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.
Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie are expected to hit the open market this offseason. The veteran linebackers collectively played over 1,200 snaps for the team Green Bay Packers this season.
With two veterans heading into free agency, it’s protected to assume the Packers will look to add depth to this room by adding a player on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
A player Brian Gutekunst could target is Jack Kiser. The Notre Dame linebacker checks in at No. 91 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Kiser, a native of Indiana, had a breakout campaign in 2021 when he recorded 45 tackles, including one for a loss, broke up five passes and had a pair of pick-sixes. The following season he recorded 58 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2023, Kiser recorded 62 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
Kiser enters the national championship game against Ohio State with 85 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
“Kiser is the driving force behind the Notre Dame football program as the most experienced player on the roster,” said Liam Gaudet, senior editor of The Irish Tribune. “He now plays for the Irish team in 69 football matches, including the 2025 national championship. His selection as captain goes well beyond his playing ability, and his teammates echo that sentiment when asked about Kiser’s leadership. Without a doubt, his experience and maturity will be some of his greatest assets at the next level.”
Kiser’s greatest strength is something that can’t be shown on a RAS graphic and won’t be shown at the NFL Scouting Combine or at Notre Dame’s Pro Day. He is a leader and will impress teams during the interview process. His football instincts are at their peak and he is ready to do the grubby work.
During his tenure in South Bend, Kiser recorded 965 snaps against special teams and 14 tackles. With his great teams mentality, Kiser could have a long career as a special teams starter.
“Kiser’s ability to fight is undoubtedly his greatest strength,” Gaudet said. “He has a very low tackle miss rate, around four percent, and while he may not jump off the screen as an elite athlete, the importance of his confident tackling allowed the Notre Dame defense to rank among the best third downs in college football this season.”
Kiser processes everything quickly. Notre Dame’s linebacker quickly identifies blocking patterns and flies down to fill the gaps. As a downhill athlete, Kiser plays with an appropriate amount of tenacity and an appetite for physical contact. It’s always where it’s supposed to be and it looks for fakes in the back. As a striker, he has a high batting average. According to Professional focus on footballOver the last three seasons, Kiser has recorded just nine missed tackles.
“Kiser’s vision and awareness translates into impeccable gap integrity,” Gaudet said. “Al Golden’s defensive system is known to be demanding on players, relying on intelligence and discipline, and Kiser plays his role admirably. If you watch film of the Service Academy games this season, Kiser has shined downhill. He knows his responsibility and rarely makes mistakes when it comes to executing a play.
Kiser’s instincts shine in coverage. He’s not the most athletic center back, but he has a keen understanding of how teams try to attack defenses and get themselves into position to make plays. The Notre Dame linebacker is a high-impact tackler who finished last season with 18 pressures and two sacks.
“Kiser’s ability to cover may be the most overlooked aspect of his game,” Gaudet said. “He shows a great sense of sinking into his zone and does well in man-to-man situations against running backs and tight ends. He showed good ball-handling skills when targeted, making a career-high four interceptions, and was robbed of a game-changing interception against Penn State in the Orange Bowl. His most impressive pass rush came against Wisconsin in 2021, where he intercepted a swing pass with great speed and returned it for a touchdown. He probably won’t be someone you actively avoid as a target, but he has more than good range capabilities due to his experience and knowledge of the game.”
Fits the Packers
The Packers used a pair of Day 2 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on linebackers. They drafted Edgerrin Cooper in the second round and added Ty’Ron Hopper in the third round.
Cooper looks like a future star, while Hopper logged 277 special teams snaps and could play a more significant role in year two.
After spending two second-day picks in the linebacker room a year ago, it’s tough to imagine a world in which Gutekunst adds another linebacker to the Top 100 during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Kiser would provide quality for Walker, Cooper and Hopper while providing an immediate impact on special teams.
“Choosing Kiser would be seen as an extremely safe choice,” Gaudet said. “His experience in a very intricate defense, often compared to the NFL style of play, would shorten the adaptation period from school to professional. With a player like Kiser, you know what you’re getting when it comes to his floor, and he’s a talented forward with incredible knowledge of the game who won’t struggle in intricate defensive sets.
Kiser has football radar and is a reliable striker. With his instincts, toughness and special teams experience, Kiser could be high on Green Bay’s board at the end of Day 3 as the team looks for depth and special teams aid.
