NFL 2026 Draft Review: Green Bay Packers (Opinion)

The Green Bay Packers appeared to be a shoo-in to win the NFC North Division last season even after losing DE Micah Parsons and TE Tucker Kraft to injury. With four games left in the NFL regular season, the Pack Attack were 9-3-1 and a 3 1/2 game lead in the division.

The Packers just collapsed by not winning another game for the rest of the season after DE Micah Parsons tore his ACL in the next game. The Packers did not win the division because the Chicago Bears won their last four games of the regular season to take the North.

To make matters even worse, Green Bay then had to go to Chicago to play in the Wild Card game. After choking away home field advantage, the Packers then choked away the playoff game. After being up 21-6 at the end of the third quarter, Green Bay lost the game 31-27 in one of the craziest comebacks in NFL Wild Card history. For some strange reason, the Packers chose not to fire head coach Matt Lafleur after his constant playoff meltdowns since 2019.

Now, the Packers will have to put that season behind them and focus on the new season with new draft picks. Here is who they picked in this year's NFL Draft.

Round 2, Pick 20: Brandon Cisse - CB - South Carolina. 6'0", 189 lbs (27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 5 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble).

Cisse is equally solid in man-to-man press coverage and in zone coverage. He should see some time in the defensive backfield rotation for the Packers.

Round 3, Pick 13: Chris McClellan - DT - Missouri. 6'4", 313 lbs (48 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 pass deflections).

McClellan is a disruptive force up the middle. He should definitely see some time in the defensive tackle rotation for Green Bay.

Round 4, Pick 20: Dani Dennis-Sutton - DE - Penn State. 6'6", 256 lbs (42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles).

Dennis-Sutton saw significant time as a pass-rusher during his four-year career at Penn State. He will have a chance to see plenty of playing time during the start of the season because Parsons will miss the first half of the season due to the injury from last season.

Round 5, Pick 13: Jager Burton - C - Kentucky. 6'4", 312 lbs.

Burton was a four-year starter for the Wildcats. He has a chance to compete for the starting position at center. If he does not win the starting center spot, then he will add depth to the interior of the offensive line.

Round 6, Pick 20: Domani Jackson - CB - Alabama. 6'1", 194 lbs (39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass deflection).

Jackson adds depth to the secondary. As a taller corner, he may be used against tall wide receivers in the red zone.

Round 6, Pick 35: Trey Smack - PK - Florida. 6'1", 188 lbs (27/28 on extra points, 18/22 on field goals).

The Packers are seeking to make Smack their placekicker this season after Brandon McManus missed a field goal and an extra point in their playoff debacle against the Bears. However, Smack is struggling in minicamp. Fortunately for him, he will have a chance to win the kicking competition in training camp if he rights the wrongs next month.

Overview: Focusing on defense was the Packers' objective in this draft because their lacked of defensive depth caused for Green Bay to fade away in December and in January. The Packers did not choose to upgrade at wide receiver in this Draft even though Dontayvion Wicks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Romeo Doubs signed with the New England Patriots. Grade: C-.

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