- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,226
- Reaction score
- 59
The Green Bay Packers have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but Matt LaFleur may yet enter the 2026 NFL season on the hot seat.
The reason? The Packers have earned the NFC's No. 7 seed in each of the last three campaigns. While Green Bay became the first-ever No. 7 seed to win in a game in a 48-32 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 postseason, it hasn't won a playoff contest since.
That includes the Packers' wild-card game last season, during which they blew a 21-3 lead over the Chicago Bears to lose 31-27 be one-and-done for a second consecutive season.
Green Bay will look avoid the same fate in 2026 despite enduring several offseason losses, including left tackle Rasheed Walker, edge rusher Rashan Gary, linebacker Quay Walker and backup quarterback Malik Willis.
The Packers own plenty of selections with which to address their depth during the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they are without a first-round pick because of the Micah Parsons trade, so it will be imperative for Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay's front office to hit on some of the team's many Day 3 picks to shape the team into a contender.
Here's everything to know about the Packers' picks, needs and outlook for the 2026 NFL Draft:
The Packers have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
The Packers do not have a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft as a result of the preseason trade they made to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys.
This section will be updated after the Packers make their first selection.
The Packers are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme under Jonathan Gannon, so they will need to shore up their defensive tackle depth even after signing Javon Hargrave in free agency. Targeting a big-bodied defender like Domonique Orange – a.k.a. "Big Citrus" – with their second-round selection could be an option.
How desperate were the Packers for cornerback help in 2025? They added Trevon Diggs to the fold after the Cowboys released him. Green Bay signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency after his strong performance with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, but that won't be all it does to upgrade the cornerback depth behind Keisean Nixon.
Micah Parsons may miss the start of the 2026 NFL season while recovering from a torn ACL. Meanwhile, 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has only posted 8.5 total sacks across 43 career games and may be entering a contract year. Green Bay could target a pass rusher to help fill in for Parsons while he's injured while serving as a successor to Van Ness in 2027.
Here's what the Packers could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Packers NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...
The reason? The Packers have earned the NFC's No. 7 seed in each of the last three campaigns. While Green Bay became the first-ever No. 7 seed to win in a game in a 48-32 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 postseason, it hasn't won a playoff contest since.
That includes the Packers' wild-card game last season, during which they blew a 21-3 lead over the Chicago Bears to lose 31-27 be one-and-done for a second consecutive season.
Green Bay will look avoid the same fate in 2026 despite enduring several offseason losses, including left tackle Rasheed Walker, edge rusher Rashan Gary, linebacker Quay Walker and backup quarterback Malik Willis.
The Packers own plenty of selections with which to address their depth during the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they are without a first-round pick because of the Micah Parsons trade, so it will be imperative for Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay's front office to hit on some of the team's many Day 3 picks to shape the team into a contender.
Here's everything to know about the Packers' picks, needs and outlook for the 2026 NFL Draft:
Packers 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Packers have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's the complete list:
- Round 2, Pick 52
- Round 3, Pick 84
- Round 4, Pick 120
- Round 5, Pick 153 (from Falcons via Eagles)
- Round 5, Pick 160
- Round 6, Pick 201
- Round 7, Pick 236
- Round 7, Pick 255
The Packers do not have a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft as a result of the preseason trade they made to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys.
Packers NFL draft grades
This section will be updated after the Packers make their first selection.
Packers 2026 NFL Draft needs
Defensive tackle
The Packers are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme under Jonathan Gannon, so they will need to shore up their defensive tackle depth even after signing Javon Hargrave in free agency. Targeting a big-bodied defender like Domonique Orange – a.k.a. "Big Citrus" – with their second-round selection could be an option.
Cornerback
How desperate were the Packers for cornerback help in 2025? They added Trevon Diggs to the fold after the Cowboys released him. Green Bay signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency after his strong performance with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, but that won't be all it does to upgrade the cornerback depth behind Keisean Nixon.
Edge rusher
Micah Parsons may miss the start of the 2026 NFL season while recovering from a torn ACL. Meanwhile, 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has only posted 8.5 total sacks across 43 career games and may be entering a contract year. Green Bay could target a pass rusher to help fill in for Parsons while he's injured while serving as a successor to Van Ness in 2027.
Packers 2026 NFL mock draft
Here's what the Packers could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly's seven-round mock draft:
- Round 2, Pick 52: Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
- Micah Parsons is on the mend from his late-season ACL tear which could see him miss some time to start 2026. With that in mind, Green Bay grabs the productive Jacas with their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Illinois edge had 85 pressures and 20 sacks in his last two years and is rising up board with his athleticism. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, he’d likely hit the size requirements for the Packers’ edge rushers.
- Round 3, Pick 84: LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
- Trotter brings ideal size to the position (6-foot-3, 237 pounds) with productivity as a pass rusher. He could stick more off-ball to help fill the void left by Quay Walker or contribute off the edge as Micah Parsons returns from injury.
- Round 4, Pick 120: DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
- Round 5, Pick 153: DT Rene Konga, Louisville
- Round 5, Pick 160: IOL Beau Stephens, Iowa
- Round 6, Pick 201: TE Dae’Quan Wright, Ole Miss
- Round 7, Pick 236: QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech
- Round 7, Pick 255: WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Packers NFL draft tracker 2026: Full list of picks, live grades
Continue reading...
