Inbox: How freaking cool was that?

Jim from Ashburnham, MA

Kudos to Mr. Murphy, the Packers organization, Lambeau, Packers fans, and Green Bay. What an amazing event, raising the bar for future drafts. I'm not concerned about attendance; I take quality over quantity, and it was delivered in spades. Ed Policy has big shoes to fill. I'm sure with his pedigree, experience, and team, the Packers will stay at the forefront. What a way for Mark to cap a great career. Beyond players, coaches, and front office, the Packers aren't Packers without Mr. Harlan and Mr. Murphy.

It was great to see Mark get his flowers on Day 1 and be part of the handoff at the end. The NFL Draft doesn't make it to Green Bay without his perseverance. I give thanks to the league and its owners for allowing our city to host the draft. It was a fitting capstone to a successful 17-year run under Murphy's leadership in which the organization experienced unprecedented growth.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

How are you and Green Bay adjusting to post-draft life?

It's difficult to find the words to describe how incredible the past week has been. I was extremely present throughout the three days of the draft. I walked around the stadium for two hours on Thursday to take everything in. There was a fair amount of criticism when Green Bay was awarded the 2025 NFL Draft in May 2023 and I vividly recall going to Twitter to say, "I cannot wait to see this city shine," and it did.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

Great call Westradamus. Your pick was truly Golden.

A broken clock's right twice a day, am I right? Or in my case, twice every 12 years. In all seriousness, I don't think there is a player I've been more head over heels about than Golden. Maybe Ryan Shazier in 2014 because I felt he was the middle linebacker Green Bay needed. But Golden is everything a team could want in a first-round prospect: elite speed, big-play production in the SEC and an impressive young man who checks every box on and off the field. The Packers picked an all-around winner in Matthew Golden.

Scott from La Crosse, WI

Hello II, with the speed and deep-threat ability Golden brings to the table, do you think this allows the coaching staff to slow-roll Christian Watson's return to make sure his ACL is fully recovered?

I offer no predictions on when Watson will be back, but I cannot wait to see the two of them on the field together.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

What was the funniest part of the draft?

It was definitely Mark Murphy's announcement of Golden's selection. I appreciate Mark probably has not watched a minute of WWE in his lifetime, but I can't think of anyone who has a better understanding of pro wrestling psychology than Mark. The guy knows how to work a crowd.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

I still don't think I can put this weekend into words. All I know is that I'm still feeling it all today. The sights, the sounds, the smells...from cloudy, cold and dreary to a beach party with Brad Paisley the next day. With everything else happening around me, honest truth, my favorite part of the whole thing was just being able to walk around inside Lambeau. In the stadium bowl, after dark. That's something not a lot of people will ever get to do. My most sincere gratitude to all involved.

An immeasurable number of memories were made around Lambeau Field, Titletown and the Resch campus over those three days, me included. Seeing my son partake in the event brought everything full circle.

Stephanie from Flowery Branch, GA

II, thanks to y'all for providing and surviving this outstanding draft weekend! From your answers to my question about why only 17 players attended the draft, I gathered players are "invited" to the draft. But then, on Day 3, there was this surreal timing for Barryn Sorrell and his family, and for our fans and organization, that he was actually here! Sad that he was the only player in the green room to experience that thrill, regardless of when, they should all have the chance to celebrate on that stage!

How freaking cool was that? I hate how there is such a taboo about players not getting picked right away and sitting in the green room. It's a glorious moment for any player to get selected regardless of where they get drafted. It sure was neat to see Sorrell walk across that stage, especially after learning about his story. Kudos to Roger Goodell for coming back out to announce Sorrell, too. Like I said on “Three Things,” that's what this game is all about.

Lucille from Weston, WI

Wes, beautiful story on Sorrell! It even brought tears to my eyes. Good job, Wes. Glad to have you on board!

Thank you and hopefully more to come on Barryn, too.

James from Oshkosh, WI

Mike and Wes, what an unbelievable event the draft was as we watched it here in Florida (snowbirds). What truly warmed my heart was the fourth-round pick being in the green room. You can't make this stuff up. My early prediction is he will be a star, barring injury. So glad we had my wife's dad sign over his seats before he passed. He has had them since '58 and he WAS at the Ice Bowl. GPG!

I loved Milt Hendrickson's quote on Sorrell, too. It might have been my favorite of the entire draft weekend: "For him to bet on himself – if that guy stays healthy, he's going to play as long as he wants." Chills.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

I saw multiple articles written (elsewhere by amateurs no doubt) that could not get over the Packers not taking help for the defense sooner in the draft. Did I miss something, or did GB not have a top 10 defense last year? Help is always welcome but thank you to the organization for staying true to its board.

Amen. This was my 16th NFL Draft and believe me when I say: I could not possibly care less how people view the Packers draft until there's something tangible behind it. If Brian Gutekunst would've taken defensive players on the first two days, then he would've been lambasted for not drafting receivers or helping the offensive line. With the eight picks with which they had, I felt the Packers did a phenomenal job of "spreading the love" so to speak.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

Mike mentioned DPR in relation to Collin Oliver. I googled DPR and football and all I got was some Korean football league. Can you define DPR for me?

Designated pass rusher.

Craig from Sussex, WI

With a surplus of talented offensive linemen, maybe having a rotation would be a good way to groom the newcomers.

As I said on "Three Things" after Day 2, the Packers stayed incredibly healthy on the offensive line last year outside of Jordan Morgan's shoulder issue. On average, the backups would have seen the field much more than they did in 2024. Bringing in Anthony Belton and John Williams not only gives Green Bay some flexibility past this upcoming season but also helps build depth behind the first configuration of the "starting five."

Josh from Fort Myers, FL

Hey guys, I know in the past you have spoken against moving Zach Tom inside. I wonder if the pending health of Jordan Morgan and the drafting of Anthony Belton might open that as a legit possibility. If the two youngsters prove to be part of the best five, what are the chances that Elgton Jenkins doesn't play center but RG, with Tom moving to the middle, and Jordan Morgan and Belton as the bookends?

The Packers don't flippantly make statements like they made about Aaron Banks and Elgton Jenkins if they don't intend on seeing that plan through. As we've seen, injuries can change the most well-developed plan, but I currently have Banks at left guard, Jenkins at center and Tom at right tackle written in Sharpie on my depth chart.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

It seems like the O-line and WR rooms are filled to the brim. Not a bad thing, but realistically how many spots on the 53 will each room get?

As many as they needed, truly. The Packers have carried 10 offensive linemen on their Week 1 roster for the past three years and had as many as seven receivers in 2022.

William from Dallas, TX

How long does it typically take for the team to realize exactly what they have in each new player, realizing that there is some variance?

It can take weeks. It can take years. For every Micah Hyde or Evan Williams who immediately look like they belong, there's a Rasheed Walker or T.J. Lang who takes a year or two to become entrenched starters. The way to realize potential is to monitor progress.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Dzien' Dobre Wes, the economic impact of the draft was prognosticated on a cumulative crowd estimate of 240,000 fans over three days. All signs indicated a very financially impactful weekend locally and statewide. With the crowds that gathered, it appears Green Bay knocked the cover off that estimate. I can't wait to see what was generated, especially the sale of suds. Wisconsin knows how to party!

I'll be interested to see the final numbers, but the event itself blew me away. The Green Bay draft was safe, organized and unbelievably efficient. So many people in this organization and the community deserve credit for how the draft turned out. It surpassed my wildest expectations.

Tom from Santa Paula, CA

This comment "but learning through the scouting process what players have gone through and how they've come out the other side gives them a fuller picture of who they're getting, and how they'll respond when the inevitable adversity hits at the highest level" explains precisely why Sanders was not drafted until the fifth round. He may be great, but he was never tested, never at risk of being benched, never had to submit to an OC. Now he can rise to the challenge and prove it. Thoughts?

There's two ways this thing can go – Sanders says the right things, does the right things and proves he's the ultimate Day 3 sleeper for a Cleveland Browns team in a desperate search for stability…or he fades away. It's all up to him.

Jason from Austin, TX

"The scouting conversation has changed from finding out who loves football to who needs it." In your opinion, which is the better of the two? I feel like I could argue both sides effectively. Having love for the game might prevent you from burning out when the grind gets tough. Needing the game might push you to greater heights because you can't live without the game, and so you keep yourself indispensable.

Maybe Spoff has a different interpretation, but I view needing something preferable to loving something. Love is conditional. It comes and it goes. Twenty years ago, I loved the Milwaukee Brewers. Today, I couldn't name five players on the roster. I can't speak for players, but I can speak for myself. I love the Packers but I also need the Packers to pay my bills and keep food on the table. That drives me every day I enter the building and (hopefully) shows in my work.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

When it comes to the UDFAs, is there a set amount that teams can offer them? Or do teams with a little more money in the bank have a chance to outbid the other teams for the players they really want to take a look at?

There's a cap on signing bonuses teams can pay to college free agents, but even that they can circumvent by guaranteeing a portion of that player's base contract. Either way, that money counts against the salary cap.

Ted from Findlay, OH

So, when do we find out who our UDFAs are?

Probably later this week when the rookies report.

Marcus from Tofino, Canada

I noticed Golden will be No. 22 instead of the No. 2 he wore at Texas. With Mason Crosby now officially retired, do the Packers plan to retire his number next season?

No, but Malik Willis still plans to wear it.

Skip from Rozet, WY

From comments after the draft several have the sense that the Packers' roster is set (e.g. CB, run-stuffer DL, etc.). What opportunities are left to improve the roster from now until the playoffs that we can look forward to? What are some examples of each that were significant before our past championships?

The player acquisition process never ends. Unrestricted free agency window closes this week, I believe. So, any player with an expiring contract that the Packers sign no longer counts towards the compensatory pick equation. Gutekunst has struck gold there a few times over the past five years.

Mark from Salisbury, MD

I wanted to express my appreciation for the article Cliff wrote on Tom Brown. Our community was blessed to have him live among us. Although a professional athlete who played at a high level, I believe he was an even better coach. He founded a sports league and taught many children the fundamentals of football, baseball, and basketball. He recognized that it was important for children to develop skills, and he de-emphasized the importance of winning. Having fun is what matters!

Thanks for passing that along, Mark. It sounds like Mr. Brown left quite a legacy. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Jerry from Green Bay, WI

I was at the draft on Friday night and about five rows from the gate in front. It was amazing with all these people there was no fighting or bickering. Everyone just having fun. The best stat of all three days was one arrest. That's amazing for that many people. Probably a Viking or Bear fan.

We know how to throw a fan-friendly party in Green Bay.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Wes, I hope you took some time from the fantastic work that you all did to really appreciate the atmosphere. I rarely watch any of the last two days of the draft but not this year. I was glued to the TV, not necessarily to see which players were drafted, but to view the spectacle that a city of 107,000 provided. The opportunity to include Lambeau into the scene was genius and afforded diehard Packer fans, even us that have been there, an up-close look at the greatest stadium setup in sports.

The entire event was very emotional for me because I know how much my colleagues poured into the draft. It was an absolute labor of love. I also teared up a little watching Packers influencer Tom Grossi announce the seventh-round selection of Micah Robinson. Tom is a dear friend, but he also represents the best fan base in all sports. He cares deeply about people and has used his growing platform on YouTube to raise more than $2 million for charity. I can think of no one more deserving, and did you hear that "pop" when he came out on stage? It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend I'll never forget.