The NFL season might still be in full swing, but the rumor mill for the 2025 NFL Draft is already churning. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has set the stage with an early mock draft that has Green Bay Packers fans buzzing.
Miller’s projection has the Packers selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 24th overall pick. This move, according to Miller, is a strategic play aimed at fortifying the Packers’ defensive line in the face of potential changes.
Kenny Clark, the Packers’ anchor on the defensive front, is heading into free agency after next season. While Green Bay boasts a strong group of edge rushers, Clark’s departure could leave a gaping hole in the interior. Enter Tyleik Williams, a 6-2, 290-pound force with the potential to fill that void.
Despite a modest three-sack season last year, Williams’ film reveals a player with an explosive first step and refined pass-rushing technique, the hallmarks of a first-round talent. His ability to disrupt at the line of scrimmage aligns perfectly with the Packers’ defensive philosophy under coordinator Jim Hafley.
Of course, the Packers could still retain Clark. Whispers around the league suggest an extension before the 2024 season is a real possibility. But with Clark’s hefty $27.5 million cap hit and the Packers’ current status as the lowest-spending team in 2024, negotiations will undoubtedly be complex.
Miller’s mock draft is packed with other intriguing picks, including potential quarterback shakeups for the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, who are projected to select Georgia’s Carson Beck and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, respectively. The draft class is brimming with potential game-changers, from edge rushers like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. to offensive weapons like Missouri’s Luther Burden III and Arizona’s Travis Hunter.
As the draft season draws nearer, these early projections will evolve, but they offer a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the NFL. For the Packers, the decision on Tyleik Williams could be a defining moment in their quest to maintain defensive dominance in the years to come.