The Draft’s Best-Kept Secret: Why Packers Coaches Are Betting Big on John Williams

In the chaotic final rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, few outside Green Bay noticed when the Packers used their No. 250 overall pick to snag Cincinnati offensive tackle John Williams. But inside Lambeau Field’s war room, this wasn’t just another late-round flier — it was a carefully calculated move that could quietly shape the Packers’ offensive line for years to come.

John Williams is anything but an ordinary prospect. A two-year starter at left tackle for the Bearcats, Williams combines on-field durability with rare academic prowess — majoring in aerospace engineering. His mental discipline and problem-solving skills stand out in a position that demands quick thinking and technical precision. Packers coaches see those traits as foundational for his development at the professional level.

Physically, Williams brings a lot to the table. At 6-foot-5 with long arms and a stout frame, he offers the raw materials NFL teams covet. His Relative Athletic Score — a key measure of explosiveness and agility — was an impressive 7.60 as a tackle. When projected as a guard, that score soars to a jaw-dropping 9.09, suggesting he could be a dynamic interior lineman if the Packers choose to move him inside.

Yet it’s his versatility that truly caught Green Bay’s eye. In an era where offensive line depth can make or break a season, the ability to flex between guard and tackle is gold. The Packers’ coaches believe Williams, with the right development, could become a valuable “swing lineman” — the kind of player who can step in anywhere across the line without missing a beat.

There’s work to be done, of course. Scouting reports point to issues with body control and decisiveness, and Williams has a tendency to bend at the waist, which NFL defensive linemen will exploit if not corrected. But coaches are betting that his quick first step, football intelligence, and raw strength give him the tools to overcome these flaws with time.

Green Bay’s pre-draft visit with Williams made one thing clear: they believe in his upside. He may not crack the starting lineup immediately, but in a league where linemen drop like flies, a player like John Williams could quietly become one of the Packers’ smartest bets from the 2025 draft.