The top of the 2025 receiver class is not held in the same regard as previous drafts. Nevertheless, teams in need of pass-catching help are doing homework on the best options in this month’s event. 
One of those is Emeka Egbuka. The Ohio State product met with the Cowboys recently, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds a visit with the Packers also began yesterday and will continue today. Both teams have been mentioned as potential suitors for an early draft addition, so this news comes as no surprise.
Dallas saw Brandin Cooks depart in free agency, creating a vacancy at the WR2 spot. The Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb atop the depth chart for years to come, but a complementary group featuring Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert and returner KaVontae Turpin could stand to see an addition. Stephen Jones recently confirmed the Cowboys are in the market for a receiver addition, which could consist of a veteran signing or using an early draft pick at the position.
The Packers have deployed a young array of players at receiver and tight end in recent years. Many observers have called for the arrival of a true No. 1 wideout to allow for Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Bo Melton and Christian Watson to serve in more of a complementary role. The latter’s January ACL tear will lead to missed time in 2025, so a rookie selected early in April could have a path to immediate playing time. Green Bay has not taken a receiver on Day 1 of the draft since 2002.
It remains to be seen if Egbuka will hear his name called in the first round, but he is among the top options at the WR spot in 2025. The senior spent his entire four-year career at Ohio State, setting the school’s all-time record for receptions with 205 and playing a central role in the team’s national title in 2024. The No. 17 prospect on NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah’s board, Egbuka profiles best as a slot receiver at the NFL level. He is joined by Colorado’s Travis Hunter (he if plays on offense upon being drafted), Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Texas’ Matthew Golden as a receiver firmly on the first-round radar.
Both the Cowboys (set to select 12th overall) and Packers (23rd) fell short of the top 10 in passing yards last season. Improving in that department could include using a high draft pick on a receiver, and Egbuka will be a name to watch for those teams.
The Packers don’t have a #1 WR. I think Reed could be that guy, but it seemed like he took a small step backwards last year.
Watson is too iffy for me. Gets hurt too often. Decent when on the field.
Doubs…still not sure yet. His game suspension last year bothers me.
Problem is there aren’t any guys in this draft class that look like a surefire #1 WR. There’s a handful that look like solid #2’s but I wouldn’t be surprised if no receivers, other than Hunter who might play defense anyway, are taken before Green Bay is on the clock. I think Matthew Golden would fit Green Bay best with his speed and separation skills but Egbuka would be a solid choice too.
Unless GB plans on drafting a WR in round 1(something they never do) I don’t see them drafting WR Emeka Egbuka. He will be gone by the time they pick in the 2nd round at #54. Maybe they trade back into 1st round or trade up to the top of the 2nd round on night 2 to draft him.
Would be cool to see GB take a WR in round 1. Last year the Jags selected WR Brian Thomas Jr. with the #23 pick, will GB grab a WR with the #23 pick in this years draft?
I would be surprised too if they went with a WR in round 1.
Heck, how many offensive players have they drafted in the 1st round since 2001? I looked it up: 4 picks were offense:
Year
2002 Javon Walker (WR)
2005 Aaron Rodgers (QB)
2020 Jordan Love (QB)
2024 Jordan Morgan (OT)
Ladd McConkey went #34 last year. Diamonds can be found!
Without looking it up, I can tell you that Bryan Bulaga and Derrick Sherrod were #1s
Dang! You are right. Sorry for the bad info.
Lets see if ChatGPT gets it right: Since 2001, the Green Bay Packers have made the following first-round draft picks:
2001: Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
2002: Javon Walker, WR, Florida State
2003: Nick Barnett, LB, Oregon State
2004: Ahmad Carroll, CB, Arkansas
2005: Aaron Rodgers, QB, California
2006: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
2007: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
2009: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
2009: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
2010: Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa
2011: Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State
2012: Nick Perry, DE, USC
2013: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
2014: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DB, Alabama
2015: Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
2016: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
2018: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
2019: Rashan Gary, LB, Michigan
2019: Darnell Savage Jr., S, Maryland
2020: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
2021: Eric Stokes, DB, Georgia
2022: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
2022: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
2023: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
2024: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Packers have such bigger needs than WR.
I agree. CB, DL, Edge rusher are bigger needs.
Then I’d say WR after that.
Id love for the Cowboys to trade back picking up an extra 4th rounder (maybe even a 2nd if they came trade back to 30-32). Take Omarion Hampton at the end of the first and then a WR in round 2.