The Packers' Youth Needs to Grow Up
"Draft and Develop" means nothing if the development never happens
By GregMeinholz
There's a phrase that Packer fans have grown accustomed to. Some may loathe the phrase, but it's been a philosophy of the Green Bay Packers for almost two decades. That phrase would be "draft and develop." In a nutshell, while some teams will get their stars from free agency and trades, the Packers prefer their talent to be home-grown. They'll sign free agents to fill holes here and there on their roster, but if the Packers have their preference, they'd much rather reinforce their roster with talent on a rookie contract that could develop into a star than pay a newcomer a king's ransom. It pays off when those players develop into what they were projected to be or better. But when they don't, it tends to make the whole process a bit of a waste of time.
It seems like every single season we're hearing the phrase "The Packers have one of the youngest, if not THE youngest roster in the league." And sure, it's nice to have success with that young roster and think about what might happen a few years down the road when they have more experience under their belts. Well, sometimes that time never comes. Those high-ceiling young players are serviceable, but that high ceiling becomes a bit of a pipe dream or even an evaluation failure down the road when the player doesn't even come close to that projection.
Heading into the 2025 season, there are many players the Packers raved about having a high ceiling now entering their third or fourth seasons without even scratching the surface. Sane fans know to give most rookies a year or two to truly come into their own before labeling their selection a mistake. That time has come. You can't be a "project" player forever. Eventually, the project has to be turned in for grading. And if it's a failing grade, then a new direction needs to be taken.
For others, it's not that they've failed; they might be one of the shining bright spots on the roster. But even those shining bright spots have a next level, stardom. There are plenty of players on this roster who have been producing, but they can do more.
Having the youngest roster in the league means nothing if, a few years later, that youth is still in the same place they were before. It's time to grow up.
Taking that next step
When one thinks about development in a football sense, they normally would only think about a first or second-year player getting better. But it can be true for the entire roster. Now, when one thinks about the greatest Packers wide receivers of all time, many names come to mind. One name that likely fits most top-5 lists, or at least top-7, is Jordy Nelson. Rightfully so, Nelson was the definition of a reliable weapon in the early to mid-2010s. But Nelson, an early second-round pick in 2008, didn't quite have his big breakout until his fourth season in 2011. So, an average first three seasons turned into a legendary career afterwards. What if you were told that, statistically, despite playing in seven fewer games, Christian Watson had about as many catches as Jordy Nelson did in his first three seasons, but almost 400 more receiving yards, and eight more receiving touchdowns? Granted, Jordy Nelson was on a roster with several more-established receivers in his first few years than Christian Watson has been, but it's still worth noting that sometimes further development and results can happen even after a few seasons.
What players need to do some growing up in 2025?
Jayden Reed
Reed is arguably the top receiver on the Packers' roster entering 2025. But that's not enough. Everyone talks about last year's drops, well, without those drops, he could've had his first career 1K-yard season receiving. Reed is a highly productive receiver, but he could be on the cusp of stardom in 2025 if he takes the next step.
Tucker Kraft
2024 seemed like a coming-out party for Tucker Kraft. He had a good rookie season, but that second year was his way of showing he would be a force to reckon with. Like Jayden Reed, however, Tucker Kraft could be on the cusp of stardom. He could be one of the top tight ends in the league. It's time to make that happen.
Jordan Love
In 2023, Love proved he was legit. 2024, however, set him back a bit. It's said that an injury suffered in the first game of the season essentially hampered Love all of 2024. Well, it's time to prove that to be true. If Jordan Love goes off in 2025, he will take that leap towards stardom. If he doesn't, there's a chance we hear about Quarterback controversies in the 2026 offseason.
Dontayvion Wicks
"He reminds me of Davante Adams at this point in his career." Many are guilty of making these comments about Dontayvion Wicks after a drop-filled 2024. Wicks doesn't need to become a star in 2025, but he needs to prove he's better than he's shown as of late.
Luke Musgrave
It's as if Tucker Kraft became the tight end we thought Luke Musgrave was going to be. Musgrave has had injuries sort of derail the last year and a half of his career. Before that, though, he looked like a promising young tight end. In 2025, it would be nice for Musgrave to at least match the energy of his rookie season and a bit more. Two tight end sets with him and Kraft should be a defense's nightmare.
Lukas Van Ness
This one is drowning in obviousness. The former number 13 overall pick needs to have a good third season, or the clock is going to run out. In 2025, it's as if the stage is set for him to run away with it. The Packers, needing to improve the pass rush, didn't really touch it at all. Instead, they talked about improvement from the players they have, and they drafted a few possible pass rushers in the middle rounds. The edge rushing assignment opposite Rashan Gary is Van Ness's for the taking; it's time he steps up and makes his number 90 famous.
Devonte Wyatt
I've written about the Packers' first-round draft picks seconds after their name was called every draft for the last four years. This all started with Devonte Wyatt. He was anticipated to be the running mate Kenny Clark sorely needed. Wyatt would take pressure off Clark, and both would wreak havoc on the interior of offenses across the league. But it hasn't quite been that way. Wyatt has shown a few flashes here and there, but nothing to be considered a big threat. It's time for Devonte Wyatt to make opposing offenses know his name and make them need to account for him every single play.
Quay Walker
Walker is the epitome of draft and develop. A player labeled an athletic freak, taken early, we all knew he wouldn't be a star in year 1. But we thought he might be at least by the end of year 3. Walker needs to step up and show some kind of promise in year 4, or he will likely not be on the Packers' roster much longer.
Many more names could still be mentioned. But these may be the top 8. To achieve greatness, you must strive for it every day. It's not enough to be "a starter." You need to focus on what you need to do to get better, no matter what position you're in. The Green Bay Packers' youth has its path laid out in front of it. Hopefully, they follow and take the next step.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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Comments (47)
HawkPacker
July 01, 2025 at 10:32 am
'Walker is the epitome of draft and develop. A player labeled an athletic freak, taken early, we all knew he wouldn't be a star in year 1. '
I don't agree with this comment. As he was picked in round 1, I thought he would be excellent that first year.
Leatherhead
July 01, 2025 at 11:09 am
I think if you draft a guy and he gives you a lot of good snaps over the season, then he was a good pick, regardless of where he was taken in the draft.
Let's take the example of the 2022 draft. We took Walker and Wyatt in the first, the other Walker in the 2nd. All three of these guys, when healthy, have been good players for us, but they've all had some health issues, because that's to be expected.
Then we took Rhyan, who didn't contribute as a rookie, but worked his way into the lineup his second year and was a starter on one of the league's better Olines his third season.
Then, on Day 3, we got some breaks (and maybe some good scouting). Doubs, who's been our main contributor at WR over the last three seasons. Tom, a very good lineman, and Enagbare who has played in 51 games and who consistently plays over 40% of the snaps on defense and special teams.
In the 7th round, we drafted 4 guys. Three didn't really work out, but Rasheed Walker did, in a big way,
If a guy is a player, he's a player, and it shouldn't be "He should be better because of where he was selected".
I rarely expect any rookie to be "excellent" right out of the box. Not even somebody like Golden. When it happens, like with Cooper, then that's great, but mostly I just want the rookies to get a season of playing against NFL veterans, and a season of working with the coaches .
TKWorldWide
July 01, 2025 at 05:53 pm
The other Walker in the 2nd was Watson, right?
LLCHESTY
July 01, 2025 at 11:23 pm
He's on a roll just go with it!
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 11:37 am
Walker was always the guy with traits that needed polishing. Dean was the NFL ready guy at Georgia in most people’s view. Walker had everything but consistency: he flashed but never quite put it together. He had shown growth but more was needed.
Tony Pauline put it this way, but roughly in Line with the consensus that Walker was a guy who could help now but would be a pick for as yet untapped potential:
“Walker is an athletic linebacker who showed a lot of progress in his game the past two seasons and comes with a large upside. He possesses skill, versatility, and the athleticism to be used at inside or outside linebacker. Walker possesses tremendous upside and has the tools to develop into a starting three-down linebacker on Sundays.”
As with Wyatt, Walker was definitely seen as a pick made primarily because of his future upside, not the be potential to be a star from the outset but because he could develop into a truly elite player if things went well. I do fear Barry was not the best Coach or scheme architect to help him. Hafley seems far more adept.
Personally, I am looking forward to seeing if, in his second year with Hafley and another talent next to him in Cooper, we start to see the potential being justified. I understood the gamble at the time, but those gambles are just that. We are now at the tipping point where we find out if it was a good one (as we are with his co-first round pick, Wyatt).
LLCHESTY
July 01, 2025 at 11:46 pm
I'd give Wyatt a better chance to turn out. Stats wise he already has, just needs to stay healthy and improve vs the run. His 24% pressure rate in pure passing snaps last year points to him getting paid, by the Packers or somebody else. Hopefully he can take the step into All Pro territory.
ricky
July 01, 2025 at 10:42 am
Rather than "draft and develop", it seems the Packers like to pick the "best athlete available". The question being, shouldn't they be drafting the best football players available? LVN was nicknamed "Hercules" for his physique. But rather than that, how about a quick twitch first step, and several pass moves to keep offensive linemen guessing?
As far as drops, remember how frustrating James Jones was for years. One play he'd make a spectacular catch in tight coverage. Two plays later, he'd let a ball get into his body with no one around him. A mixture of promising younger football players and vets make for a stable, contending team. That, and don't overpay one side of the team (like Cincy does with their offense) so you have only half a team.
Oppy
July 01, 2025 at 02:14 pm
Packers fans really latched on to the "Hercules" moniker, but I've never seen functional gameday strength at the NFL level that warrants anyone thinking LVN's game is power. So far, in the NFL, he's just a guy. He desperately needs to learn how to play the game with technique if he's going to become the player the Packers hoped he might.
Leatherhead
July 01, 2025 at 04:21 pm
So far, in the NFL, he's had a better career than Aaron Kampman did after two years.
I could name some others. Josh Sweat, who just signed a big FA contract, was 'just a guy'. Chase Young had 10 sacks in his first three seasons, never has had more than 8 sacks in a season, just signed a $51M deal.
Dayo Odebingbo, another DE, got a 3 year deal from the Bears for $48M...after his first two years, he had 6 sacks and 37 tackles. His big year was his third year when he got 8 sacks and 22 solo tackles. Last year, he got
3 sacks, 13 solo tackles. In 14 starts. How much are we paying Van
Ness?
Over and over, you see guys who just kept getting better in their 3rd, 4th, seasons. I know I was physically stronger at 25 than I was at 21 or 23 and I'd assume it works the same way for these guys. Plus, when you're 21, you're going against a 25 year old vet, but when you're a 25 year old vet, you're going against a 21 year old rookie.
Oppy
July 01, 2025 at 04:43 pm
Aaron Kampman, 4-3 DE who had different responsibilities?
I'm all for development of players. My track record here will bear that out to the Nth degree, but LVN hasn't shown much spark or development thus far. Tenacity is probably his best trait, and it's a great trait to have, but he has shown zero star quality at this point in his career.
While I sincerely hope "the light goes on", I have little tangible proof on the field that he will be a plus player at this point. Just doesn't look like he's got that it factor.
Sorry you don't like my opinion. Hopefully he lights up the league and you can take a victory lap. My biggest fear is he doesn't show consistent plus play by this time next year and the Packers gamble on a 5th year option and end up with another Darnell Savage.
Leatherhead
July 01, 2025 at 05:05 pm
Yes, Kampman, who played DE, unlike Van Ness, who was changed to a 4-3 DE. That guy.
The three top DE free agents last summer weren't any better than Van Ness at 23. If Van Ness is EXACTLY as productive the next two years that he's been the first two, he won't be given a 5th year option, and he'll leave in FA for $20M/year.
Look at the guy Chicago signed. He was WORSE than Van Ness last year and signed for $48M over three years.
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 05:47 pm
Kampman was a 5th rounder, 21st pick in that round. So the comparison you are drawing is somewhat unreasonable in terms of draft investment.
Furthermore, while Kampman didn’t set the league alight from the outset, he did contribute to the team: he started 6 games managing 24 tackles as in 2002 and 12 games in 2003 (29 tackles), so a useful role player for a 5th rounder, nothing more to that point. However, he started to make an impact in the playoffs that year, leading the NFC with three sacks.
He did not become a true star till 2006 (15.5), his 5th year. If Van Ness is still here for his 5th year, I’d be delighted if he matches that. I’d not be overly unhappy if he matches Kampman’s 4th year 6.5 total this year (his 3rd). Is that unreasonable for a guy picked 4 rounds higher?
.
Oppy
July 01, 2025 at 07:55 pm
I don't care about the other players that were drafted, and I certainly don't care about anyone on the Bears or what they paid.
I'm talking about LVN, the player the Packers used a 1st round pick to acquire, and what he's shown so far on the field. Nothing more, nothing less.
There's no mental gymnastics needed to justify anything. Just my opinion on where LVN's play is at.
LLCHESTY
July 01, 2025 at 11:52 pm
This article by Daire Carragher doesn't fill me with optimism. Just his decreasing snaps in passing situations after Preston was traded points to the Packers losing faith in his ability. Maybe it was just the thumb but I'd feel better if he had spent time in a top flight pass rush school.
"Van Ness occasionally has a tendency to rush upright, short-arming on his approach. He needs to start putting his freakish length to good use more often.
The highlight flashes on Van Ness's film often involved a straight bull rush, using his leverage to angle around the offensive tackle, teeing him up for a violent rip around the outside, almost slingshotting himself into the pocket. But those moments were too few. I could count them on one hand. That level of violence needs to become the standard, not the exception.
Even his bread and butter bull rush needs refining. Particularly his footwork comes across clunky and unprepared. He often gets washed out of plays despite his superior upper-body strength. Compare his bull rush to someone like Khalil Mack, and it's night and day."
https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/article/packers-does-lukas-v...
Cheezehead72
July 01, 2025 at 11:04 am
I remember when the Packers picked Jordy. I did not like the pick. I thought that they did not need to take a WR in the second. That is when I realized that every draft you should be picking at least one WR.
TarynsEyes
July 01, 2025 at 11:30 am
The Packers, overall, do a wonderful job at drafting, but development has many failures. However, there are levels of failure depending on the expectation placed on a particular draftee, with fans being the worst as to placing expectations.
We've been touting the youth of this team for quite some time, and yet, those youths have not come close to expectations. Some are good players who have reached their individual (not expected) ceilings, and some who had an unreachable ceiling (expectation) placed on them falsely.
Development is difficult to achieve, less demand, when your staff seems unable to do that job, or your recruits have limited development talent/ability.
The program isn't a total failure, but it seems to lack the ability to get past what is enjoyed as success, a playoff spot, whether by Division Title or 7th seed.
One problem, and one that is big depending on viewpoint, is the lack of true/real leadership from the process, and even now, we are unsure, admitted or not, whether Love is a true/real leader other than having the benefit to be the QB.
True leaders do not need to worry about their position, and I ask again who on this team doesn't need to worry, outside of contract money (high price), doesn't need to worry about their job this year or next.
Who are the rally around guys/leaders for this team? Who is head and shoulders above what was expected of them, or has reached the expected level since being drafted?
Many expect break out seasons for, what appears to be a long list of hopefuls in this article, while excluding others, however, it tells me that the development isn't up to snuff when the list has so many hopefuls still, while the list of developed to expectation is so lacking, and previous hopefuls depart for many reasons, and development is a big part of those reasons.
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 11:43 am
The LaFleur era has not seen widespread development succeed as yet. Then again, it’s not been an era with a particularly strong coaching staff under him on O or D either in my view. Hopefully Hafley is the game changer on D and some of the newer guys prove to be more productive and we can get back to the developmental progress that preceded him. That wasn’t perfect but it was more credible.
WestCoastPackerBacker
July 01, 2025 at 03:56 pm
How in the heck does GB keep winning enough games to make the playoffs if there has not been widespread development?
The following teams are still trying to find their next QB after their Super Bowl winner left:
NYG
NE
NO
PIT
IND
SEA
Meanwhile GB drafted and developed a guy who in his 1st year starting had:
4000+ passing yards
30+ passing touchdowns
200+ rushing yards
4+ rushing TDs
15 or fewer turnovers
30 or fewer sacks
Only Mahomes has matched that production. If that isn’t draft and develop then I don’t know what is.
Christian Watson is ahead of all the WRs drafted in his year in TDs scored, despite losing time to injury. That’s draft and develop.
A competent starting LT from round 7? That’s a huge value that overshadows other picks that didn’t work out. Zach Tom as a 4th rounder? In a redraft, he’d be a first round pick. That’s draft and develop.
WestCoastPackerBacker
July 01, 2025 at 04:13 pm
The “quite some time” is only 2 seasons. It was just two years ago they bid farewell to:
Rodgers
Cobb
Lazard
Lewis
Amos
Campbell
Crosby
They excelled far beyond my expectations Love’s first year. Last year they had a step back but the D got better. Better health this season would surely help as most of their first round picks were limited somewhat by lingering injuries. (Love, Walker, LVN, Alexander, Wyatt, Clark).
TarynsEyes
July 01, 2025 at 06:09 pm
You confuse retaining need with development. Yes, GB retained many a player, but it doesn't mean the development expectations were met, Rodgers, Cobb, achieved development expectation, Crosby is a kicker and development isn't on the same need. The others were retention players due to need. The others reached a lower ceiling than hoped and were gone. Lazard was the biggest failure, but Rodgers' love for him compelled an overlook of his faults. What about the R Rodgers, Bradford, Wilson, wait, the list is too damn long.
Right now, other than Jacobs and Love, who are the guys that change this team from average to above average? As I've said, GB is the best of the worst, and places them on the brim of playoff eligible, the top of the bottom 16 in the NFC, and why the development failings are ignored. Luckily, many of the other teams suffer from FO, HC, etc dysfunction.
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 06:20 pm
How does this tie into drafting and developing? If any thing it suggests decent draft picks overall plus a few good FA/SFA additions (something Gute has done pretty well at) and a veteran team initially under LaFleur, which of course was true for the most part, with the exception of the WRs initially.
Have those WRs or the current ones actually progressed? We have spent a lot of time hoping they will, so I’d say not as of January. A few picks have come in and been surprises of the positive sort, notably, Tom, Cooper, Kraft, Rasheed Walker, perhaps Williams and Valentine. How many of those have made radical strides since arrival though? They were simply better than expected initially and have just refined that gradually through experience.
Where is the player who was a disappointment who now is anything but? We are hoping Walker, Wyatt and others become that, but where’s the one for whom the light has visibly turned on thus far?
LeotisHarris
July 01, 2025 at 07:01 pm
"Who are the rally around guys/leaders for this team?"
That's a very good question, Taryn. The Packers draft players with histories of leadership, team captains, etc. I'd offer within each position group there's a guy who the others look up to, a guy they don't want to let down, and that leader may not be the best player in the group. What names surface for you when you think about each position group, and overall team leaders?
TarynsEyes
July 01, 2025 at 07:44 pm
That's the problem, I don't, with Jacobs (FA leader) being the exception, and I still need Love to show the leadership that a QB of his pay and position should. Like a lot of things with this team, I wait with controlled optimism to see it sooner than later. How high do these guys need to look up, when they'll all almost the same.
Leadership, team captain in college is nice, but it needs to be earned in the NFL and that's harder, as it should be.
LeotisHarris
July 02, 2025 at 08:23 am
::fistbump::
T7Steve
July 01, 2025 at 11:37 am
"Tucker Kraft could be on the cusp of stardom. He could be one of the top tight ends in the league. It's time to make that happen."
He's the only one on this list that the only thing holding him back is NOT him. Now that we theoretically have a better O-line maybe the play calling will involve him a little more. If he could get 5 targets a game, and more if the D isn't handling him, he'd open up the rest of the offense completely. Like Jacobs running opens up the passing, Kraft can open up both.
GregC
July 01, 2025 at 11:49 am
Agreed that Kraft does not belong on this list. He is already really good and also consistent. It would be nice to see him get more targets, although it probably won't be as many as we would like. In a run-oriented offense, the TE is mainly a blocker.
T7Steve
July 01, 2025 at 12:07 pm
That's why I was thinking maybe 5 targets a game not the usual 2 if he's lucky. That would open up the run and passes to Jacobs even, I think.
LLCHESTY
July 02, 2025 at 08:39 am
He actually averaged a little over 4 per game. 2 more per game would put him right around the average of the top 10 TEs, 105-110 a season.
Snap the ball
July 06, 2025 at 12:57 am
7 or 8 targets
Vachio
July 01, 2025 at 11:42 am
Correction - Tucker Kraft has become the tight end we thought Tucker Kraft would become. He's a beast who gets open, catches damn near everything thrown his way, and breaks tackles on his way to generally punishing defenses.
Musgrave always came with the "if he can stay healthy" asterisk. He's a seam busting matchup nightmare with a ridiculous combination of size and speed...when healthy.
Kraft is a lot like Mark Bavaro, Musgrave is more like Jared Cook.
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 11:46 am
Kraft looks like he could be a whole lot better than anyone I can recall predicted, even those of us who really liked him, of whom I was one. That is particularly true of his balance and ability to do things ball in hand.
jannesbjornson
July 01, 2025 at 12:09 pm
He was the Best Tightend in that draft. The Film doesn't lie.
Oppy
July 01, 2025 at 02:22 pm
On draft day, the only other Packer fan besides myself around here who thought much of Tucker Kraft was Jannes. Well, at least he was the only other person besides myself that was particularly vocal about it.
I put it out there that I thought Kraft would be the TE to have a longer, more productive career than Musgrave when the dust settles, and I was thoroughly dismissed as ignorant around these parts, lol.
Not a complaint, just pointing out I don't think there were many fans around here at the time who thought much of Tucker Kraft's selection other than that he was the 'back up pick' to Musgrave.
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 06:36 pm
Loved the Kraft pick at the time. Love it more now. Never saw Musgrave as a true TE, so the double pick was a nice surprise not a puzzler. That said, Krafts balance, quick feet and attitude have taken him beyond the good all around TE grade I anticipated to a potential star weapon. LaFleur needs to find a way to use him as that more. He’s simply too effective and has displayed so much better hands than the WRs have not to.
Leatherhead
July 01, 2025 at 04:47 pm
I would submit that Kraft got into the lineup because he could get his guy blocked, and when Musgrave got injured then Kraft was the guy. Kraft, whatever he does in the passing game, helps make this running game go. That's what we like in Green Bay (remember Marcedes Lewis? Bubba? Ed West?
The Packers don't throw many passes to the TE. The Packers threw 86 passes to the TEs, 70 of them to Kraft. That's about 5 targets per game, about about 4 going to Kraft. IMO, he deserves more.
League wide, seven TEs got more than 90 targets last year, and Kraft should be one of them. Two more targets per game would put him at 104 targets in a season, which would be more than most TEs get.
Golden and Williams might be great weapons for us. Reed and Wicks might catch every ball. But Kraft is a proven weapon for us. As long as he stays healthy, Musgrave is going to be a backup..
Coldworld
July 01, 2025 at 06:38 pm
Initially he was the blocker, but Musgrave’s injury opened the door and quite a few eyes to his ability to be a threat in his own right. Particularly his balance on the sidelines. Musgrave is a big WR. A bigger, better version of Tonyan, and I hope that role resurfaces and he grabs it.
Green Bay Shareholder
July 01, 2025 at 11:48 am
How many Packer Draft and Develop Pro Bowlers last year ? How Many Packer Pro Bowlers were acquired through Free Agency ?
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
July 01, 2025 at 06:54 pm
Well they were the youngest team in the league. How often does a team that young even make playoffs let alone fill up the pro bowl voting booth? Love still shouldve gotten in over Jayden Daniels or Sam Darnold despite the injuries and decrrase in stats (still had the #5 total QBR which means he was really fricken good), Zack Tom got absolutely robbed, and Elgton Jenkins should be a pro bowl alternate at the least every season. And i dont even care if Edgerrin Cooper didnt start half the year and missed some games. He made more impact plays in a short time than most linebackers make in a career. That's 4 draft picks that all could have and should have been pro bowlers. Not to mention, Jayden Reed was on pace to be a pro bowler before he caught a midseason case of the yips. You shouldnt let a lack of pro bowl selections cloud your judgement of this team. Theyre really young, really fricken good, and likely to keep getting better.
splitpea1
July 01, 2025 at 12:43 pm
I'll try to make this as quick as possible...
It's hard to really quibble too much about the "draft and develop" philosophy on the offensive side of the ball going back many years. As for the current crop of offensive players listed, I'm fairly confident they can take that next step. Remember that a couple of our past QBs and receivers struggled a bit in their second seasons, so forward progress is not always linear.
The problem has been on the defensive side, where we have struggled to draft impact players for over a decade. The combination of relying on athletic traits over other factors, banking on high ceilings, drafting prospects and playing them out of their natural position (i.e., Randall), and less than excellent coaching has contributed to this (ongoing?) situation.
Players drafted in the first three rounds should be as ready as possible to contribute at the NFL level, with the possible exception of the QB. Sure, you want the high ceiling, but there has to be a reasonable floor in place, especially if you're talking about a top-15 pick--where you certainly shouldn't be waiting three or more years for a breakout.
Save the "draft and develop" philosophy for the fourth round and later. Before then, look for the correct balance of a high ceiling and being pro-ready.
dobber
July 01, 2025 at 01:26 pm
Every team says they're a 'draft and develop' team, or that D&D is at the core of their roster plan. It's too hard to consistently manage both your roster and cap if you rely heavily on FAs (the Vikings are starting to find this out). All teams supplement with free agency to some degree.
That said, the Packers went 11-6 in 2024 (this is a quick turnaround from 8-9 and on a downward trajectory in 2022) and their preferred starters--using Packers.com as a reference--in 2024 featured 10 Packers draft picks as starters on offense (only Jacobs was not a draftee) and 9 on defense (Nixon and McKinney). That's 19 of 22 starters, and 15 of those guys were still on first contracts (only Jenkins, Love, Gary, and Clark were draftees not on first contracts). Of those 19 drafted starters, 7 were day 3 picks...so 12 day 1 and day 2 picks (only 1--Clark--was not chosen by Gute) were starting.
I'm someone who frequently says that just because a guy is starting, it doesn't mean he's good. The old "3 starters from each draft is a good draft" mantra doesn't mean much if your guys are starting by default. But the argument here is that the talent floor of this team has been set largely by the draft, and it's gotten better each of the last couple years--it IS stepping up. That said, what this ARTICLE is really saying is that we're waiting for more home run players to emerge. I would argue Gute chases traits early on because he's looking at ceilings--for home runs. There are lots of reasons why guys don't get there: system fit, injury, mental aspects (that don't emerge as readily at lower levels of play), motivation, attitude, and coaching.
So who can still be a home run? Some of these guys are now seeing their potential replacements drafted in behind them. Several of these guys are now playing for their first huge NFL payday in contract 2. Maybe that's what it takes to get that breakout performance.
NFLfan
July 01, 2025 at 01:50 pm
I think it is fairly simple-if a team values development, the coaching staff needs to be superlative.
And, drafting (early rounds) needs to be better at GB
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
July 01, 2025 at 06:38 pm
People talk about Chiefs GM Brett Veach like hes some kind of god. And yet hes struck out on a bunch of his 1st round picks. Why? Because very few drafts have more than 15-20 true 1st round talents which makes drafting in the 20s and 30s no-man's-land. People talk about it like its so easy when even a 3-time super bowl winning gm has gotten it wrong more than 50% of the time. Would be nice if people could just accept and admit that its much harder than they make it out to be.
egbertsouse
July 01, 2025 at 04:48 pm
I hate the phrase “draft and develop.” I prefer the phrase coined by an NFL GM (possibly Bill Polian, I’m not sure) , “ Get ‘em good or get ‘em gone!”
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
July 01, 2025 at 06:33 pm
A big part of the "draft and development" approach requires patience. Unfortunately, many fans expect the development part without any of the patience. For example, LVN is public enemy #1 in Packerland these days. Poor guy has had to learn two completely different defenses (3-4 one year and a 4-3 the next) in his 2 years in the league as well as dealing with a bad thumb injury last year. But does any of that matter? Nope. Lets just label him a bust and declare Gute a terrible gm. The most hilarious irony is those same fans condemning LVN are the same fans demanding they trade for Trey Hendrickson, who had a whopping total of 6.5 sacks combined through his first 3 seasons. For all anyone knows, LVN could be the next Hendrickson but its much easier to just give up on him than it is to be patient. You would think people would've learned their lesson after giving up on Davante Adams too soon only to watch him become one of the best players in franchise history. But historical context and wisdom will lose the battle with emotions every day of the week and twice on sundays.
LLCHESTY
July 02, 2025 at 08:53 am
LVN has played in more games on two years than Hendrickson did in three. Hendrickson did have more starts though, three games to zero. It's wild to think LVN hasn't started a game since high school. If Hendrickson is the comparison we better start seeing top level production from game 4 on.
BuckyBadger
July 02, 2025 at 11:43 am
LVN was very young when drafted. Patience is required when you take a kid that young.
BuckyBadger
July 02, 2025 at 11:42 am
LVN was young when they drafted him knowing he was going to take time. Along with changing defenses you are 100% correct that fans should (but never will) show more patience. Even if he isn't great this year he is gonna get at least 4 years to prove himself. If he pans out the D could be scary good.