The Green Bay Packers are picking in the backend of the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, which begins Thursday night. Of interest, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com provided a list of five “potential surprise first-rounders” earlier this week.
Last year, Pelissero provided four potential surprises. One ended the first round at No. 32 (Xavier Legette), another started the second round at No. 33 (Keon Coleman) The year before, three of his five picks ended up going in the first round, including picks at No. 27 and No. 29.
Do any of the five players picked by Pelissero this year fit the Packers, who hold the 23rd overall pick this year?
Let’s break it down:
LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
The Packers have used three top-100 picks on linebackers in the last three drafts (Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper) and re-signed Isaiah McDuffie, a two-year starter, to a two-year deal. Schwesinger is a good football player and will likely pile up tackles at the NFL level, but it’d be truly shocking if the Packers took an off-ball linebacker in the first round.
Possibility in first round for Packers: Not happening
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Here’s a legitimate first-round receiver option for the Packers, who haven’t taken a receiver in the first round since 2002 (but you knew that already, right?). Egbuka is the school record holder for receptions at Ohio State, and he’s a reliable, high-floor pass-catcher who could contribute right away in the Packers passing game. Is he “special” enough to be a first-rounder? We’ll see. But it would be surprising if Egbuka isn’t a consistent, quality receiver at the NFL level. He’s going to make a quarterback happy as a pro. Will it be Jordan Love? Maybe.
Possibility in first round for Packers: Good
C Jared Wilson, Georgia
The Packers lost center Josh Myers in free agency, but Aaron Banks signed a big deal and Elgton Jenkins is moving to center full-time. Could the Packers see Wilson as the long-term solution at center, especially considering Jenkins’ age and contract? Maybe, but using a first-round pick on a developmental center with 12 career collegiate starts doesn’t sound like a likely move. Add in the fact that Wilson is the No. 79 overall player on the consensus big board, and we’ll say it’s unlikely any team takes this chance in the first round.
Possibility in first round for Packers: Not likely
DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Like Egbuka, this one feels possible. Williams is the No. 43 player on the consensus big board, so he’s in that range of surprise first-round picks (Quay Walker was the consensus No. 39 player in 2022, for instance). He’s a big, athletic and experienced defender who could contribute right away, especially as a run stopper next to a three-technique. The Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency and might prioritize finding a similar body type, and Williams is probably the best of the bunch.
Possibility in first round for Packers: Decent
QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
The Packers aren’t taking a quarterback in the first round. While Brian Gutekunst wants to draft quarterbacks every year, Shough isn’t going to be the one.
Possibility in first round for Packers: Not happening