The Green Bay Packers’ recent purging of older players has, in fact, affected everyone. The “Grim Reaper” that general manager Brian Gutekunst has become for players over 30, from David Bakhtiari to franchise icons Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, has affected everyone. And that’s what the NFL does.
As the Packers now have a bit of a hole off the edge where Preston Smith used to be, they will need to maintain their goal of drafting and developing young guys, which they have done well in previous years (with a few exceptions, of course).
The Packers essentially handed Smith away when he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers just before the 2024 NFL trading deadline. In addition to setting the financial stage for the future, this decision was made to provide Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness even more opportunities.
Which edge players may the Packers consider replacing Smith in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft?
Rushers on the edge Preston Smith 1 might be a target for the Packers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Georgia’s Mykel Williams
Athleticism and adaptability are two qualities that we know Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves more than others. Fortunately for the Packers, Mykel Williams should test extraordinarily well at the NFL Scouting Combine and/or on his Pro Day. The Packers have an athletic threshold that they will almost never compromise.
What else is a favorite of Gutekunst? Georgia Bulldogs. He purchased Javon Bullard, Devonte Wyatt, Quay Walker, and Eric Stokes with premium choices.
RELATED: The Packers’ pass-rush issue may be explained by Preston Smith’s trade request.
Williams has demonstrated throughout his career at Georgia that he is a dynamic defensive threat who can disrupt from a variety of formations. Despite the fact that his stats aren’t particularly impressive, many NFL fans are rather impressed with Williams’s potential.
This season, he has been recovering from an ankle ailment, and lately, he has become more active.
2. Texas A & M’s Nic Scourton
Nic Scourton resembles Preston Smith in both appearance and style, as Smith did when he was graduating from Mississippi State. Although he is larger than average for an edge player, he has exceptional length off the edge and a range of pass-rush techniques.
Prior to moving this year to Texas A&M, where he has established himself as one of the top transfer players in the nation, Scourton was a very successful player at Purdue. For good reason, some people think Scourton is now the best edge player available in this draft. He resides behind the scrimmage line.
Whether Scourton will test exceptionally well athletically is the one thing we don’t yet know, which makes him an intriguing possible Packers alternative. In his instance, would they ignore his workout numbers?
3. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr. is now seen as a middle-of-the-pack first-round pick, despite several sources’ winter projections that he would go first overall. Pearce is definitely one of the numerous speculations that are now circulating that this draft class will not have as many legitimate first-round prospects.
To get him, the Packers may need to make a move up.
Pearce may have been among the best in the nation last season and has been dominating opposing quarterbacks all season. All season long, he has been accumulating pressure, and in recent times, the amount of sacks has finally begun to catch up.
Pearce is intriguing because, while being a touch lighter than average (reported at 242 pounds), he has amazing bend and change of direction and is powerful with his power techniques. In the 2025 NFL Draft, he may be among the finest “gets” for any club in need of pass rush assistance.
Leave a Reply