GREEN BAY, Wis. – Chris Trapasso, in his latest seven-round NFL mock draft on CBSSports.com, boldly claims he’s been given the inside scoop and assures that all 257 of his predicted picks are spot-on.
If he’s right, Packers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time since 2002, Green Bay uses its first-round pick on a wide receiver, selecting Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka.
“Picture this: the Packers actually draft a receiver in the first round,” Trapasso quipped. “Egbuka can thrive outside or in the slot, blocks effectively, and tracks the ball downfield like Christian Yelich in his prime.”
Sure, Yelich’s career has hit some injury-related snags—point taken. Egbuka, however, brings a stellar resume: two 1,000-yard seasons at Ohio State and the school’s all-time receptions record. He even visited Green Bay this week ahead of the draft.
Though primarily a slot receiver in college, Egbuka’s nearly 6-foot-1 frame means he’s not boxed into one role—he can line up anywhere. Widely regarded as the draft’s most refined receiver, he’s expected to eventually step up as Green Bay’s top target, despite not being the focal point in Ohio State’s loaded receiver room alongside names like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jeremiah Smith.
“That’s got to be one of the wildest rosters ever assembled,” Egbuka said at the Scouting Combine. “It’s why I picked Ohio State—I didn’t want an easy ride. I wanted to be pushed by teammates who’d make me better, fast.”
Egbuka isn’t a physical standout in terms of size, speed, or strength. He’s not a burner downfield or a yards-after-catch wizard, but his route-running is crisp, he finds open space, and he’s reliable with his hands. A blue-chip recruit, he thrived under Ohio State’s acclaimed receivers coach Brian Hartline.
“I’m my own toughest critic when I watch film,” Egbuka said. “Coach Hartline and I clicked because we’re both obsessive about perfection.”
The Packers then turned to their defense with the next few picks.
In the second round, they nab UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo, who broke out as a senior with 4.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Previously an off-ball linebacker, Oladejo is stout against the run but still developing as a pass rusher.
At 6-foot-3 1/4 and 261 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, he’s got the build for the job. He opted out of most predraft drills but posted strong marks in the vertical and broad jumps.
“The position switch wasn’t just about me—it helped the whole team,” Oladejo said. “We had a stacked linebacker group, and after the Indiana game, we reassessed how to get our best 11 out there. Coach asked me to try end for the LSU game, and I just rolled with it week by week.”
The third-round pick was South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, who also visited Green Bay. With TJ Slaton now a Bengal and Kenny Clark coming off a subpar year, the interior line needs help.
Sanders checked in at nearly 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds with 33 1/8-inch arms at the Combine, earning a 9.38 Relative Athletic Score.
Cornerback came next in the fourth round with Cal’s Nohl Williams. He had a standout senior year, allowing just a 47.7 percent completion rate, snagging an FBS-best seven interceptions, and breaking up 15 passes. He’s also a sure tackler and scored on a kickoff return.
At 6-foot 3/8, Williams has great length, though his 4.50 40-yard dash and 33 1/2-inch vertical were meh. Still, Green Bay’s zone scheme should play to his strengths.
The draft closed out with a fifth-round South Carolina defensive lineman, a sixth-round receiver, a seventh-round edge rusher, and finally, an offensive lineman in the seventh.
That lineman? Kentucky’s Eli Cox, a four-year starter who manned center his last three seasons. After giving up four sacks across 2022 and 2023, he allowed none in 2024. He’s seasoned and agile.
With Josh Myers hitting free agency and Elgton Jenkins sliding from guard to center, Green Bay lacks a clear backup at the position—Cox could fill that gap.
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