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.
Joshua Gray is one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Oregon State prospect played 56 games in Corvallis, 44 of which he started on the left wing and 12 at left guard.
Battle-tested offensive linemen could be a Day 3 target for the Green Bay Packers and rank 96th in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Gray arrived at Oregon State as a three-star recruit out of California and started at left tackle in 2020 as a redshirt freshman. After making 44 straight starts on the left wing, Gray kicked inside at left guard in his final season as a Beaver.
“Not only was Gray the best lineman on the roster for much of his long stay at Oregon State, but he was also loyal to the program at a time when it needed leadership the most,” said 247sports reporter Carter Bahns. “When most of the team’s top players entered the transfer portal due to a coaching change and a move away from the established Pac-12, Gray returned for his senior year and became a longtime team captain. His blocking ability made him a star, but his intangibles made him Oregon State’s all-time great player.
It’s no secret that NFL teams love offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and the Packers have had plenty of success turning college offensive tackles into pro-level defenders. While Gray never took a mid-game photo, he did listed as a center on the Shrine Bowl website and will likely get a look at center, linebacker and tackle during Shrine Bowl week in Texas.
“The majority of Gray’s career was spent on the left wing, where he was the most valuable asset to an offensive line that consistently ranked among the most elite units in the country and was a contender for the Joe Moore Award,” Bahns said. “However, his NFL projections favored him on the interior, so he moved to the reserve before his senior year at Oregon State. The Beavers emphasized versatility and taught all of their offensive linemen to play multiple positions, which helped Gray succeed at the defensive end.
Gray is a powerful runblocker who aggressively uses his hands to initiate contact. He plays with the right to be relentless in abusing defenders. The 56-game starter can move in space and looks as agile as a puller.
“Run blocking has always been Gray’s strong point,” Bahns said. “Oregon State has consistently boasted one of the fastest offenses in the country throughout his career. His Pro Football Focus blocking grade ranked 8th in the Pac-12 in 2021 and 3rd in 2022.”
Gray has seen it all. He is alert in pass protection and keeps his head down. He is patient with his passing sets and uses well-timed punches to get into the frame of the attackers. According to PFFGray gave up one sack and 13 pressures while playing his recent position of left guard last season.
“What Gray lacks in elite NFL teams coveting in receivers, he makes up for in sheer athleticism and effort, which is evident in pass protection,” Bahns said. “He blocked passes on the blind side year after year because of his high motor, discipline and explosiveness.”
Fits the Packers
Green Bay’s offensive line depth was tested in their wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Jordan Morgan already on the bench with an injury, the Packers had to turn to Travis Glover first after starting left guard Elgton Jenkins left the game with an injury. After the rookie fell victim to a tackle, the Packers turned to Kadeem Telfort.
With Josh Myers heading into free agency, it’s a unthreatening bet that Brian Gutekunst will be targeting an offensive lineman or two in the offseason.
Gray is probably not someone you’d want to play full-time on the left wing, but he can kick strenuous when needed and potentially offers versatility across five positions.
“Gray is a proven standout performer at multiple offensive line positions who has developed over a six-year career under one of college football’s greatest offensive line coaches, Jim Michalczik,” Bahns said. “He is as refined and experienced as any college lineman. This, plus the fact that he is an exemplary teammate and long-time captain, makes him the complete package who should make an impact early in his professional career.”
Brian Gutekunst managed to find good offensive linemen on the third day of the draft, selecting players such as Myers, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker Jon Runyan Jr.
With his versatility, experience, run-blocking ability and football IQ, Gray could be high on Green Bay’s board during Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
