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 used a pair of Top 100 picks on the linebacker position during the 2024 NFL Draft. With Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper on the roster, the Packers have two potential building blocks at the position. Ty’Ron Hopper, last year’s third-round pick could take on a more meaningful role with Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie set to hit free agency.
If the Packers want to continue to add top-end talent to that room to team with Cooper and Walker, a potential target is Carson Schwesinger. The UCLA linebacker checks in at No. 81 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A zero-star recruit and former walk-on, Schwesinger enjoyed a breakout campaign this past season for the Bruins.
After playing as a reserve during the first two games of the season, Schwesinger earned his first start of his career against LSU and responded with 12 tackles and a .5 tackle for loss. During the next nine games, Schwesinger recorded 115 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
The former walk-on led the Big 10 conference in tackles this past season and was a Butkus Award finalist.
“Schwesinger almost single-handedly transformed the Bruins’ defense from a mediocre unit to one of the better ones in the Big Ten once he was made a starter a couple of games into the season,” Ben Bolch, a UCLA beat writer for the Los Angeles Times said. “His aggressive, attacking mindset seemed to rub off on the teammates around him and his ability to make one play after another galvanized the entire defense.”
Schwesinger earned the nickname Captain America at UCLA and has a relentless play style and a motor that doesn’t quit. He also has a mind like Dr. Strange. He’s able to quickly diagnose the action in front of him and sees plays unfold before they happen.
“Schwesinger’s ability to diagnose plays before the snap sets him apart,” Bolch said. “He is always looking for keys–alignments, pre-snap movement, quarterback body language–that might tell him where a play is going. This is why he finds himself in the position to make so many plays.”
Schwesinger has excellent pursuit speed and is able to weave through the trash. He’s a tackling machine and takes away run lanes. The UCLA linebacker has an explosive trigger and flies into the gap like he was shot out of a cannon. He has strong hands as a tackler and comes to balance at contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Schwesinger finished this past season with 50 run stops.
“Predicting what is likely to happen on a play allows Schwesinger to meet the ball carrier near the line of scrimmage to make the tackle,” Bolch said. “He’s also strong and fast, traits that help him shed would-be blocks and wrap-up running backs.”
Schwesinger shows the lateral mobility to make plays in coverage. He gets proper depth in his drops and does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes.
“Schwesinger has good speed to be a linebacker who can make plays in coverage and not get beat,” Bolch said. “His instincts also help him understand where the ball is likely to be thrown.”
Schwesinger finished his career at UCLA with 569 special teams snaps and 15 special teams tackles. With his relentless play style and quickness, Schwesinger could continue to be a core special teams player at the next level.
Fit with the Packers
Despite missing time due to injury, Cooper managed to record 13.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his rookie season. He looked like a future star in the making.
Walker looked like he was taking steps in the right direction down the stretch run of the season before he missed time due to an injury. The former Georgia Bulldog could be in store for a breakout season of sorts during his fourth year in the league.
With those two on the roster, the Packers have two potential building blocks at the linebacker position and it remains to be seen what they have in Hopper.
The star potential is there. The depth could be taking a major hit with Wilson and McDuffie set to hit the open market.
A former walk-on to leading the Big 10 in tackles, it’s safe to say that Schwesinger’s best football could be in front of him. With his instincts, movement ability and grit, Schwesinger could be an ideal fit with Cooper and Walker.
“Schwesinger’s rise from a walk-on to college All-American isn’t the end of his story, it’s just the beginning,” Bolch said. “He has the potential to be an All-Pro linebacker in the NFL and the cornerstone of a defense. His quiet yet relentless work ethic is also something that can set an example in a locker room and galvanize a team.”
If a team lands Schwesinger in the draft, at worst they are getting a future special teams demon. That’s his floor. His ceiling is a player who could lead the league in tackles while making splash plays against the run.
After spending a pair of Day 2 picks on the linebacker position a year ago, it’s hard to imagine the Packers spending another Top 64 pick on linebacker again. However, if he’s on the board when the Packers are on the clock, Schwesinger would likely be one of the top players on the board. That talent would be hard to pass up.