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The Green Bay Packers are going into the 2026 NFL draft with only eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after another promising season fell apart late. Despite three straight playoff appearances, the Packers haven't finished higher than the No. 7 seed in the postseason field or advanced past the divisional round during the Jordan Love era. Without a first-round pick due to the Micah Parsons trade, the Packers will need to win Day 2 and 3 to find contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.
Can the Packers use the 2026 draft to finally get over the hump in the NFC?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at wide receiver:
Low. Although the Packers lost Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks, the receiver room remains well stocked entering 2026. Matthew Golden, a 2025 first-round pick, will ascend into a starting role, replacing Doubs. Savion Williams, a 2025 third-round pick, is the new No. 4 option, replacing Wicks. The Packers also signed Skyy Moore, who is expected to be the primary returner, and Bo Melton returns after moonlighting at corner in 2025. That's six guys who can play real snaps at receiver and are expected to be 53-man roster players. With Christian Watson as the vertical/big-play threat and Jayden Reed back to man the slot, the Packers have most roles covered at receiver in the short term.
Moderate. Only Golden and Williams are under contract past this season, but Watson is expected to get a new deal at some point this year, and Reed is another extension candidate. However, adding a rookie to the mix would reset the clock at receiver, providing a cheap, four-year contract and a player to develop behind the returning veterans. The Packers likely traded away Wicks in part to open up this possibility. Wicks, who was entering the final year of his deal, was unlikely to be re-signed. A draft pick provides long-term stability at a key position.
Moderate to high. Do the Packers have to draft a receiver? No, and extensions for Watson and Reed might lower the chances even more. But from a roster-building standpoint, a pick at receiver makes sense. Wicks was traded away, freeing a roster spot at receiver and opening the door for a hand-picked developmental player. And with another draft pick in tow via the trade, the Packers can afford to spend one on a "luxury" pick at receiver.
Good. At nearly every point in the draft, a strong Packers fit at receiver is likely to be found. The second to third round looks like a sweet spot, but even if the Packers don't want a receiver that high -- which is probably likely -- attractive options are available on Day 3. They can trust their high-hit-rate process at receiver and feel confident in finding a player worth developing after Day 2. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has 41 receivers with a draftable grade, and a good chunk are in the fourth round or lower range.
Last wide receiver drafted: Matthew Golden, first round, 2025; Savion Williams, third round, 2025
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers draft preview: Dontayvion Wicks trade opens up possibilities at WR
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Can the Packers use the 2026 draft to finally get over the hump in the NFC?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at wide receiver:
On the roster
- Christian Watson (signed through 2026)
- Jayden Reed (signed through 2026)
- Matthew Golden (signed through 2028)
- Savion Williams (signed through 2028)
- Skyy Moore (signed through 2026)
- Bo Melton (signed through 2026)
- Jakobie Keeney-James (signed through 2026)
- Isaiah Neyor (signed through 2026)
- Will Sheppard (signed through 2026)
Short-term need
Low. Although the Packers lost Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks, the receiver room remains well stocked entering 2026. Matthew Golden, a 2025 first-round pick, will ascend into a starting role, replacing Doubs. Savion Williams, a 2025 third-round pick, is the new No. 4 option, replacing Wicks. The Packers also signed Skyy Moore, who is expected to be the primary returner, and Bo Melton returns after moonlighting at corner in 2025. That's six guys who can play real snaps at receiver and are expected to be 53-man roster players. With Christian Watson as the vertical/big-play threat and Jayden Reed back to man the slot, the Packers have most roles covered at receiver in the short term.
Long-term need
Moderate. Only Golden and Williams are under contract past this season, but Watson is expected to get a new deal at some point this year, and Reed is another extension candidate. However, adding a rookie to the mix would reset the clock at receiver, providing a cheap, four-year contract and a player to develop behind the returning veterans. The Packers likely traded away Wicks in part to open up this possibility. Wicks, who was entering the final year of his deal, was unlikely to be re-signed. A draft pick provides long-term stability at a key position.
Chances of drafting the position
Moderate to high. Do the Packers have to draft a receiver? No, and extensions for Watson and Reed might lower the chances even more. But from a roster-building standpoint, a pick at receiver makes sense. Wicks was traded away, freeing a roster spot at receiver and opening the door for a hand-picked developmental player. And with another draft pick in tow via the trade, the Packers can afford to spend one on a "luxury" pick at receiver.
Depth of draft class
Good. At nearly every point in the draft, a strong Packers fit at receiver is likely to be found. The second to third round looks like a sweet spot, but even if the Packers don't want a receiver that high -- which is probably likely -- attractive options are available on Day 3. They can trust their high-hit-rate process at receiver and feel confident in finding a player worth developing after Day 2. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has 41 receivers with a draftable grade, and a good chunk are in the fourth round or lower range.
Potential options, last WR drafted
- Chris Bell - Louisville (53)
- Germie Bernard - Alabama (56)
- Ted Hurst - Georgia State (77)
- Elijah Sarratt - Indiana (80)
- Skyler Bell - UConn (82)
- Bryce Lance - North Dakota State (89)
- De’Zhaun Stribling - Ole Miss (126)
- Jeff Caldwell - Cincinnati (151)
- Josh Cameron - Baylor (161)
- Caleb Douglas - Texas Tech (225)
- Tyren Montgomery - John Carroll (234)
- Anthony Smith - ECU (N/A)
Last wide receiver drafted: Matthew Golden, first round, 2025; Savion Williams, third round, 2025
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers draft preview: Dontayvion Wicks trade opens up possibilities at WR
Continue reading...
