Four Packers draft surprises

The anticipation and mock drafts are over and now NFL fans get to enjoy “draftsmas” as they examine the players their teams took. While predictable in many ways, Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers made a few unexpected choices. Here are the biggest four Packers draft surprises.

1. None of the draft picks were top 30 visits

Historically, the best way to guess Packers draft selections was to look at their top 30 pre-draft visits. Last year Matthew Golden, Anthony Belton, Savion Williams, John Williams, and Taylor Elgersma all became Packers after visiting Green Bay.

This year, none of the draft selections were top 30 visits, although they did meet with Brandon Cisse at the combine and virtually with Jager Burton. The lack of any pre-draft interest indicators is one of the biggest Packers draft surprises.

The UDFA class was much more predictable with quarterback Kyron Drones, linebacker/safety TJ Quinn, offensive lineman Josh Gesky, and defensive end Nyjalik Kelly all receiving pre-draft visits with the Packers.

2. They only took 6 players

It was a record setting weekend for Brian Gutekunst and his team: they had the smallest draft class since before Ted Thompson became the general manager. As a team that values every draft opportunity, only taking 6 players was a Packers draft surprise.

Entering the draft with fewer picks that usual, many Packers fans expected the team to trade down and get more picks. Instead they traded up twice, once in the third round for Chris McClellan and once in the 6th for Trey Smack.

Gutekunst defended his choices by praising the depth of the pre-draft roster, but only time will tell if the smallest draft class of his tenure will add enough value to keep the team competitive.

3. They only took one player on offense

Although most of their needs were on defense, it is unusual for an offensive coach like Matt Lafleur to only receive one offensive rookie. If that one player doesn’t play a skill position, the lack of attention becomes one of the Packers draft surprises.

Jager Burton, himself, is not a surprising pick for the Packers at all. He is a versatile and highly athletic interior lineman that fits the Packers need for interior backup perfectly.

However, many expected the Packers to target a wide receiver after the departure of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Lafleur’s offensive system requires wide receivers that can block, which is tough ask for a receiver room that only has 2 players over 6’ and 200 lbs. UDFA J. Michael Sturdivant is big enough to block, but as a non-drafted player, he has no guarantee of making the roster at all.

4. They traded up for a kicker

Trading both seventh round picks to take Trey Smack at the end of the sixth round was the final, and maybe biggest of the Packers draft surprises.

Kicker was definitely a need for the Packers after Brandon McManus’ poor performance possibly costed the Packers a playoff game against the rival Chicago Bears. However, those who remember Anders Carlson’s tenure and similar failure in the playoffs against the 49ers in the 2024 playoffs are wary of the Packers drafting any kicker.

Fortunately, Smack is comparable to a fellow NFC north kicker in Will Reichard, who was chosen as the 2025 all-pro kicker. They are both highly experienced SEC kickers who hit over 90% of their kicks inside of the 40 yard line and over 70% of their kicks beyond the 50 yard line. Even the strongest member of the “never draft kickers” club can have hope that Smack will be a successful NFL kicker.