The Green Bay Packers came out of the 2025 NFL Draft with eight new rookies and a whole lot of excitement-especially with the draft taking place right in their own backyard. But now, with a full season in the books, that class is under the microscope, and the early returns haven’t exactly turned heads. Still, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
A D+ Grade Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
NFL.com recently handed out grades for each team’s 2025 draft class, and the Packers landed at the bottom with a D+. On paper, that might seem fair.
The rookie group didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet. But when you dig into the context, especially around first-round pick Matthew Golden, the picture gets a little more nuanced.
Let’s rewind to that electric night in April. The Packers, hosting the draft in Green Bay, made a splash by finally taking a wide receiver in the first round-something they hadn’t done since selecting Javon Walker in 2002. Outgoing team president Mark Murphy made the announcement in front of a hometown crowd, and Golden stepped onto the stage as the new face of the Packers’ receiving corps.
That moment might still be the most memorable of Golden’s rookie year-but it wasn’t his only highlight.
Golden Flashes in Limited Action
Golden’s overall numbers don’t jump off the page-11 catches for 112 yards from Weeks 8 through 18-but when he did get opportunities, he made the most of them. No major drops.
No blown assignments. Just a young receiver trying to find his way in a system that’s notorious for bringing wideouts along slowly.
And when the lights were brightest, Golden showed up. In the Wild Card loss to Chicago, he caught four passes for 84 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. That performance was a glimpse of the potential the Packers saw in him last spring.
What makes Golden’s limited role even more curious is the state of the Packers’ receiving corps throughout the season. Jayden Reed was out from Week 2 to Week 13.
Christian Watson missed the first six games recovering from a torn ACL. And tight end Tucker Kraft-arguably Jordan Love’s most reliable target-was lost midway through the year with a torn ACL of his own.
Despite all that upheaval, Golden never quite became a regular part of Matt LaFleur’s game plan. That says more about the team’s developmental philosophy than it does about Golden’s ability. He did what he could with the chances he got.
Anthony Belton Holds His Own in the Trenches
Second-round pick Anthony Belton saw much more consistent playing time-and handled it well. The former NC State tackle shifted inside to right guard for most of his rookie year, logging 487 total snaps (392 at right guard) across 14 games, including seven starts.
For a rookie lineman adjusting to a new position, Belton held his ground. He wasn’t a liability, which is no small feat for a first-year player in the trenches. The Packers leaned on his versatility when injuries forced shuffles along the offensive line, and he responded with steady, if unspectacular, play.
Savion Williams: Special Teams Contributor, Waiting His Turn
Third-rounder Savion Williams found himself in a similar spot to Golden-buried in a deep receiver room and waiting for a bigger role. He didn’t see much action on offense, but he did contribute on special teams as the primary kick returner. It wasn’t a flashy role, and his production there was modest, but again, the lack of offensive involvement had more to do with the system than the player.
Edge Depth: Still a Work in Progress
Green Bay doubled up at edge rusher in the middle rounds, selecting Barryn Sorrell in the fourth and Collin Oliver in the fifth. Sorrell managed to get on the field for 14 games, but his role was limited-just 178 snaps total.
Oliver, meanwhile, spent most of the season sidelined and appeared in only one game. It’s simply too early to know what the Packers have in either player.
Looking Ahead: Roles Should Grow in Year 2
It’s fair to say the 2025 draft class didn’t deliver immediate impact. But it’s also fair to point out that injuries and limited opportunities played a major role in that narrative.
Golden showed flashes. Belton held his own.
Williams and the edge rushers were mostly victims of circumstance.
The real judgment on this class will come in 2026, when these players are expected to take on bigger roles. Golden, in particular, has the skill set to become a key weapon in Jordan Love’s arsenal-he just needs the reps.
Belton could solidify a spot on the offensive line. And if the others stay healthy, they’ll finally get the chance to show what they can do.
So while the D+ grade might reflect what happened in Year 1, it doesn’t define the ceiling of this group. The Packers’ rookies are still very much in development mode-and the best might still be ahead.