With their NFL Draft visit, the Packers’ interest in a first-round receiver intensifies.

The Green Bay Packers, a franchise steeped in tradition and celebrated for its emphasis on homegrown development, appear poised to take a bold step in the 2025 NFL Draft. Amid a flurry of pre-draft visits and growing speculation, the team’s intent to pursue a wide receiver with their first-round pick is becoming increasingly clear. The Packers, who historically avoided drafting first-round wideouts during the Aaron Rodgers era, are signaling a philosophical shift under quarterback Jordan Love. With a young core in place and a pivotal year ahead, selecting an elite pass-catcher may be the final piece to unlocking the next phase of their offensive evolution.

Breaking Tradition: A New Era in Green Bay

Since 2002, when the Packers selected Javon Walker in the first round, the franchise has famously avoided using high draft capital on wide receivers. Even with Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Brett Favre and Rodgers under center, Green Bay opted for later-round talent, trades, or free-agent acquisitions to bolster its receiving corps. That approach was frequently criticized, particularly as Rodgers matured and carried offenses often lacking a consistent, game-changing wideout outside of Davante Adams.

But the Jordan Love era has brought more than just a quarterback change—it’s also ushered in a fresh team-building strategy. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has shown a willingness to break from precedent. After all, this is the same front office that traded up to draft Love in 2020, and now, in 2025, appears ready to give him a premium offensive weapon to solidify his rise as a franchise leader.

The Pre-Draft Visits: A Telltale Sign

Reports have confirmed that the Packers recently hosted a pair of highly ranked receivers for pre-draft visits: Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. Both players are projected top-20 picks and represent different but complementary skill sets that could elevate Green Bay’s offense.

Odunze, a consensus All-American, dazzled during his senior season with 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. His combination of size (6-foot-3), route-running precision, and hands make him one of the safest and most NFL-ready options in the draft. Thomas, meanwhile, boasts elite athleticism and vertical explosiveness. At 6-foot-4, he’s a deep-ball threat who averaged over 17 yards per catch and scored 17 touchdowns in 2024.

The fact that Green Bay used their coveted pre-draft visit slots—limited in number and highly strategic—on two wideouts of this caliber speaks volumes. These aren’t mere fact-finding missions; they’re part of a serious evaluation process targeting a first-round investment.

Why Now? Timing Is Everything

The Packers are entering a critical juncture. Jordan Love, after a promising 2024 season that saw the Packers reach the playoffs, is no longer a developmental project. He’s the guy—and the front office must now shift gears to fully support him.

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed have all shown flashes, but none have cemented themselves as true WR1 material. Watson has battled injuries. Doubs is reliable but limited in his ceiling. Reed, while explosive, is still raw. Adding a dominant outside receiver would not only boost Love’s production but also free up these complementary pieces to thrive in more appropriate roles.

Moreover, Green Bay’s offense, under head coach Matt LaFleur, relies heavily on play-action, timing routes, and intermediate passing windows. An elite wideout who can win early in routes and stretch defenses vertically would supercharge that system—especially with two tight ends (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft) already forming a solid middle-field presence.

Draft Capital and Positional Value

The Packers are in prime position to make this move. Owning the No. 25 overall pick, they are within striking range of multiple first-round receivers. While top-tier talents like Marvin Harrison Jr. are likely off the board, a minor trade-up could secure Odunze or Thomas Jr.—both of whom could slide into the late teens or early 20s.

The 2025 class is unusually deep at wide receiver, but it’s also top-heavy. If Green Bay waits until the second round, they may miss out on a true difference-maker and be left with development projects rather than immediate impact players. For a team looking to contend in the NFC North, capitalizing on a premier WR prospect while Love is still on a rookie deal makes strategic and financial sense.

Scouting Reports: Odunze vs. Thomas Jr.

Let’s break down the two receivers who’ve visited Green Bay.

Rome Odunze (Washington)

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 212 lbs
Strengths: Elite ball-tracking, physicality, polish in route-running, reliable hands.
Weaknesses: Average breakaway speed; occasionally struggles against press coverage.
NFL Comp: Keenan Allen meets Michael Pittman Jr.

Odunze is seen as a plug-and-play receiver who can produce immediately. His football IQ and leadership qualities also align well with Green Bay’s locker room culture.

Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 205 lbs
Strengths: Game-breaking speed, red zone efficiency, vertical separation.
Weaknesses: Needs to refine route tree; limited experience against elite cornerbacks.
NFL Comp: D.J. Chark with a higher ceiling.

Thomas Jr. may be a bit more raw, but his upside is immense. His skill set could dramatically alter how defenses line up against Green Bay.

How the Pick Fits Into the NFC North Landscape

The Packers are not operating in a vacuum. The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears are all in different stages of team-building—but each has made major investments in offense.

The Lions have one of the league’s most potent scoring units, powered by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Bears just added Rome Odunze in some mock drafts and already boast D.J. Moore. The Vikings, though searching for a quarterback, still have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

To keep pace, Green Bay must match firepower with firepower. A first-round receiver signals that intent and reinforces their commitment to building around Love.

Counterarguments and Roster Considerations

Of course, there are skeptics. Some analysts argue the Packers have bigger needs—particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary. Depth at cornerback and safety has been tested in recent seasons, and long-term solutions at tackle are still in question with David Bakhtiari gone.

However, the depth of this draft favors Green Bay’s flexibility. Quality offensive linemen and defensive backs can still be found on Day 2 and Day 3. What’s harder to find is a WR1 who can transform an entire offensive unit. That’s why a first-round receiver makes sense now more than ever.

Legacy and Messaging

The symbolic weight of this potential pick shouldn’t be overlooked. Drafting a first-round wide receiver would send a message—not just to fans, but to Jordan Love. It tells the young quarterback, “We believe in you. You are the face of this team, and we’re going to surround you with every tool to succeed.”

Contrast that with the Rodgers era, where lack of investment in offensive skill players became a point of friction. The Packers appear to be learning from past missteps, ensuring Love doesn’t face the same uphill climb.

The Wild Cards

While Odunze and Thomas Jr. are currently the hot names, don’t rule out other possibilities if the draft board breaks differently. Florida State’s Keon Coleman, Texas’s Adonai Mitchell, and Georgia’s Ladd McConkey are all fringe first-rounders who could sneak into consideration depending on how the board falls.

There’s also a scenario where the Packers make a trade for a veteran receiver either before or during draft weekend. Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk, or Courtland Sutton have all been mentioned in speculative trade talks. But given Green Bay’s usual draft-and-develop model, selecting a receiver they can mold seems more likely.

A Defining Decision Looms

As April 24 draws near, the Green Bay Packers find themselves at a crossroads. Armed with a rising quarterback, an evolving offensive identity, and a chance to make a significant splash in the first round, the team’s actions in the coming days could shape its trajectory for years to come.

The signs are there. The visits are in. The need is clear.

A first-round wide receiver isn’t just an option—it’s looking more and more like a necessity.

And this time, the Packers may finally pull the trigger.