General manager Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers had a tough go of it in the 2025 NFL Draft. Heck, their rookie class from this past draft was recently ranked the very worst in all of the NFL.
That’s not good.
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Gutekunst selected eight players in the 2025 NFL Draft. He started with wide receiver Matthew Golden with pick No. 23 in the first round and wrapped up with offensive lineman John Williams with pick No. 250.
Who?
Exactly.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky and ESPN Research, the Packers got just 2,167 total snaps from their rookies in 2025. That breakdown included 1,087 snaps on offense (20th in the league), 726 on defense (23rd in the league), and 354 on special teams (28th in the league).
Selected as the first, first-round wideout since Javon Walker in 2002, Golden had just one regular-season game with more than six targets. His first touchdown of the campaign came in Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
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Third-round wideout Savion Williams played just 142 snaps on offense. The defensive trio of defensive end Barryn Sorrell (pick No. 142), Collin Oliver (pick No. 159) and Warren Brinson (pick No. 198) played just a combined 565 snaps.
Cornerback Micah Robinson (pick No. 237) finished the season with the Tennessee Titans.
So yes, it’s not a great class, at least not yet (there is certainly potential).
You’ll notice that one player, in particular, hasn’t been mentioned yet, though. That would be second-round draft pick Anthony Belton, whom Gutekunst selected with pick No. 54 out of NC State.
Jun 11, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Anthony Belton (71) participates in the team’s minicamp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images.
Belton started the season as a backup tackle but was moved to right guard after Elgton Jenkins was injured. The Packers moved Sean Rhyan to center to replace Jenkins and Belton slid over to guard, where he arguably found his calling.
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In fact, Demovsky believes that change is going to be permanent for the Packers.
“Belton looks like the right guard of the future,” Demovsky wrote.
Belton checks in at a massive 6-foot-6, 336 pounds. According to PFF, he was first amongst all NFL guards in sacks allowed (ZERO), 24th in hits allowed (two), and 35th in total pressures allowed with just 23.
Gutekunst may have struck out quite a bit in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he seemingly hit with Belton.
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