The Unpacking Future Packers countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers invested heavily in security last offseason. Brian Gutekunst left and signed Xavier McKinney in free agency, then drafted Javon Bullard in the second round, traded him for Evan Williams in the fourth, and added Kitan Oladapo in the fifth. With these four in the lineup, the safety position went from threatening to forceful.
With Zayne Anderson expected to hit the open market, the Packers could consider adding another body to that room at the end of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Donovan McMillon is a potential target. The Pittsburgh Panther safety checks in at No. 94 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
After transferring from Florida, McMillon recorded 105 tackles and one tackle for loss in the 2023 season for the Panthers. Last season, McMillon recorded 115 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and eight pass deflections.
“McMillon was the safety that provided the most stability for Pitt’s defense,” said Christopher Carter, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He wasn’t a goal-scoring machine, but he was a player who often picked up loose ends and made key tackles that kept the defense from conceding a goal or stopping to send them off.”
McMillon provides physical safety and is at his best when playing north-south. He is an lively run defender and makes his presence felt at the line of scrimmage. According to Pro Football Focus, he has recorded 48 stops over the last two seasons. He approaches the ball at an appropriate angle and needs to maintain better balance when entering the pitch. He has had 26 missed tackles over the last two seasons.
“McMillon’s main strengths come out on the run,” Carter said. “He’s a former wrestler who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to land a big punch or take down most runners if he finds them in a hole.”
McMillon has loose movement skills and is good at passing the ball. The transfer to Florida is physical at the fishing point. He has closing speed that allows him to hide brief passes and limit them to minimal gains.
“McMillon loves to jump and run around men,” Carter said. “He could use some improvement in route anticipation to protect the ball and get more turnovers, but when he runs with receivers, he challenges them the whole way.”
During his college career, McMillon recorded 615 special teams snaps and 13 special teams tackles.
Fits the Packers
The packers are set in a secure position. With McKinney, Williams and Bullard, there won’t be many scoring opportunities when the defense is on the field.
Enter McMillon.
With his physicality and special teams experience, McMillon was able to step in from day one and provide an immediate impact on special teams while also providing depth at the free safety position.
“McMillon is a good choice as a defender or center back,” Carter said. “If an NFL general manager needs a physically strong linebacker who plays fast and flies to make hits, McMillon is a solid candidate.”
The safety position is likely at the bottom of Gutekunst’s offseason to-do list. That doesn’t mean they won’t want to replace Anderson on the roster if the Packers don’t re-sign him.
McMillon has the makings of a player who can have a long career as a starter on special teams.
