With the 54th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers made a mind-blowing decision. Anthony Belton, the 134th player on PFSN’s big board, climbed all the way to the second round.
After an eruption with their Round 1 Matthew Golden selection, the second round choice is one of massive intrigue. In an unpredictable draft thus far, the Packers have fed even more fuel to the fire.
2nd-Round Pick Receives D- Grade for Draft-Host Packers
PFSN’s Ian Cummings describes how Belton’s opportunity cost serves as a potential shining light in the puzzling selection. “The Packers haven’t shied away from chances to add to their offensive line in recent years, even when their starting lineup has been largely set. That was the case this year. With several high-quality players available at positions of greater need, they instead decided to take Anthony Belton in Round 2.
“The most compelling selling point about Belton is this: He’s big, to an overwhelming extent. At 6’6”, 336 pounds, with 34” arms, he’s hard to get around, and hard to break through when he has an anchor. However, his feet are plodding, he’s not overly flexible, he can lose balance in recovery, and he doesn’t have great athleticism or range as a puller or space blocker.
“This is poor value regardless of opportunity cost, and there were multiple high-level CBs on the board.”
NFL.com lead draft writer, Eric Edholm, also had the North Carolina State offensive tackle outside his top 100. However, Edholm too sees the potential.
“I had Belton just outside my top 100 (No. 104 for those scoring at home) because of his weight ballooning in the past, along with his occasional lack of fundamentals as a blocker,” said Edholm.
“But with Belton’s sheer mass and some good coaching, he could be a starting tackle or guard down the road.”
Packers Pass on Defensive Needs, Prioritize O-Line
With holes at defensive end, defensive tackle, and cornerback, the Packers’ reach comes as an even more questionable decision. Players like DE Jack Sawyer, CB Shavon Revel Jr., and DT Shemar Turner were still on the board when the Pack elected to take Belton. Now, with two rounds in the rear view mirror, Green Bay gets to select six more times this draft (two picks in Round 7).
In addition, the Packers added WR Savion Williams from TCU with the 87th-overall pick. They currently have five picks on Day 3, with one pick in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds and two in the seventh. With no shortage of trades thus far, anything is possible if general manager Brian Gutekunst and Packers brass decide they want to make a big move.
