Six Recent High Packers Draft Choices Facing Critical Seasons in 2025

Players selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft start with a definite advantage. They have almost guaranteed roster spots in their first season, but they also face high expectations from coaches, fans, and the media. If they fail to meet those expectations, they can face criticism and be considered a bust. The Green Bay Packers are no exception. Here are six recent Packers high draft choices who are facing a critical season in 2025:

Packers High Draft Choices Facing a Critical Season, Number Six: G Sean Rhyan

GM Brian Gutekunst selected Sean Rhyan in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former UCLA star got off to a very shaky start to his NFL career. During his rookie season, he played one snap in one game and that was it. Later in the season, he was suspended by the league for six games for violating the NFL’s PED policy.

In his second season, Rhyan played several series per game in relief of Jon Runyan, Jr. before emerging as the starting right guard in 2024.

Rhyan will be entering the final season of his entry-level contract in 2025. He will need to play well enough to earn a second deal with the Packers or a lucrative deal elsewhere if he reaches free agency.

Rhyan adds toughness and attitude to the offensive line, but he faces an uphill battle to earn that second contract especially when you consider the salary cap situation and the depth the Packers have along the offensive line.

Number Five: DL Devonte Wyatt

The Packers opted to use their fifth-year option on defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt this offseason. But that means he’s on a one-year deal in 2026. Gutekunst indicated he wants to extend Wyatt. The Packers certainly would like to reduce this 2026 cap hit from its current cap hit of $12.9 million.

Wyatt’s inconsistency against the run and his inability to earn a starting job have held him back. He does provide solid pressure against opposing quarterbacks from the interior of the defensive line.

A strong 2025 season could lead to a lucrative long-term deal for Wyatt and establish him as a starter in the middle of the Packers defensive line.

Packers High Draft Choices Facing a Critical Season, Number Four: TE Luke Musgrave

Tight end Luke Musgrave has two obstacles facing him as he enters the 2025 season. The first is finding a role as Tucker Kraft has established himself as the team’s starting tight end. The second is staying healthy enough to establish a role in the offense even if he’s not going to start.

Musgrave played just seven games in 2024 and caught just seven passes for 45 yards. When healthy, he has the ability to stretch the field because of his outstanding speed for a tight end.

He will need to return to the form he showed in the first half of his rookie season before he missed time due to a lacerated kidney. He finished his rookie campaign with 34 catches for 352 yards and a touchdown.

Number Three: LB Quay Walker

Linebacker Quay Walker enters the final year of his rookie contract. The Packers declined the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick out of Georgia although Gutekunst has indicated he wants to sign Walker to an extension.

Walker needs to earn that extension by playing well this season. While he has been a starter since Week 1 of his rookie campaign, Walker has yet to establish himself as anything more than a serviceable starter. Walker has led the Packers in tackles in each of his first three campaigns, but too many of his tackles have been made downfield after the opposing player already gained substantial yardage. He also needs to make more game-impacting plays.

Walker has the speed and athletic ability to improve but needs to be better at reading plays and putting himself in a better position to make tackles sooner. If he gets off to a strong start this season, he could sign a more lucrative, long-term deal to stay in Green Bay.

Packers High Draft Choices Facing a Critical Season, Number Two: QB Jordan Love

Quarterback Jordan Love will be entering his third season as the Packers starting quarterback. After a very strong finish to his first season as the starter, injuries compromised his play in 2024. He suffered a knee injury late in the season opener in Brazil and was unable to make progress for the rest of the year. His overall statistics were slightly better in 2024 than in 2023.

Love has led the Packers to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as the starter despite having the youngest roster in the league in both years. He needs to improve his long-range accuracy and footwork a bit. The former Utah State star also needs to find the sweet spot between trying to go deep and creating splash plays and playing it safe by taking too many checkdowns.

If Love takes a step forward, he has the talent to become one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. If he stagnates, his long-term future as the team’s quarterback could be called into question. This will be a pivotal season for the Packers starting quarterback.

Number One: DE Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness will enter his third season in the NFL in 2025, but he has yet to start a game. He recorded three sacks last season in 17 games, after registering four as a rookie. Van Ness failed to earn the starting job after the Packers traded Preston Smith at midseason.

Last season, Van Ness did play with a broken thumb that limited his ability to use his hands to get pressure on the quarterback. He did improve his ability to play against the run.

The Packers knew the former Iowa star would be a project when they selected him. This is a key season for Van Ness if he hopes to prove Gutekunst did the right thing by drafting him. He was working with the first-string defensive line during OTAs. This will be a critical season for Van Ness and his future with the team.