The Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks are set to square off in their final preseason matchup before the 2025 NFL regular season kicks off. For many players on the bubble, this game is essentially an audition their last chance to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. Of course, the reality is that a good number of those taking the field will ultimately be released once rosters are trimmed down.
As is typical in a preseason finale, Green Bay isn’t expected to play many of its established starters, and those who do suit up will likely see very limited action in order to stay healthy for Week 1. Still, there are several players who, while considered safe roster locks, are worth watching closely. Some haven’t quite lived up to expectations in the past, others are short on NFL experience, and a few are being counted on to step into larger roles this year.
Those individuals will be under the spotlight early in the regular season, with fans and analysts alike hoping they can deliver performances that represent a clear upgrade over previous years. Meanwhile, for those interested in betting, outlets like GGBET UK are already updating player props for Packers talent as anticipation builds for the season ahead.
Defensive End Lukas Van Ness
One of the biggest storylines out of Packers training camp has been the progress of third-year defensive end Lukas Van Ness. Drafted 13th overall in 2023 with the first-round pick Green Bay received in the Aaron Rodgers trade, Van Ness entered the league as a high-upside prospect the team knew would take time to develop.
His first two seasons reflected that learning curve. As a rookie under then–defensive coordinator Joe Barry, Van Ness saw action on just 33% of the team’s defensive snaps but still managed to record 4.0 sacks. In his sophomore season, he played a bit more 39% of the snaps though his production dipped slightly to 3.0 sacks.
Part of the challenge for Van Ness has been adjusting to change. He’s had to learn under two different defensive coordinators with very different systems, something that can stall growth for even the most talented young players.
Now, with a full year in Jeff Hafley’s scheme and another offseason of development, the 23-year-old looks ready to take on a much larger role. Coaches project him to line up as a starter opposite Pro Bowler Rashan Gary on the defensive front. Early training camp performances have fueled optimism that 2025 could be the year Van Ness finally puts it all together and delivers his breakout season in Green Bay.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper
A player generating plenty of buzz heading into the 2025 season is second-year linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Taken by Green Bay in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper impressed as a rookie despite battling through injuries that sidelined him for several games. In just 13 appearances, he filled the stat sheet with 87 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four passes defended production that quickly turned heads across the league.
What makes those numbers even more impressive is that Cooper wasn’t a full-time starter for much of the season. The Packers eased him in early, limiting his defensive snap count to under 50% during the opening stretch before eventually ramping him up. By season’s end, he had played 55% of the defensive snaps overall, showcasing his impact in a rotational role.
Looking ahead, the expectation is that Cooper will take over as a full-time starter in his second year. Coaches anticipate he’ll be on the field for over 90% of the defensive plays, and if his per-snap production from last season holds up with that increased workload, he has the potential to deliver one of the most productive seasons by a Packers linebacker in recent memory.
Cornerback Carrington Valentine
One of the headline moves of the NFL offseason was Green Bay’s decision to part ways with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. The Packers also moved on from Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine, both of whom played significant snaps in the secondary last year.
While Alexander and Stokes struggled to stay healthy in 2023 and 2024, it was Carrington Valentine who quietly emerged as a stabilizing force in the Packers’ defensive backfield. A seventh-round pick who entered the league with little fanfare, Valentine has put together an impressive body of work. Across more than 1,200 defensive snaps over his first two seasons, he has surrendered only one touchdown and that came back in 2023. Last year, he didn’t allow a single score in coverage.
With Alexander and Stokes now playing elsewhere, Valentine is all but locked in as one of Green Bay’s starting cornerbacks for 2025. Without the bigger names ahead of him on the depth chart, analysts and fans are expected to pay much closer attention to his play recognition that is long overdue.
If the Packers’ pass rush improves this season, as many believe it will, Valentine could see more chances to create turnovers. Adding interceptions to his already stellar coverage résumé would not only boost his profile but could also cement him as one of the league’s most underrated defensive backs.