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.
During Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator, Green Bay’s pass rush has run a little hot and cold. Before the Minnesota Vikings did what they wanted, Green Bay’s pass rush was on a heater when they were at US Bank Stadium during week 17. In the two games prior, the Packers’ defense recorded 10 sacks and 64 pressures.
Last week’s performance proves that the Packers, like most NFL teams, could always use another pass rusher.
Ethan Downs is a prospect that Brian Gutekunst could target in the 2025 NFL Draft as he looks to add depth up front. The Oklahoma defensive end checks in at No. 99 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
An Oklahoma native, Downs became a starter for the Sooners during his sophomore season and responded with 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. In 2023, Downs recorded 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception. This past season the Sooner defensive end recorded nine tackles for loss and three sacks.
“As a homegrown Sooner from Weatherford, Oklahoma, Downs was always a player who wore his love for OU on his sleeve,” Parker Thune of Rivals.com said. “From the moment he stepped on campus, he proved to be a tremendous leader by example for his teammates, and his work ethic and dedication to greatness, both on an individual and team level, made him a highly respected locker room figure.”
Downs is the type of player that defensive and special team coordinators will be pounding the table for when Day 3 of the draft rolls around. His motor is always running. The Sooner defensive end brings the same effort snap-to-snap and is gritty. During his time at Oklahoma, he logged 382 snaps on special teams with three tackles.
Watch the motor on display:
“Downs’ greatest strength is his motor,” Thune said. “At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, he’s been gifted with the size and athleticism to play defensive end at the P4 level, but what makes him a legitimate NFL prospect is his level of effort on every snap. He’s relentless in pursuit, vicious at the point of attack and constantly executes assignments properly.”
Downs is a physical presence up front, and his relentless play style really shows up against the run. He has physical hands to stun offensive linemen, and he sets a hard edge. The Oklahoma native shows great football awareness and possesses urgent attacking skills.
“Downs’ ability to set the edge is a notable strength of his game, and it’s an area in which he’s continually improved over the course of his collegiate career,” Thune said. “He’s not going to be easily moved off the line of scrimmage, and he’s typically able to shed blocks quickly and either narrow or clog running lanes. If given a window to blow up a play in the backfield, rarely will Downs over-pursue and miss the tackle.”
Downs strikes with power and gets offensive tackles moving backward. He has an array of hand tactics. During his three years as a starter Downs recorded 12 sacks and 88 pressures.
“As a pass rusher, Downs has the ability to win with power or with finesse,” Thune said. “He’s not the fastest or most “bendy” rusher, but he’s well above average in both departments. He’s attentive to technique and demonstrates an astute understanding of leverage, which is a necessity for any defensive end with a minus wingspan.”
Fit with the Packers
Downs isn’t the longest or most explosive defensive end and nobody will confuse him for the next Jared Allen. What Downs brings to the table is a player who is a relentless worker who will bring the same energy each day throughout the week and on every snap on Sundays.
“Downs will nail the interview process; that is without question,” Thune said. “He’s a natural-born leader who will have an exceedingly positive influence in any locker room. He’s also been gifted with exceptional athletic tools, and boasts a well-rounded game that should make him a welcome addition at defensive end for any conventional 4-3 scheme. He’s not a sack merchant and probably never will be, but he’s more than capable of carving out a lengthy NFL career at defensive end, simply because he does all the things he’s asked to do — and he does them well.”
As Day 3 picks are concerned, Downs is exactly what you are looking for if you are the Packers. A depth piece up front, who could carve out a role as part of the rotation at defensive end, while providing an immediate impact on special teams.
