh).
Well....i'm waiting.
splitpea1
August 07, 2025 at 11:19 am
I think we could also use a little more from Love, although he's obviously not in the same category as the other four. More accuracy, less wild deep throws, and a dash of fiery leadership, and we'll be good to go.
Now the other four...jeez, four of them from the first round!...with the exception of Quay, three of them still have to prove they can become solid starters--especially LVN. With Morgan we have time as the O-line is pretty well fortified for now; where you're really going to need him on the starting unit is next season.
LambeauPlain
August 07, 2025 at 11:45 am
While he was a 2nd rounder, Musgrave was the #42 selection in his draft and the Packers need so much more from him.
Also injury riddled, he is flirting with bust territory should he again be a non factor. My concern is the injuries may have taken a mental toll on him...as in "what's next"?
That lacerated kidney was incredibly dangerous...it would have to leave a psychological scar, wouldn't it? Maybe making him a bit tentative and skittish toward contact. He's never been a physical player, as it is.
If he has a bounce back year, tremendous positive ripples could happen throughout the Offense. He's a match up nightmare...especially in 12 personnel.
Bitternotsour
August 07, 2025 at 11:51 am
bust territory? please.
Coldworld
August 07, 2025 at 12:14 pm
If what we get is the Musgrave of last year then that’s not ridiculous. Fortunately he seems to be resurfacing in camp. Last year he did not look himself athletically or in terms of mentality. Hopefully he’s now healthier and more confident in his body.
13TimeChamps
August 07, 2025 at 01:04 pm
I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I've never understood why there seems to be any kind of lofty expectations concerning Musgrave.
4 years in college: 34games/47rec/633yds/2TDs.
2 years in NFL: 18games/41rec/397yds/1TD.
His best (by far) year in college was in 2021 where he had 22 receptions and 1 TD in 13 games. I'm still trying to understand how that morphed into getting drafted 42nd overall. It seems his size and speed blinded everyone to his lack of production both in college as well as the pros.
I hope I'm wrong, but 3 TDs total after 4 years of college and 2 years in the NFL doesn't exactly exude much confidence.
barutanseijin
August 07, 2025 at 01:11 pm
To be fair, being events and not people, TDs never exude confidence.
Leatherhead
August 07, 2025 at 01:15 pm
TE Arithmetic. Last season, we targeted the TE 5 times per game, four of those going to Kraft. We only throw 25-30 times.
So throwing more passes to Musgrave means fewer for somebody else. It’s a hard balance. Our RBs get the ball half the time.
I think our Order Of Battle looks like this:
🥸 Jacobs/Wilson. 50%
🥸Reed/12.5%
🥸Kraft/Musgrave. 12.5%
🥸Golden. 10%
🥸 Doubs/Wicks/Williams/Watson. 15%. That’s about 10 plays among them.
T7Steve
August 07, 2025 at 01:50 pm
They don't have to pass to them for them to be a weapon. A tall Musgrave having to be covered in the back of the endzone opens up a bunch for the RBs and everyone else and it's a go to in emergencies if the play breaks down.
Leatherhead
August 07, 2025 at 03:37 pm
That's a good point. Watson helps even when he's not targeted. Kraft is a part of the reason we run so well.
LambeauPlain
August 07, 2025 at 05:22 pm
Agree, it is not the targets per se, but the effectiveness and efficiency of the play. And if the Defense can get more 3 and outs and turnovers...everyone on O will share more targets, including a healthy Musgrave.
I know Musgrave was hyped and drafted for this athletic ability and size/speed...and teased when healthy because he can catch the ball anywhere on the field. He won't plow the road, but he can clear a path drawing attention.
Bearmeat
August 07, 2025 at 01:44 pm
All general managers miss. The good ones find three good starters in every draft if they can. That’s a great draft. Gute hasn’t done that but he’s come close. And his FA pickups have been overall excellent. He is a good GM. I do not care if the first round picks don’t hit. If the third or fourth or fifth round picks, do knock it out of the park. And that has been the case for us with our GM.
Turophile
August 07, 2025 at 02:07 pm
I'd say that Gutes drafting has improved a bit over time, but his veteran acquisitions are absolutely terrific. Overall, I'm happy with his results.
TarynsEyes
August 07, 2025 at 02:53 pm
How is this demand for more bing presented to the players.
https://youtu.be/xrg-RgF5F8o?si=2YZ2idEYBJy9vyu8
or
https://youtu.be/yZ_QUh0lmj4?si=Pwtd4uZaPNaLM1Ac
I'm leaning the latter.
LeotisHarris
August 07, 2025 at 03:48 pm
What? You couldn't find any clips from Gunsmoke or American Bandstand, Taryn? Man, that's just lazy!
TarynsEyes
August 07, 2025 at 08:34 pm
It really wasn't worth that level of effort.