Rising, Athletic Lineman Will Have Predraft Visit With Packers

On the offensive line, there’s been a shift for the Green Bay Packers from athletic to powerful. One thing hasn’t changed, and that’s how they covet versatility.

The Packers are scheduled to host Illinois guard Josh Gesky on a predraft visit, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson. Gesky fits the mold in one way: He’s a big man at 6-foot-5 1/4 and 329 pounds. He’s incredibly athletic for his size, too.

Josh Gesky is a OG prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.63 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 71 out of 1867 OG from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/yVCFg8qz9o pic.twitter.com/E2gIsjFMyM
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 31, 2026

What he hasn’t demonstrated is versatility. In four seasons at Illinois, he played 2,200 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Of those, 2,070 were at left guard, 103 were at right guard (in 2023) and 17 were at right tackle or an extra tight end (2022).

Gesky was locked in at left guard the past two seasons, when he earned honorable mention on the all-Big Ten team. According to PFF, he allowed two sacks and 19 pressures and was penalized three times in 2024. In 2025, he cut that back to one sack, 12 pressures and one penalty.

He also was an honorable mention on the all-conference team in 2023, and he was a four-time academic all-Big Ten selection.

A slimmed-down Gesky had an eye-opening pro day workout.

“I wanted to obviously show how fast I am here, so I’m a little bit lighter now. I’m able to move," Gesky told 247’s Illini Inquirer. “I’m able to show I can play at 308, I’m able to play at 330. Whatever teams need me at, I’m going to be able to go out there and show them I can do it.

“I thought today was a great opportunity to show them that. I felt really good about the numbers I put up. I worked a lot of long hours, a lot of people to thank for it, a lot of work went into it. All my speed coaches, all my strength coaches, very grateful for all the work they put in.”

Before the 2025 season, Illini coach Bret Bielema said Gesky was “playing at a different level” than in previous seasons.

Bret Bielema says Josh Gesky might've been the most improved player for the #Illini this spring.

"He was good last year but I just think he's at a different level."

Talking about Gesky and Kreutz here: pic.twitter.com/hlmNM0PCPq
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) June 19, 2025

Sure enough, according to Sports Info Solutions, he slashed his blown-block count from 24 to 14, including from 19 to eight on run plays.

It’s that level – along with the athleticism – that could get Gesky drafted.

“At the end of the day, they’re watching the game tape," he told RG.org. “The tape speaks for itself. They’re going to see what they see on tape. And I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, keep getting better, keep doing the growth that I’ve been doing, live the same routine, not get caught up in anything going on – the media, the hype, all that.”

Gesky spent the year working toward his major’s in public health. That career is going to have to get pushed to the background, though, with his NFL dreams about to come true.

If he were to join the Packers, he’d bring critical depth at a position group that doesn’t have much. The departures of Rasheed Walker and Elgton Jenkins left a 1,525-snap hole in the depth chart. Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan, who had been part-time starters, will move into the starting lineup. That leaves only Darian Kinnard as a proven backup.

Gesky pointed to his work ethic as a reason why he’ll be a success.

“I like to model my game after players that I watch as being really tough, being gritty, guys that are more like me,” Gesky told RG.org.

“I like to watch Zack Martin, guys that their work ethic has kept them in the game and made them who they are, because I like to think that my work ethic is what’s kept me here and what’s allowed me to be here, along with, obviously, God giving me great genetics. But I’d like to think that’s what’s going to give me the edge against other people.”

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