Continuing on my path to an early look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft for the Green Bay Packers, it’s time to take a look at the linebacker position with 10 names to keep an eye on for the 2024 college football season.
Pro Football Focus recently reviewed all 11 positions and selected the top 10 draft prospects from each. Here’s who they chose at linebacker. For more information on each player, click Here.
Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky
Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Jay Higgins, Iowa
Jaisahwn Barham, Michigan
Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
Jacek Kiser, Notre Dame
The Green Bay Packers linebacker has some unknowns going into the 2024 season, and of course, penniless play could drastically change the perception of the position group next offseason.
With that said, at this point, it’s difficult to imagine the Packers selecting an early-round pick in this position group next April.
First, Jeff Hafley’s defense should support with some of the work in terms of putting defenders in position to make plays more often. The entire defense is focused on running and hitting, not reading and reacting.
Additionally, Quay Walker is still under contract through the 2025 season, and the Packers will have the option to pick up his fifth option for the 2026 season.
Green Bay also selected Edgerrin Cooper with a second-round pick in this year’s draft and selected Ty’Ron Hopper with a third-round pick.
Depth will likely be needed now, but how much depends on what happens with the Packers’ current group of linebackers, who will become free agents in 2025.
Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch are currently playing with expiring contracts. Earlier this season, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that switching to a 4-3 defense might require the Packers to have additional defenders compared to when they were running a 3-4 scheme.
The Packers currently have seven official picks in next year’s draft, one in each round, and are projected to receive a pick to compensate for the loss of Yosh Nijman in free agency, which would give them a total of eight picks.
