Let me start by saying, "May the Fourth be with you all." I've been passionate about two things since I was a kid: the Green Bay Packers and Star Wars. When the NFL had licensing for teams to create Star Wars-related merchandise, you bet I was all over the Star Wars Packers memorabilia. I own two t-shirts, a pennant, a few magnets, and if you follow me on social media, I'm sure you've seen my favorite, a Darth Vader Packers beer glass. Today, I will have Star Wars films or series on TV whenever possible. If you are also a fan, I hope last night you left out blue milk and cookies for Santa Vader, and he made all your May the Fourth dreams come true. 

Santa Vader came early for the Packers this year, or maybe it was Santa Gutekunst. Whomever it was, they dropped off an exciting 2025 draft class for the Packers that we can't wait to see take the field in the Fall. They also had help from Mark Murphy, who helped put on one heck of an NFL draft a week ago that will be remembered for many years to come. 

Let's start with that draft in Green Bay. For years, we've watched the draft in different NFL cities and listened to the home crowds cheer on their team's draft picks and sometimes groan or scream out in terror. I'm looking at you, New York. This year, it was our turn. Every single Packers pick announcement was greeted with an eruption of cheers followed by "Go Pack Go" chants. It was truly an excellent time. I made the trip up to Green Bay for Friday and part of Saturday, having the privilege to be present for the Packers' 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks. For every draft since about 2005 or 2006, I've had my eyes and ears glued to any form of media that will tell me who the Packers' latest pick was. To be there in person was a surreal experience that I'll remember forever.

But enough about the draft itself, let's get to that draft class. 

Leading up to the draft, I had that sneaking suspicion that this would be the year the Packers finally drafted a wide receiver in the first round. But history, and maybe just the thought that I was only wishing for it, made me doubt that suspicion. Well, it happened. I have to admit that Matthew Golden was not on my radar. Why? Because I viewed Golden as the 3rd best receiver in the draft, and I did not think he would fall to the Packers at 23. Golden is a reliable catcher and is very dynamic with the ball in his hands. I don't know if I'd say Golden is automatically WR1 on the Packers, but I think he could have the potential to become just that over time. What a pick for the Packers to make in Green Bay to give the fans that "sexy" first-round pick for the first time in forever. 

I guess Brian Gutekunst was looking at his draft board when the pick came, saw Matthew Golden and said, "He is the chosen one, you must see it."

Next up, we have the two players I got to see announced in person on night 2. Many thought that offensive lineman Anthony Belton was a reach in the second round. I understand that everyone pays attention to the media's draft boards and sometimes uses those as gospel, but you need to understand that each team doesn't care about what the media says. Each team's draft board is made up of their evaluations, and they base those rankings on how a player would fit in their system, fit in their culture. The player that Mel Kiper says is the best available may not fit in the Packers' scheme, or perhaps the team has some questions on how they'd adapt to life in Green Bay, so they have them listed a bit lower. It was brutally obvious this year that these experts have no clue what they're talking about. As a player, many of them projected to land in the top 15 fell to the 5th round. 

I like the Belton pick. I've watched other teams in the NFC build a bully on offense and wished the Packers would do that, too. Now it seems like they may be doing that. Belton is a physical lineman who can impose his will on a defender. Of course, as it seems to be the standard in Green Bay, Belton can play tackle and guard. I think Brian Gutekunst once opened a fortune cookie that said, "versatility will lead to success" or something, and has taken it to heart ever since. Belton is a massive presence, but he is also quite nimble for his size. He may not be a starter in year 1, but he will play a big role on the Packers' line in the future. 

The Savion Williams pick in the 3rd round surprised me. But not in a bad way. After the selection of Matthew Golden in the first round, I was just rather surprised to see another receiver so high. But it's easy to see that the Packers are very intrigued by his play-making abilities. I don't like to call players "gadget players" because I feel it sounds like they're only good at trick plays or being lined up in an area they normally wouldn't or something. While Williams will be good at this, he can also line up as a standard receiver and have success. Williams logged 84 snaps in the backfield at TCU. It could be interesting to see him line up with Josh Jacobs next to Jordan Love on occasion. 

The last draft pick I'm going to talk about is the last one I was able to see drafted in person, Barryn Sorrell. I don't think Hollywood could write this script because they'd see it as too unrealistic. I showed up to day 3 of the draft with the thought that I'd stay for the fourth round, maybe the Packers' fifth-round pick, and take off on the two-hour drive home. I don't think I've ever seen a fourth-round pick walk the stage and shake hands with the commissioner. So, I didn't expect to see any draft pick walk the stage on Saturday. But it happened. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. And the team that chose him was the hometown team. When Barryn Sorrell walked onto that stage, he instantly became a Packers fan favorite. The way he made his way to stand on the stage in the middle of the crowd and later got the chance to make a Lambeau Leap inside the stadium, no Packer fan in attendance nor one watching on TV will ever forget that. 

Sorrell has a high motor and a great work ethic that will help him a lot in the NFL. He's productive and reliable, and I think his draft day experience may ramp up his attitude even more. He's ready to run through a wall for the Green Bay Packers. 

Undrafted Free Agents

The Packers have signed ten undrafted free agents who will battle for their spot on the roster or the practice squad this spring and summer. But one in particular sticks out to me. 

It sounds silly, but one of the first places I learn about rookies coming into the NFL is Madden football. You might ask, "How could you learn about these players from there when they're not in the game?" Well, there are folks out there who spend a lot of time creating draft classes for download into the game for use in Franchise mode. The draft position of players tends to be inaccurate for those in the mid-2nd to 7th round range, but I don't use it for accuracy; I just like to learn player names and positions, and that takes me into whether or not I think they could be Packers or not. 

Well, one of these players for me is DT Nazir Stackhouse. In my Madden franchise, Stackhouse was a 5th-round pick, and I grabbed him to replace TJ Slaton, who, like in real life, didn't resign with the Packers for the 2025 season. It's funny how sometimes these prospects that intrigue me in the game end up being on the Packers over time. 

In real life, Stackhouse is plain and simple, an unmovable force on the inside. He's tough to move, and if lined up like a nose tackle, he could eat up blocks, allowing other defenders to make plays. He could be a good replacement for TJ Slaton over time. 

With every draft class and even every class of undrafted free agents, it's exciting to watch those first steps of players who could be stars for the Packers for years to come. Good luck, and may the force be with them to become the next Lambeau Legends.