NFL Draft in Green Bay: Packers hold pair of picks on Day 2

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers took Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden with their first-round pick on Thursday night. With the 2025 NFL Draft’s second day of selections now underway, here’s a look at Green Bay’s recent approach to rounds two and three.

Packers draft history

Green Bay took Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall on Thursday.

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The 2025 NFL Draft has officially opened in Green Bay, with the Packers holding the No. 23 overall pick.

The Golden pick aside, the Packers have had a first-round propensity for defense over the past two decades, while their priority in the draft’s second and third rounds has typically been offense. Since 2005, the team has picked 28 total offensive players and 19 defensive players in those rounds.

Pass catchers in particular have been a target for the Packers in rounds two and three during that span. Despite not selecting a wide receiver or tight end in either round last year, the two positions lead the pack in terms of total draftees dating back to 2005.

Second-round picks under Gutekunst

2024: Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Georgia safety Javon Bullard
2023: Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed
2022: North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson
2021: Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Myers
2020: Boston College running back AJ Dillon
2019: Mississippi State offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins
2018: Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson

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Third-round picks under Gutekunst

2024: USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper
2023: South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft
2022: UCLA offensive lineman Sean Rhyan
2021: Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers
2020: Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara
2019: Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger
2018: Vanderbilt linebacker Oren Burks

Offseason highlights

March 3: Re-signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie
March 5: Re-signed kicker Brandon McManus
March 13: Signed cornerback Nate Hobbs
March 18: Signed offensive lineman Aaron Banks
March 20: Signed wide receiver Mecole Hardman
March 28: Signed linebacker Kristian Welch for 2nd stint in Green Bay

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2025 picks

The Packers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with seven selections. It snapped a streak of six straight years the team entered the draft with at least 10 picks.

Entering draft night:

Round 1, Pick 23 (23)
Round 2, Pick 22 (54)
Round 3, Pick 23 (87)
Round 4, Pick 22 (124)
Round 5, Pick 23 (159)
Round 6, Pick 22 (198)
Round 7, Pick 21 (237) via Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 7, Pick 34 (250) compensatory

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The seventh-round pick from Pittsburgh was a result of the swap that sent veteran edge rusher Preston Smith to the Steelers last season. The compensatory pick was the result of losing offensive tackle Yosh Nijman in free agency the previous offseason, according to the team.

The Packers selected 11 players in the 2024 draft.

The Source: FOX6 News produced this report with information from the Green Bay Packers and contributions from the Associated Press.

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