2025 NFL Re-Draft Has Packers Going All-In on the Trenches Early - and Finding a Special Teams Gem Later
In the actual 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers used their second-round pick (No. 54 overall) to shore up the offensive line with Anthony Belton. But in ESPN’s 2025 re-draft, the Packers get more aggressive in addressing the line earlier - taking Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons at No. 23 in the first round. That reshuffling means wide receiver Matthew Golden is out of the picture, and Green Bay pivots to a different Day 2 target to fill the receiver void: Florida senior Chimere Dike.
Now, let’s be clear - Dike isn’t just a fill-in. He’s a versatile weapon who gives the Packers more than just a receiving option. He gives them juice on special teams, a phase of the game Green Bay has struggled with for years.
Dike: A Solid Receiver, A Game-Changing Returner
In the real draft, Dike came off the board at No. 103 to the Tennessee Titans. In the re-draft, he jumps nearly 50 spots, landing in Green Bay’s lap as their new second-round pick. That kind of leap tells you something - not just about his production, but his value.
Statistically, Dike’s rookie year wasn’t flashy, but context matters. He played a more prominent role in Tennessee’s underwhelming offense than Golden did in Green Bay’s more functional unit.
Dike finished the season with 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns - good for second, third, and tied for first on the Titans, respectively. His 74 targets were also third-most on the team.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re steady, and they came in a tough offensive environment.
Golden, on the other hand, caught 29 passes for 361 yards in the regular season. Including the playoffs, he totaled 33 receptions for 445 yards and one touchdown over 15 games. Not a massive gap in production, especially when you consider Golden was originally taken 23rd overall - 80 spots ahead of Dike.
Golden’s Upside vs. Dike’s Immediate Impact
To be fair, Golden still holds a higher ceiling as a pure receiver. ESPN’s re-draft reflects that, slotting him to the Arizona Cardinals at No.
- His rookie year didn’t quite meet expectations, but the potential is still there.
That said, when you stack up the year-one impact, Dike offered more - and not just on offense.
Where Dike really separates himself is on special teams. He wasn’t just serviceable - he was elite.
According to Packers beat writer Rob Demovsky, Dike led the league in all-purpose yards and was named first-team All-Pro as a punt returner. He returned 62 kickoffs for 1,588 yards (a 25.6-yard average) and 23 punts for 388 yards (17.1-yard average), including two scores.
That’s game-changing production in a phase of the game that often gets overlooked - until your team is consistently losing the field position battle.
Golden, by comparison, started the year as a punt returner but was eventually pulled after multiple “rookie mistakes” cost the Packers valuable field position. That’s not uncommon for first-year players, but it underscores just how rare Dike’s immediate impact was.
A Pick That Fits Green Bay’s Draft History
The Packers have a strong track record with second-round receivers. Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Christian Watson all came from that sweet spot in the draft. Dike might not have the same ceiling as some of those names, but his versatility gives him a chance to carve out a meaningful role - both as a reliable slot option and a dangerous return man.
In a re-draft world, Green Bay walks away with a starting-caliber offensive tackle in the first round and a do-it-all playmaker in the second. That’s a win - especially for a team that’s trying to build around Jordan Love, maximize field position, and find contributors who can impact multiple phases of the game.
Chimere Dike may not have been the flashiest name on draft weekend, but a year later, he’s proving to be exactly the kind of player the Packers needed - steady, dynamic, and quietly explosive.