The 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a celebration of football in the state. With Lambeau Field as a stunning backdrop, the Badgers were well-represented during the event. Thirteen program greats, including Melvin Gordon, Joe Thomas, Montee Ball and Jonathan Taylor, took center stage to announce picks.

Gordon did so for the Los Angeles Chargers, the team that drafted him No. 15 overall back in 2015. During a radio appearance with ESPN Wisconsin, the Badger legend discussed his extensive ties to the Badger state, plus a notable pre-draft interaction he had with the Packers.

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“The Packers actually sat me down,” Gordon began. “They said, ‘We’re probably not going to draft you. You’re probably going to go a little earlier, you won’t fall to us.’ But we had a little heart-to-heart. That was dope for me, being a Wisconsin kid. We just talked about how good a player I was. If I was to drop to them, there would be a chance. But the Chargers picked me, and that’s that. I can see why people have love and passion for this place. The tradition, just everything.”

Gordon was fresh off a 2014 senior season at Wisconsin that included 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns on 343 carries. He concluded that campaign with a trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, although the award went to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Badger great was one of the top running backs in the 2015 draft, along with Todd Gurley (Georgia). After Gurley went No. 10 overall to the then-St. Louis Rams, then-San Diego Chargers selected Gordon just five picks later.

According to his story, the Packers may have been a landing spot had he fallen near their pick at No. 30. Green Bay ended up taking cornerback Damarious Randall, who played just three years with the team.

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The Packers could have used an elite running back like Gordon over the ensuing seasons. Eddie Lacy (758 yards) was their leading rusher in 2015, then Ty Montgomery (457 yards) in 2016, Jamaal Williams (556 yards) in 2017 and Aaron Jones (728 yards) in 2018.

Gordon finished the first four years of his NFL career with 641, 997, 1,105 and 885 yards, respectively. He also scored 38 total touchdowns (28 rushing, 10 receiving) during that time.

The former Badger running back falling to the Packers is an interesting ‘what-if’ for fans of football in the state. It would have taken a considerable drop from No. 15, though Gordon says there would have been interest had that drop occurred.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Melvin Gordon Green Bay Packers NFL draft story