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The Green Bay Packers enter draft week with the two biggest roster needs being defensive tackle and cornerback. It's two positions that Brian Gutekunst could double-dip at during the 2026 NFL Draft.
This year's defensive tackle class doesn't have a clear top 15 player, and the first defensive tackle may not hear his name called until late in the first round.
That doesn't mean there isn't talent to be unearthed. With the Packers in the market for defensive tackle help, let's dive into my Green Bay Packers defensive tackle big board.
Let's file these two under the "hope they slide out of the first round" category. If these two are still on the board when Day 2 of the draft starts, there is a strong chance that at least one of the defensive tackles in the next wave will be available when the Packers are on the clock with the 52nd overall pick. It could even mean that Gutekunst could get ultra-aggressive and move up to snag McDonald, who could be a perfect fit in Green Bay.
If it weren't for lingering foot injury concerns, Banks would likely be a first-round pick. If he somehow slides to the Packers, would Gutekunst roll the dice on the Florida product, who is dripping with tools?
Miller has the power and quickness to develop into a three-down force on the interior. Hunter played a vital role in Texas Tech having the top rushing defense in college football this past season. Orange is a powerful defensive tackle, capable of clogging up running lanes. It would not be shocking to see Orange be the pick at 52 on Friday evening.
I think you can see that the top-tier talent in this class runs dry pretty quickly. If the Packers miss out on a defensive tackle prospect in the second round, they may be forced to wait until Day 3 to attack the position.
Jackson is a powerful defensive tackle who is fully capable of dominating against the run. With his frame and power, Jackson could be a solid addition to the spine of Green Bay's defense.
Proctor, Onyedim, Halton and Regis are more of gap penetrators and have juice as interior pass rushers. Any one of those four would be great pairings with Orange, Hunter or Jackson.
McClellan recorded 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 39 pressures, and 50 run stops during his two seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Florida.
This could be the sweet spot if the Packers don't address defensive tackle in the first four rounds. Barrett, Capehart and Ball are all capable of clogging up running lanes and making splash plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Konga is a hyper athletic defensive tackle. His splash plays make you jump out of your chair. He has some serious juice. Benny is a slippery defensive tackle. With a pair of fifth-round picks at his disposal, it would not be shocking to see Gutkeunst select one of these five defensive tackles.
van den Berg is one my favorite Day 3 fits for the Packers. His blend of size and athleticism is extremely enticing on Day 3 of the draft.
Durant may be too 'small' for Green Bay's liking. However, he's twitchy and is capable of causing disruptive plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Cleveland and Eason are both space eaters and could be high on their board late on Day 3 if they fail to add beef early in the draft.
The Packers have a pair of seventh-round picks and it would not surprise me if Eastern was the pick with one of them. Thompson may not have a ton of college production, but it's hard to ignore his athleticism. Brevard and Shaw are both big boys, fully capable of eating up space.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2026 draft: Defensive tackle big board
Continue reading...
This year's defensive tackle class doesn't have a clear top 15 player, and the first defensive tackle may not hear his name called until late in the first round.
That doesn't mean there isn't talent to be unearthed. With the Packers in the market for defensive tackle help, let's dive into my Green Bay Packers defensive tackle big board.
Late first-round/early second-round prospects
- Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Peter Woods, Clemson
Let's file these two under the "hope they slide out of the first round" category. If these two are still on the board when Day 2 of the draft starts, there is a strong chance that at least one of the defensive tackles in the next wave will be available when the Packers are on the clock with the 52nd overall pick. It could even mean that Gutekunst could get ultra-aggressive and move up to snag McDonald, who could be a perfect fit in Green Bay.
Second round prospects
- Caleb Banks, Florida
- Christen Miller, Georgia
- Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- Domonique Orange, Iowa State
If it weren't for lingering foot injury concerns, Banks would likely be a first-round pick. If he somehow slides to the Packers, would Gutekunst roll the dice on the Florida product, who is dripping with tools?
Miller has the power and quickness to develop into a three-down force on the interior. Hunter played a vital role in Texas Tech having the top rushing defense in college football this past season. Orange is a powerful defensive tackle, capable of clogging up running lanes. It would not be shocking to see Orange be the pick at 52 on Friday evening.
Third round prospects
- Darrell Jackson Jr, FSU
I think you can see that the top-tier talent in this class runs dry pretty quickly. If the Packers miss out on a defensive tackle prospect in the second round, they may be forced to wait until Day 3 to attack the position.
Jackson is a powerful defensive tackle who is fully capable of dominating against the run. With his frame and power, Jackson could be a solid addition to the spine of Green Bay's defense.
Fourth round prospects
- Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
- Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
- Chris McClellan, Missouri
- Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- Albert Regis, Texas A&M
Proctor, Onyedim, Halton and Regis are more of gap penetrators and have juice as interior pass rushers. Any one of those four would be great pairings with Orange, Hunter or Jackson.
McClellan recorded 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 39 pressures, and 50 run stops during his two seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Florida.
Fifth round prospects
- Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- Nick Barrett, South Carolina
- DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
- Rene Konga, Louisville
- Cameron Ball, Arkansas
This could be the sweet spot if the Packers don't address defensive tackle in the first four rounds. Barrett, Capehart and Ball are all capable of clogging up running lanes and making splash plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Konga is a hyper athletic defensive tackle. His splash plays make you jump out of your chair. He has some serious juice. Benny is a slippery defensive tackle. With a pair of fifth-round picks at his disposal, it would not be shocking to see Gutkeunst select one of these five defensive tackles.
Sixth round prospects
- Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech
- Zane Durant, Penn State
- Brandon Cleveland, NC State
- Bryson Eason, Tennessee
van den Berg is one my favorite Day 3 fits for the Packers. His blend of size and athleticism is extremely enticing on Day 3 of the draft.
Durant may be too 'small' for Green Bay's liking. However, he's twitchy and is capable of causing disruptive plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Cleveland and Eason are both space eaters and could be high on their board late on Day 3 if they fail to add beef early in the draft.
Seventh round prospects
- Deven Eastern, Minnesota
- Anterio Thompson, Washington
- Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- David Gusta, Kentucky
- Gary Smith III, UCLA
- David Blay Jr, Miami
- Cole Brevard, Texas
- Damonic Williams, Oklahoma
- Tywone Malone Jr, Ohio State
- Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
- James Thompson Jr, Illinois
- Jeffrey M'ba, SMU
- Travis Shaw, Texas
The Packers have a pair of seventh-round picks and it would not surprise me if Eastern was the pick with one of them. Thompson may not have a ton of college production, but it's hard to ignore his athleticism. Brevard and Shaw are both big boys, fully capable of eating up space.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2026 draft: Defensive tackle big board
Continue reading...
