Predictive 2025 For This Year's Rookies

[tynimiller]

I just now realized I never sat down and shared my 2024 predictions, something I'd done for a few years back...so today, as I have done before (prior to any real PS games) I will attempt to predict what I envision the 2025 season being for the rookies this year (I'll be doing the draftees + a few UDFAs)

I have to state, these predictions are assuming that overall we have typically healthy guys...a few missed games here and there but no full season losses of guys in their position groups.

Matthew Golden - I genuinely feel bad for Golden. Being the first wide receiver drafted Day 1 in GB since Javon Walker, folks are going to be STUPID with their expectations of him and I would argue ignorant as well. THAT SAID...I do think folks are getting vastly too enamored with practice reps and such. What I enjoy seeing is consistent hands, footwork in breaks looks CLEAN and his body control in the air - stuff we all saw the one year in Texas when he broke out. Most rookies struggle, even if they have IMMENSE talent...but the nuances of reads and even the non-verbal cues or "connection" with your QB takes time. He is a threat which for sure will force defenses to account for him and in truth I think Golden's biggest impact some games will not show up on the box score but will on the All22 as you see safety coverage shade or even an over/under bracketed coverage call on him - freeing up a Reed on a slant up the middle or a Kraft leaking into the same side flat uncovered.
Prediction - 50 Receptions / 627 yards / 6 TDs
Anthony Belton - I think EVERYONE that understands prospects, GB roster construction and fiscal situations knew Belton pick was vastly more about 2026 than 2025. That said I think best case for him is he proves LT worthy and even gets a chance this year because someone calls Gute in desperation trade for Walker...and with heir apparent Gute says yes. Otherwise I predict we see him be the first tackle up as I think Morgan is a high level guard more so.
Prediction - Spot starts, and first tackle up when needed this year. *I will just say it now, if this is all he is - HE WAS NOT A WASTED PICK like some will argue.
Savion Williams - Williams may be the hardest to predict....kid is crazy athletic, but has played in a very non-traditional / non-NFL style offense for years. I cannot help but think the learning curve for him is going to be significant compared to some and with that I think realistic expectations need to be applied. He does offer a legit running option on the jet sweep or even motioning into the backfield even - which I would think MLF is drooling over.
Prediction - 20 Receptions / 250 Yards / 2 TDs PLUS 15 rushes / 102 yards / 1 TD

Barryn Sorrell - Everyone knows how much I raved about his character and solid nature/readiness he brings along the edge. To me he is a slightly more ready Enagbare level (remember I had Enagbare graded much higher than he went). I think Sorrell plays a decent amount and has a splash game or two for sure.
Prediction - Plays around 40% of the defensive snaps on the year / puts up 4.5 Sacks / 6 TFLs / 35 Tackles / 1 PD
Collin Oliver - Oliver is crazy athletic, but a bit of a roller coaster on gamedays in what I scouted. The hardest part about Oliver is just figuring out what or where we play him - off ball backer or along the line edge. Either way I don't think others on the team (unless Enagbare is traded) are going to let him see the field too terribly much his rookie campaign.
Prediction - Roughly 20% of snaps / 1.5 sacks / 2 TFLs / 12 tackles
Warren Brinson - This is where we get to the point IMO where we need to predict if they make roster or not. I actually think Brinson's path to the roster was much easier the night of the draft when I heard his name vs when I went to bed learning that Nazir was coming into town. Two very different player types BUT there are only so many spots along that front for us to keep. I suspect Warren will show enough to truly deserve a spot, but with my thoughts of Clark/Brooks/Wyatt/Wooden and Nazir already at 5 and looking at the horizon of the rest of the roster it just gets very tough putting Brinson in.
Prediction - The team collectively hopes he clears and can be on the PS and kept here in house.
Micah Robinson - Will keep it short - will become a PS stash.

John Williams - IF his health returns I suspect he actually does earn a spot....my OL room prediction assuming no trades will be Walker / Banks / Jenkins / Morgan / Tom / Rhyan / Belton / Monk / Jennings / Williams


UDFAs
Nazir Stackhouse - This dude should have been drafted. I was 5th round watching for his name once we hit the mid-5th range....was baffled to see us call Brinson before him and to never hear his name on draft night. Nazir is really the only guy built to replace TJ Slaton's snaps without asking Clark to reduce inside more.
Prediction - He sees around 32% of the snaps / 1 Sack / 4 TFLs / 30 Tackles
Jamon Johnson - This dude has the ability and skillset to make the roster...I just don't see us keeping more than Quay / Cooper / McDuffie and Simmons as our main 4....and Oliver is potentially a hybrid piece.
Prediction - Jamon in many ways is heralded as the preseason MVP of the defense, but we simply don't have a spot for him...but given landscape of LBs I think we see him back in town on the PS.

 

[El Guapo]

Good predictions. Not much for me to contend about, because as you clearly stated, they are just predictions.

My prediction is that Savion will wash out by the end of 2026. I just don't see it but hope that I am 100% dead wrong.

My other prediction is that Brinson makes the team because Green Bay makes a choice to keep either Brooks or Wooden but not both, letting the other go in order keep both Brinson and Stackhouse. It sounds like Stackhouse has already earned a spot and if Brinson shows enough he should stay one way or the other. If Brinson doesn't show that he deserves to be on the 53, then keep Brooks & Wooden and see if Brinson makes it through to the PS as you suggested.

 

[tynimiller]

Good predictions. Not much for me to contend about, because as you clearly stated, they are just predictions.

My prediction is that Savion will wash out by the end of 2026. I just don't see it but hope that I am 100% dead wrong.

My other prediction is that Brinson makes the team because Green Bay makes a choice to keep either Brooks or Wooden but not both, letting the other go in order keep both Brinson and Stackhouse. It sounds like Stackhouse has already earned a spot and if Brinson shows enough he should stay one way or the other. If Brinson doesn't show that he deserves to be on the 53, then keep Brooks & Wooden and see if Brinson makes it through to the PS as you suggested.

I will say I think there is VASTLY more chance of this then he becomes a 500 yard producer....to me he is a TALL version of Ty Montgomery...athletic enough and a guy who can do things with the ball but at best is likely headed towards a career depth piece and spell giver (guy who comes in when spelling others). <-----This still makes him one of the crazy gifted athletes in the world and will make millions but relative to the rest of the league, he will be bottom tier.

 

[El Guapo]

...and I was a Ty Montgomery fan. I love guys that can do anything and wish that NFL coaches were able to better utilize those guys instead of casting them away as 'not prototypical.'

It reminds me of the Art Howe character in Moneyball not wanting to play Scott Hatteberg.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Great analysis all around; as thorough and insightful as ever. Very reasonable expectations. Let's just hope a few players exceed them!

Matthew Golden - I genuinely feel bad for Golden. Being the first wide receiver drafted Day 1 in GB since Javon Walker, folks are going to be STUPID with their expectations of him and I would argue ignorant as well. THAT SAID...I do think folks are getting vastly too enamored with practice reps and such.
What I enjoy seeing is consistent hands, footwork in breaks looks CLEAN and his body control in the air - stuff we all saw the one year in Texas when he broke out. Most rookies struggle, even if they have IMMENSE talent...but the nuances of reads and even the non-verbal cues or "connection" with your QB takes time.

Very realistic. I love the guy, but I think that when he's all of a sudden going up against DBs that he's never seen before, as opposed to the same guys he's been running routes on every day for a month, he'll struggle. There'll be a learning curve, but he seems to be a very smart, coachable player dedicated to being the best he can be, so I expect him to be a much better player by December.

Anthony Belton - I think EVERYONE that understands prospects, GB roster construction and fiscal situations knew Belton pick was vastly more about 2026 than 2025. That said I think best case for him is he proves LT worthy and even gets a chance this year because someone calls Gute in desperation trade for Walker...and with heir apparent Gute says yes.

Packers released their preliminary depth chart yesterday after practice, and unsurprisingly, Belton is listed as Tom's backup, with Morgan next man up at LT. For whatever value a depth chart has in the first week of August; has to be taken with a big grain of salt.

Barryn Sorrell - Everyone knows how much I raved about his character and solid nature/readiness he brings along the edge. To me he is a slightly more ready Enagbare level (remember I had Enagbare graded much higher than he went). I think Sorrell plays a decent amount and has a splash game or two for sure.

I am really excited about this kid. He seems to be a very fast learner, and I think he'll be getting more and more snaps as the season goes on. He may be getting a fair amount of work by the last few weeks of the season. He's already 2nd up behind LVN on the preliminary depth chart.

Nazir Stackhouse - This dude should have been drafted. I was 5th round watching for his name once we hit the mid-5th range....was baffled to see us call Brinson before him and to never hear his name on draft night. Nazir is really the only guy built to replace TJ Slaton's snaps without asking Clark to reduce inside more.

He's a steal; I know Green Bay loved him, but I don't understand why they risked losing him to someone else. I'm not sure Micah Robinson was a better use of that pick than Stackhouse would have been.; seems like they took a bit of a chance there. He's already taking a number of 1st team reps, and apparently doing well.

(re Williams) I will say I think there is VASTLY more chance of this then he becomes a 500 yard producer....to me he is a TALL version of Ty Montgomery...athletic enough and a guy who can do things with the ball but at best is likely headed towards a career depth piece and spell giver (guy who comes in when spelling others). <-----This still makes him one of the crazy gifted athletes in the world and will make millions but relative to the rest of the league, he will be bottom tier.

Sounds logical, but he's hard to predict. Very unusual player. Your prediction makes at least as much sense as any others I've heard, but I think he's the kind of guy who Lafleur finds ways to use him. He'll probably never be a star, but he can be the kind of guy who definitely plays a role and makes the team better by doing a few things better than any other player can.

 

[OldSchool101]

Great Predictions!

If Wooden Stacks 2 more performances like his 1st Preseason game he could make the Roster. As of this moment, I like Stackhouse to carry the UDFA torch. Brinson imo is a better Rounded player in both Run/Pass, but he’s not your classic Double Block eater either. Warren is surprisingly fast for a big man chasing the ball to the Sideline.. reminds me of a Defensive version of Nijman without the Cartwheel. I agree that “Stack” is the more direct replacement for Tederell.

Colin Oliver is a harder one to predict because he’s a tweener, but I think his outlook or best path is at LB, where he’s currently a 5th option behind Coop, Quay, McDuff and Simmons. However if any of those miss time (crossing fingers) he’ll elevate into a rotational role. I like the 20% area also because he’s a 5th Rounder AND LB (which history shows can impact quicker) he might see adequate playing time around that 200-250 snaps area.
I like the 1.5 Sacks. IF he plays to prediction, I’d maybe pump his Tackles and TFL to 17 Tackles and 4 TFL with a 1 FF, 1PD. He’s quite the disruptive player with an attacking style. Love his 1.57 10-yard speed and strong (24 Reps) disposition. LB version of a ball sniffing Karl Brooks 2.0

 

[Pkrjones]

Simmons is incredibly athletic, but Saturday's game exposed his lack of "instincts", so far. Ty'ron Hopper, however, played fast and showed excellent insticts in making 5 solos & 4 assisted tackles. I think Simmons is back on the bubble & needs to have 2 excellent preseason games coming up or he won't make the 53. Wonder if Hopper added 5-10 lbs of good weight since last year?

 

[El Guapo]

Some of the beat writers said that same thing about Simmons now chasing Kristian Welch for a roster spot . Their analysis was that Simmons looked absolutely lost in the middle of the defense, but also showed off his skills on special teams. Their sentiment was that Welch has the brains/heart and Simmons has the talent/skill. If only we could combine the two.

 

[tynimiller]

Let's check out how I did....

Matthew Golden - I genuinely feel bad for Golden. Being the first wide receiver drafted Day 1 in GB since Javon Walker, folks are going to be STUPID with their expectations of him and I would argue ignorant as well. THAT SAID...I do think folks are getting vastly too enamored with practice reps and such. What I enjoy seeing is consistent hands, footwork in breaks looks CLEAN and his body control in the air - stuff we all saw the one year in Texas when he broke out. Most rookies struggle, even if they have IMMENSE talent...but the nuances of reads and even the non-verbal cues or "connection" with your QB takes time. He is a threat which for sure will force defenses to account for him and in truth I think Golden's biggest impact some games will not show up on the box score but will on the All22 as you see safety coverage shade or even an over/under bracketed coverage call on him - freeing up a Reed on a slant up the middle or a Kraft leaking into the same side flat uncovered.
Prediction - 50 Receptions / 627 yards / 6 TDs

29 Receptions | 361 Yards | 0 TDs - clearly I should have been as conservative as I initially thought. My pacing for Yards per catch is pretty spot on, I just figured he'd get freed up more and didn't. Missed this one entirely IMO.

Anthony Belton - I think EVERYONE that understands prospects, GB roster construction and fiscal situations knew Belton pick was vastly more about 2026 than 2025. That said I think best case for him is he proves LT worthy and even gets a chance this year because someone calls Gute in desperation trade for Walker...and with heir apparent Gute says yes. Otherwise I predict we see him be the first tackle up as I think Morgan is a high level guard more so.
Prediction - Spot starts, and first tackle up when needed this year. *I will just say it now, if this is all he is - HE WAS NOT A WASTED PICK like some will argue.

7 starts and appears set to be one of the starters of the future...nailed it.

Savion Williams - Williams may be the hardest to predict....kid is crazy athletic, but has played in a very non-traditional / non-NFL style offense for years. I cannot help but think the learning curve for him is going to be significant compared to some and with that I think realistic expectations need to be applied. He does offer a legit running option on the jet sweep or even motioning into the backfield even - which I would think MLF is drooling over.
Prediction - 20 Receptions / 250 Yards / 2 TDs PLUS 15 rushes / 102 yards / 1 TD

10 receptions | 78 Yards | 1 TD / 11 Rushes | 37 Yards | 0 TDs

I called his split type use just didn't produce as much as I predicted...not a nailed it, but not a miss - we will for sake of limited options make it a push.

Barryn Sorrell - Everyone knows how much I raved about his character and solid nature/readiness he brings along the edge. To me he is a slightly more ready Enagbare level (remember I had Enagbare graded much higher than he went). I think Sorrell plays a decent amount and has a splash game or two for sure.
Prediction - Plays around 40% of the defensive snaps on the year / puts up 4.5 Sacks / 6 TFLs / 35 Tackles / 1 PD

Played 20% 1.5 Sacks 1 TFL 15 tackles....I truly expected Gary to regress harder, but also didn't expect LVN to see the level of snaps and figured Sorrell would be leaned on for a lot more breathers for others. He paced how I thought but not total production...could argue miss and a push.

Collin Oliver - Oliver is crazy athletic, but a bit of a roller coaster on gamedays in what I scouted. The hardest part about Oliver is just figuring out what or where we play him - off ball backer or along the line edge. Either way I don't think others on the team (unless Enagbare is traded) are going to let him see the field too terribly much his rookie campaign.
Prediction - Roughly 20% of snaps / 1.5 sacks / 2 TFLs / 12 tackles

Injury - N/A

Warren Brinson - This is where we get to the point IMO where we need to predict if they make roster or not. I actually think Brinson's path to the roster was much easier the night of the draft when I heard his name vs when I went to bed learning that Nazir was coming into town. Two very different player types BUT there are only so many spots along that front for us to keep. I suspect Warren will show enough to truly deserve a spot, but with my thoughts of Clark/Brooks/Wyatt/Wooden and Nazir already at 5 and looking at the horizon of the rest of the roster it just gets very tough putting Brinson in.
Prediction - The team collectively hopes he clears and can be on the PS and kept here in house.

Missed but in a good way...kid started a game, put up 13 tackles, .5 sacks (3 QBHits)....

Micah Robinson I never saw making the team, hit. John Williams injury - N/A

Nazir I overshot slightly but he did play more than some felt...push.

 

[milani]

Let's check out how I did....



29 Receptions | 361 Yards | 0 TDs - clearly I should have been as conservative as I initially thought. My pacing for Yards per catch is pretty spot on, I just figured he'd get freed up more and didn't. Missed this one entirely IMO.



7 starts and appears set to be one of the starters of the future...nailed it.


10 receptions | 78 Yards | 1 TD / 11 Rushes | 37 Yards | 0 TDs

I called his split type use just didn't produce as much as I predicted...not a nailed it, but not a miss - we will for sake of limited options make it a push.



Played 20% 1.5 Sacks 1 TFL 15 tackles....I truly expected Gary to regress harder, but also didn't expect LVN to see the level of snaps and figured Sorrell would be leaned on for a lot more breathers for others. He paced how I thought but not total production...could argue miss and a push.


Injury - N/A



Missed but in a good way...kid started a game, put up 13 tackles, .5 sacks (3 QBHits)....

Micah Robinson I never saw making the team, hit. John Williams injury - N/A

Nazir I overshot slightly but he did play more than some felt...push.

Would have been interesting if these rookies had been on a less talented team that did not have playoff aspirations. Golden, especially. Gute's plan was to blend them into the mix and see how they fit. I do not think any of them were meant to step up and take over as with other teams.

 

[tynimiller]

Would have been interesting if these rookies had been on a less talented team that did not have playoff aspirations. Golden, especially. Gute's plan was to blend them into the mix and see how they fit. I do not think any of them were meant to step up and take over as with other teams.

100% agree.