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PackersNow

Ben Kurkowski
354 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 14, 25
Get the latest updates on the Green & Gold because it’s always Packers season at PackersNow.

Episodes

The Packers have officially released Jaire Alexander. Was it a smart financial move—or a decision that could come back to haunt them? Host Ben Kurkowski breaks down the logic, the risk, and the real story behind the surprising cut.Then we shift to the Top 5 Packers set to either bounce back or break out in 2025, from Jordan Love and Lukas Van Ness to rising stars like Tucker Kraft.But there's a problem—the offensive line might be in serious trouble. With injuries, contract holdouts, and a lack of depth at center, the Packers could be risking it all in 2025.Is this a championship-caliber roster—or a house of cards?
-The Packers are in a difficult spot financially-Elgton Jenkins is refusing to show up to offseason practices, this could've been avoided. -The Packers lack the star talent to win a Super Bowl-The positives and negatives of the 2025 schedule-Why Continuity is the biggest driver of the Packers 2025 Super Bowl hopes
I don't work full-time in the front office for the Packers, but I think with knowing this NFL Draft class now, it's easy to say the Packers made a slew of mistakes over the course of the offseason, that will put our 2025 success in jeopardy, and really force our hand as we deal with salary cap implications in 2026.
Last year right now we can say that Brian Gutekunst had 2 successful draft picks, Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams, there may be more, only time will tell. If I was in charge and we look back at last years draft I would have had 2 successful draft picks as well, Edgerrin Cooper and Cooper Dejean. It's important to truly evaluate how our front office is making decisions, because right now it's pretty easy to say that we wish we had Cooper Dejean over Evan Williams. That's what we do today is breakdown how I would have done the draft differently taking advantage of trade down opportunities, and using the consensus board to get steals which Brian Gutekunst never did in this entire draft.
In today's episode we give you a full breakdown of this alien like draft class from Brian Gutekunst, where there is hope that these players could be special players in the NFL, but also valid reasons that they won't.
In the first round the Packers break their streak of not selecting a first round WR by drafting WR Matthew Golden out of Texas, who I'm honestly not to fond of. The Packers messed up an incredible opportunity to trade down with the Giants with so many similar talented players, trading down would've been the best bet. We finish by identifying the best players the Packers should go after on Day 2.
In today's episode, we used our data which proved that using the consensus board to stay away from reaches and find steals within the draft is the best way to find success. Listing out every player and move the Packers will make over a 7 round mock draft for the Packers. These are based off consensus projections which means this mock draft is plausible even if I don't think the Packers would pull the trigger on a lot of these moves.
NFL teams love to trust their gut. But the data says... maybe they shouldn't. In this episode of PackersNow, Ben Kurkowski dives into four years of draft results to explore a simple but powerful idea: what if teams just followed the Consensus Draft Board? Using Arif Hasan's rankings and the NFL Mock Draft Database, Ben breaks down:Why "steals" hit way more than "reaches"How the Eagles used this strategy to build a Super Bowl rosterWhich 2025 prospects are being overlooked right nowHow the Packers can win the draft by letting value come to themIf you care about a long-term winner in Green Bay, this episode is for you. Data-backed strategy. Real draft examples, Practical Packers insight
If there is something I'm known for over the years, it's finding value, and here we begin to understand the value in the NFL Draft. Where are great players, being ranked fairly low considering what they could become in the NFL. So we go position by position to figure out some of my favorite players in this draft class, and where we could target them in the draft.
Which prospects are actually worth trading up for? Who the Packers should sprint the card in for if they fall to us? Why certain edge rushers scream "trade back"? A dream scenario where Green Bay turns pick 23 into 42, 67, and 73. Whether you're Team Tetairoa, building for depth, or want Gutey to make a splash-this episode's for you.