The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2025 NFL draft with eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after limping to the finish line of an otherwise promising season in 2024. Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur believe their team is ready to start competing for championships, but the Packers still need to find more early contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.
Can the Packers use the 2025 draft to solidify their status as one of the NFC's top contenders?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at edge rusher:
On the roster
- Rashan Gary: 27 years old, signed through 2027 season
- Kingsley Enagbare 25 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Lukas Van Ness: 24 years old, signed through 2026 season
- Brenton Cox Jr.: 25 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Arron Mosby: 26 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Deslin Alexandre: 26 years old, signed through 2025 season
- Jeremiah Martin: 24 years old, signed through 2025 season
Short-term need
Moderate. The Packers are returning five edge rushers who played at least 150 snaps defensively last season, including Pro Bowler Rashan Gary and 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. Jeff Hafley's defense could line up with their current top five at defensive end and play a game today. But Van Ness didn't break out in Year 2, Kingsley Enagbare is a replacement level starter and it's unclear where Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby will go in their development in 2025. The pass-rush overall needs to get better and more consistent. A rookie -- especially an early pick -- could come in and play a role right away. In an ideal world, Van Ness would emerge as an impact starter opposite Gary, and either Cox or Mosby would prove to be a capable rotational rusher for the second group. But that's only a hope right now.
Long-term need
High. Only Gary and Van Ness are under contract past this season, so a remake of the position could be coming as soon as 2026, and the Packers must be prepared at a premium spot defensively. Taking an edge rusher early in this draft could provide another high-value developmental option and stabilize the position long-term, especially if there are any question marks on Van Ness becoming a legit player. In terms of numbers, the long-term need is undeniable.
Chances of drafting position
Moderate to high. Do the Packers have to draft a defensive end? Probably not. But an upgrade to the pass-rush is necessary right now, and teams like the Packers have a plan for 2-3 years into the future. It's clear edge rusher needs help past 2025. This is a strong draft class for adding a player to the mix at edge rusher.
Depth of draft class
Good. There is solid depth to the edge rusher class at almost every point in the draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has 34 edge rushers with a draftable grade, including 24 capable of coming off the board in the first four rounds. If the Packers want to add an edge rusher, this class will have plenty of options, especially during the first two days.
Potential options, and last DE drafted
- Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
- Mykel Williams, Georgia
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
- JT Tiumoloau, Ohio State
- Jordan Burch, Oregon
- Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
- Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
- Bradyn Swinson, LSU
- Barryn Sorrell, Texas
- Elijah Roberts, SMU
- Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
Last DE drafted by Packers: Lukas Van Ness -- first round, 2023 draft
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2025 draft preview: Edge rusher needs help for now and later
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