NC State's Anthony Belton brings a much-needed element to Packers offense

Anthony Belton is a big man, and that's exactly why the Green Bay Packers selected him with the 54th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Packers made a huge splash in Round 1 by selecting Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. It was the first time since 2002 that Green Bay used its first-round pick on a wideout, and in Golden, it feels it has someone special. He caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Longhorns, and he runs a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash.

Golden is the headliner in Green Bay for good reason, but Belton is arguably just as important a pick for the Packers. He checks in at a massive 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, and was a three-year starting left tackle for the NC State Wolfpack.

His size was one of the main reasons the Packers selected him.

"It's the old phrase, 'Big doesn't get small,' especially when you play here in the NFC North," Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan said, via the team website. "We want to be physical. We want to be able to overwhelm with size and physicality. That's what attracted us to him. He's a good football player, and he happens to be a huge man, as well."

The Packers leaned heavily on Josh Jacobs and the run game last season, and as long as he's healthy and wearing green and gold, you can bet head coach Matt LaFleur is going to look to call his name a bunch.

Having big, powerful offensive linemen up front will only serve to make Jacobs' job easier in 2025 and beyond, and that's not to mention Jordan Love. The Packers like Belton's ability to be a roadgrader, but he can move his feet in the passing game as well.

"Down at the Senior Bowl was my first real exposure to him and just seeing him and his ability to pass block, do all the things that I think Matt (LaFleur) asks our offensive line guys to do within our scheme, a lot of the movement stuff for a man his size is what drew us to him," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said.

Versatility is the last thing the Packers found appealing about Belton, and that's a must for playing in Green Bay. Case in point? Elgton Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowl guard, but the Packers are going to ask him to play center in 2025.

Green Bay's offensive linemen need to be comfortable with the basics at tackle and guard, and it's worth noting that even at his size, Belton can slide inside and play guard as well.

Overall, he's the perfect Green Bay lineman prospect. He also has the perfect nickname for a big man who can move quickly: Escalade.