Evaluating the Packers' Draft Selection

Rewritten Article:

Grade: C-

Top Pick: WR Matthew Golden, 23rd Overall

Here's the Lowdown: If I was a general manager, snagging Golden at number 23 would make me drool. He's the perfect upgrade Love's squad has been craving, providing a much-needed alpha presence to the team. Kudos to Gutekunst for identifying the positions that required starting-level talent and revitalizing the roster with youthful blood, especially in areas where veterans had departed via free agency. The ground floor for this team has definitely been lifted.

Lingering Doubts: Most selections after Golden seemed like reaching for straws. There were far better players on the board, indicating that Gutekunst may have succumbed to worrying more about scheme fit than securing top-tier talent. Defensive picks like Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver might fit seamlessly within the Packers' defensive setup, but their natural talent pales in comparison to edge rushers drafted later. Savion Williams appears to be a replicated attempt to recapture the magic of the brief Christian Watson era, but he's still a work in progress.

Written by Dean Bruce, exclusive for Field Level Media

Insights from 2025 Analysis

Talent vs. Scheme Debate: The 2025 Packers' draft strategy raised concerns about natural talent discrepancies amid good scheme fits for players like Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver. The Packers prioritized defenders who fit their system requirements, even if their athletic profiles were less impressive compared to later selections. [1]
Defense Emphasis: To bolster a defense that ranked 6th in points allowed in 2024, the Packers used their Day 3 picks to target pass-rush depth, prioritizing endurance and technique over raw explosiveness. [2]
Developmental Focus: In line with Green Bay's history of developing mid-round picks, this strategy aligned with their preference for player development and system-specific roles over perceived "freak athletes." [2]

Why Scheme Fit Often Supercedes Talent- System Continuity: Coaches like Matt LaFleur need defenders who can execute specific assignments, favoring players with polished technical skills over untapped physical potential.- Developmental Culture: Green Bay's track record of refining mid-round picks, such as Rashan Gary, likely influenced their strategy to prioritize coachable traits over pure athleticism.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Packers General Manager Gutekunst prioritized players like Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver who are complementary to the team's defensive setup, despite their raw talent not being as impressive as later selections, highlighting the team's preference for scheme fit over top-tier talent.
To improve their defense ranked 6th in points allowed in the previous season, the Packers focused on endurance and technique for their Day 3 picks, emphasizing pass-rush depth over raw explosiveness, reflecting their strategy to build around a system-specific structure.
In the Packers roster, players like Matthew Golden, a wide receiver, and possible future draft picks, are examples of players who, like Rashan Gary before them, were refined mid-round picks, with Gutekunst's strategy demonstrating a focus on player development and system-specific roles over perceived "freak athletes."
For the Packers, general manager Brian Gutekunst's decision to select Matthew Golden at the 23rd overall pick, a wide receiver, was worth salivating over, as he would perfectly fill the gap required by the team and provide an alpha presence that Love's squad has been searching for.
In American football, especially in the NFL, having players who can complement their team and the system they play, like the Packers' wide receiver Matthew Golden, is as important as having raw talent, as coach Matt LaFleur himself needs defenders who can execute specific assignments, favoring polished technical skills over untapped physical potential.