Green Bay Packers 2025 Rookie Class Named Worst In The NFL By Analyst

The Green Bay Packers made a big splash in the 2025 NFL Draft. They finally drafted a wide receiver in the first round and picked up other intriguing players. However, the production on the field didn’t always match. In his annual rookie report card for NFL.com, analyst Gennaro Filice delivered a verdict that stunned many in Green Bay: he ranked the Packers’ 2025 draft class dead last, No. 32 in the entire league.

After a season that ended in a frustrating five-game losing streak and another early playoff exit, this news feels like salt in the wound. While the ranking is jarring, it’s worth diving into the reasons behind it and considering whether it’s a fair assessment or a premature judgment.

A Disappointing Debut for a Hyped Green Bay Packers Class

The 2025 NFL Draft was held in Green Bay, and the atmosphere was electric. When the Packers selected wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round, breaking a 23-year streak of not taking a wideout on Day 1, the crowd at Lambeau Field erupted. The moment was a highlight, but in hindsight, it may have been the peak for this rookie class’s first year.

Filice’s “D+” grade and rock-bottom ranking are based on one simple factor: a lack of immediate impact. Here’s a look at why the class underwhelmed:

• Matthew Golden’s Quiet Season: The first-round pick was expected to be a dynamic new weapon. Instead, he was mostly a non-factor. Caught in a crowded receiver room and dealing with some health issues of his own, Golden struggled to find a consistent role. He ended the regular season with just 11 catches for 112 yards from Week 8 onward. While he flashed his potential with a touchdown in the playoff loss to Chicago, it was too little, too late to salvage a disappointing rookie campaign.
• Inconsistent Line Play: Second-round pick Anthony Belton, an offensive lineman, saw more playing time than Golden. He stepped in as a starter at right guard from Thanksgiving on, providing some much-needed snaps. However, his performance was described as “far from pristine.” For a team that prides itself on strong offensive line play, getting inconsistent results from a premium pick was a setback.
• Limited Contributions Elsewhere: Beyond the top two picks, the rest of the draft class made minimal noise. Third-round receiver Savion Williams was a non-entity. Day 3 edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver were rotational pieces at best. When your most significant contributors are struggling to make a consistent impact, it’s hard to earn a high grade.

Gennaro Filice’s analysis points to a simple truth: for a team with championship aspirations, the 2025 rookie class did not provide the immediate boost needed to get them over the hump. The lack of production, especially from the top pick, is the primary driver behind the NFL’s worst ranking.

It’s Far Too Early to Panic

While the “D+” grade is tough to swallow, it’s important to take a step back and add some perspective. Judging an entire draft class after one season is like reviewing a movie after watching the first 20 minutes. Player development in the NFL is not always a straight line.

History is filled with examples of players who had quiet rookie seasons before blossoming into stars. Davante Adams, arguably the best receiver in Packers history, had a modest start to his career. Rashan Gary took a couple of seasons to find his footing and become a dominant force (hope that comes back in 2026). Development takes time, and some players need a year to adjust to the speed, complexity, and physicality of the professional game.

This draft class was always seen as one with developmental upside. Matthew Golden has the physical tools to be a top-tier receiver, but he needs a full, healthy offseason to refine his game and build chemistry. Anthony Belton gained valuable starting experience that will serve him well heading into his second year. Sometimes, the value of a draft class isn’t measured in rookie-year stats but in the foundation it lays for the future.

A Team-Wide Failure

The Packers’ late-season collapse was a team-wide failure, not just the fault of the rookies. With a full offseason, a more defined role, and the natural progression that comes with experience, this class could look entirely different a year from now. For now, the grade is what it is—a reflection of a disappointing start. But for Packers fans looking for hope, the final chapter on the 2025 draft class is far from written.