With Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season almost here, many teams have already turned their attention to the offseason. Fortunately, with a 9-3 record and an almost certain playoff berth, the Green Bay Packers are not one of them.
However, with many teams either not making the playoffs or very close to making them, and with the college football regular season ending this past weekend, Talks about the 2025 NFL Draft will begin to gain momentum.
“Professional focus on football” Trevor Suremother recently released a three-round mock draftwith an analysis of the first 32 types. Even though the Packers still have a lot of significant football ahead of them, now is a good time to take a moment to identify some positions they could address in next year’s draft.
Let’s take a quick look at Sikemma’s three choices:
1.27: CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Height: 6-3
Weight: 193
Sikkema: “Revel’s course will largely depend on how well his knee heals after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament this season. While his tape reveals some inexperience and inconsistencies that will require development at the next level, his starting size, speed and ball skills make him a valuable first-round prospect.”
Breakdown: The Packers waited until the seventh round to take a corner in the 2024 draft, despite another injury-plagued season for Jaire Alexander and uncertainty over who would take corner No. 2. Well, many of those who thought it was a needed position last season, it’s starting to look good. Alexander is once again struggling with injuries, and while Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes all had some good moments, none of them are long-term options.
Before his season-ending injury, Revel had two interceptions in three games. As a junior, he recorded 54 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception, 13 passes defended and a defensive touchdown. Revel is an intriguing prospect with the right height, length and ball production who could develop into a perfect complement to Jeff Hafley’s defense.
2:59: DT Deone Walker, Kentucky
Height: 6-6
Weight: 345
Breakdown: It’s always good to invest in the trenches, and with TJ Slaton entering the final year of his rookie contract, Green Bay could apply another solid player. Walker, a three-year starter at Kentucky, is one of those prospects you can’t assist but notice when he steps on the field. He is surprisingly agile for a player his size, thanks to his experience as a basketball player. Walker can take two breaks in the running game and fold in the pocket as a pass rusher. He had a breakout season in 2023 when he recorded 55 tackles, 13 for loss and 7.5 sacks. Walker has attracted more attention from opposing teams this season, but he still recorded 37 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also led the Wildcats in pressure in back-to-back seasons, according to PFF. Walker would have a chance to play right away if he proves he can make three turnovers.
3.91: RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Height: 5-9
Weight: 210
Summary: A quarterback using a third-round pick two years in a row would certainly be a surprise. Even though rookie MarShawn Lloyd has only played in one game this season, he still has a radiant future ahead of him. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Wilson has done a tremendous job at the RB2 position behind one of the most productive defensemen in the league, Josh Jacobs. I’m not sure the Packers would need to spend another Day 2 on another cornerback, but Monangai is certainly intriguing. In subsequent seasons, he recorded 28 touchdowns over 1,200 yards. As a runner, Monangai has shown great speed, contact balance and the ability to create huge plays, with 67 runs of at least 10 yards since 2023, according to PFF. He also enjoys pass protection, which is a required skill in the Packers’ backfield. While running back isn’t a glaring need in Green Bay, Monangai has a radiant future ahead of him as a potential starter.
