GREEN BAY – The Packers’ eight-player draft class is set to join the rest of the team this week, as Green Bay’s offseason program rolls on.
Here are eight things to know about the draft picks:
- The Steelers now own the NFL’s longest streak without taking a receiver in the first round.
The Packers’ streak of 22 consecutive years without drafting a receiver in the first round ended last month when they selected Texas’ Matthew Golden 23rd overall.
With Green Bay off the board, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the possessors of the NFL’s longest streak without drafting a wideout in the first round at 19 years (Santonio Holmes, 2006).
The next closest clubs are the Los Angeles Rams and Houston at 12 years. The Rams selected Tavon Austin eighth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft prior to the Texans taking DeAndre Hopkins at No. 27.
Golden is the first Round 1 receiver the Packers have drafted since Javon Walker in 2002 and fifth since the 1970 merger, joining Barry Smith (1973) and Pro Football Hall of Famers James Lofton (1978) and Sterling Sharpe (1988).
While first-round draft status may trigger external expectations, Golden told reporters at the Packers’ rookie minicamp he didn’t feel any additional pressure.
“I don’t pay no attention to it,” Golden said. “I got myself here being myself, so that’s all I’m gonna do and I’m gonna come in here and compete and work, just like I did my whole life. So, it’s nothing new to me. I’m just happy to be here.”
- Anthony Belton is one of the largest offensive linemen the Packers have ever drafted.
Listed at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, Anthony Belton is the heaviest offensive linemen that Green Bay has drafted since Will Whittaker in 2005 and tallest since Breno Giacomini in 2008.
Among Packers draft picks on the offensive line who played in regular-season games, only Whittaker (338 pounds) was heavier than Belton and only Bill Hayhoe (6-8), Gary Hoffman (6-7), John Michels (6-7) and Giacomini (6-7) were taller.
Belton puts that size to use, too. He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team in 2023 after registering 51 pancake blocks and then added another 35 this past year.
The Packers’ second-round pick developed rapidly into his body during high school and has learned over time how to use his imposing size to engulf the competition.
“In my opinion, a pancake block is the…
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