The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers run defense improved dramatically during the 2024 campaign under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
During Joe Barry’s final season as defensive coordinator in 2023-2024, the Packers gave up 4.4 yards per carry and 2,181 yards on the ground, which ranked 28th in the league. This past season they gave up four yards per carry and 1,689 yards, which ranked seventh in the league.
If the Packers want to continue their upward trajectory against the run next season, a player they could target in the 2025 NFL Draft is Jamaree Caldwell. The Oregon defensive tackle checks in at No. 67 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Caldwell started his college career at the JUCO level before transferring to Houston in 2022. During his two seasons in Houston, Caldwell recorded 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Caldwell transferred to Oregon for the 2024 season and recorded five tackles for loss and knocked down three passes.
“Caldwell was one of the most underrated players on Oregon’s defense this past year,” Zachary Neel, the Oregon Ducks beat reporter for Ducks Wire, said. “He didn’t amass incredible stats that will make him alluring to the average fan, but when you watch his tape and see how destructive he was in the middle, eating up double-teams and filling rushing lanes, it’s clear that he was a hugely impactful addition.”
At 6-2, 342 pounds, Caldwell is a space eater. He has the mass and powerful base to clog up running lanes. Simply put, he’s a roadblock.
While he can two-gap and keep linebackers clean, he has the quickness and power to penetrate the backfield and create chaos. He locates the ball and has a motor that runs hot, showcasing the lateral quickness to make plays.
“Simply put, Caldwell is just a big body,” Neel said. “He moves much better than you would expect for someone his size. He’s got a really quick first step that helps him get off the line and into the backfield before opposing offensive linemen can get set.”
Caldwell has violent hands. For a man his size he has good initial burst off the snap and has some twitch to him. With his powerful lower and upper half, he can be a force inside when he plays with the proper leverage. While he didn’t record a sack during his lone season in Eugene, he did record 25 pressures.
“His ability to get off the line like an edge-rusher gives him an advantage against bigger and less mobile interior offensive linemen,” Neel said. “His size and reach allow him to move guards off their spot once he gets a full head of steam going.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers could be looking to replace TJ Slaton this offseason. The former Florida Gator is set to hit free agency and given how talented the defensive tackle class is in the upcoming draft, Gutekunst could opt to go the younger, cheaper route.
Caldwell could be the path forward. He’s ready to step in on Day 1 and be part of the rotation along the interior. He is a roadblock against the run and offers upside as an interior pass rusher.
‘If I’m looking for a veteran defensive lineman who has a lot of experience at multiple levels of college — JUCO and D1 — then Caldwell is a good fit,” Neel said. “This isn’t a high-ceiling project player who needs development in the NFL, but rather an experienced player who has proven that he can play at a high level.”
Slaton was a solid rotational piece for Green Bay’s defensive line. If he doesn’t earn a second contract with the Packers he will have finished his time at 1265 Lombardi Avenue with two sacks and six tackles for loss.
The Packers need their defensive line to create more havoc next season. Caldwell could help in multiple ways. With his ability to eat up double teams, he’d keep linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper free to allow them to do what they do best. He also has the quickness to create havoc against the run and offers pass rush upside. If Caldwell is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the fourth round, his talent may be too good to pass up.