The Green Bay Packers could turn to the Tennessee Volunteers for defensive line help during the 2025 NFL Draft. Brian Gutekunst could turn to the Volunteers if the Packers look to add another playmaker for Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love. The Volunteers will square off against Ohio State on Saturday night in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
Omari Thomas, DT
Thomas has the gap quickness to affect the action in the backfield. The former four-star recruit is stout at the point of attack and can peel off blocks to stop ball carriers in the hole.
The Packers could be looking for TJ Slaton’s replacement this offseason, and Thomas could be a Day 3 target.
Cooper Mays, C
Mays enters the playoff matchup against the Buckeyes with 44 career starts at center. Over the past two seasons, Mays has given up zero sacks and 20 pressures as the anchor of Tennesse’s offensive line.
Bru McCoy, WR
When the 2025 season starts, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs will both be playing in the final year of their rookie contracts. Gutekunst has likely started to think about which wide receivers he’ll prioritize to re-sign and who he’ll let walk from this talented group that includes Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
McCoy is a player that Gutekunst could target on Day 3 to add to a talented room. McCoy checks all the boxes for what the Packers look for in a wide receiver. At 6-2, 218 pounds, he’s a physical, big-framed target who takes pride in doing the dirty work when he doesn’t have the ball.
Dont’e Thornton Jr, WR
Thornton is an explosive, vertical threat. A former track athlete, Thornton has a different gear and he uses his long strides to quickly chew up grass. He enters the matchup with Ohio State as the nation’s leader in yards per reception (25.9).
James Pearce Jr, Edge
At 245 pounds, Pierce may be too light for Gutekunst’s liking. It’s also very likely that Pearce is off the board by the time the Packers are on the clock in the first round on April 24th.
Having said all that, Pierce would provide Green Bay’s pass rush with instant juice. The Tennessee pass rusher has an explosive first step and is bendy. He enters Saturday’s matchup against Ohio State with 52 pressures and 7.5 sacks.
Dylan Sampson (running back) is a home run hitter for the Volunteers. After signing Josh Jacobs in free agency and drafting MarShawn Lloyd on Day 2 last offseason, it’s difficult to envision the Packers selecting Sampson on Day 2 of the 2025 draft.
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