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The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
Green Bay’s Week 1 starting offensive line of the 2025 season consisted of Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom. When the Packers open the 2026 season, the offensive line could look quite different. Walker and Rhyan will hit free agency this offseason and Jenkins could be a cap casualty.
It seems very unlikely that Walker will be back in Green Bay. The door is still open for Rhyan to earn a second contract and could be the team's starting center if they manage to re-sign the former third-round pick. Maybe, by some magical Russ Ball wizardry, the Packers can restructure the contract for Jenkins and the former second-round pick stay in Green Bay
Regardless of what happens, Brian Gutekunst will likely look to bolster the depth of the offensive line during the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target on Day 3 of the draft is Febechi Nwaiwu. The Oklahoma interior offensive lineman checks in at No. 90 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A transfer from North Texas and a former zero-star recruit, Nwaiwu started 18 games at right guard and two at right tackle for North Texas. During his first season with the Sooners in 2024, Nwaiwu started 13 games at right guard. This past season, he started one game at left guard, two at center and 10 at right guard.
"Oklahoma's offensive line was bad in 2024," Carson Field, a reporter for Sooners on SI, said. "The Sooners came into 2025 without an identity on the line, but Febechi helped them find it. He was, of course, stout in pass protection and consistently improved as a run-blocker. I think his versatility and willingness to move around get overlooked. He played at both guard spots in 2025, and he took over at center in the last two games due to an injury to Jake Maikkula. His teammates and coaches regularly went out of their way to praise Nwaiwu’s leadership and constant growth at media availabilities."
The Commodores may have had Nwaiwu in mind when they wrote the song Brick House. The Sooner product is built like a tank and stays square to defenders. Nwaiwu has a powerful upper half and strong hands to control defenders at will. He has a strong anchor and doesn't give ground against power. He's always looking for work and has a high football IQ. This past season, he gave up zero sacks and two pressures.
"Even with his giant frame, Febechi is quick," Field said. "His twitchiness and instincts made him hard to elude in each of the last two seasons, helping keep John Mateer clean."
As a run blocker, the North Texas transfer has the grip strength to sustain. A former track athlete, Nwaiwu has the strength to drive defenders downfield. He's quick to advance to the second level and hit his landmarks.
"His run blocking isn’t what his pass blocking is, but it has consistently improved," Field said. "He was held below 60 in terms of PFF run-blocking grades in the first four games, but he surpassed that mark in six of the final nine games of 2025. PFF grades aren’t perfect, but it was plain to see that OU’s backs — and Mateer — had more holes to run through in the back half of the season, compared to early on."
The Packers need to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Nwaiwu's ability to play both guard spots and center will make him an attractive late Day 3 target for the Packers.
"Ultimately, it’s Febechi’s development that makes me believe that he could be special in the NFL," Field said." He went from a walk-on to an impressive Group of Five player to an SEC star. His pass-blocking was among the best nationally in 2025, and while professional football is a different animal, performing so well against SEC defensive linemen should suit him well for his NFL career."
The Sooner product was lights out in pass protection this past season and improved each game as a run blocker. With his power and versatility, Nwaiwu would provide quality depth across the interior and it would not be shocking to see the former zero-star recruit earn a starting spot down the road.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 90, Oklahoma OL Febechi Nwaiwu
Continue reading...
Green Bay’s Week 1 starting offensive line of the 2025 season consisted of Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom. When the Packers open the 2026 season, the offensive line could look quite different. Walker and Rhyan will hit free agency this offseason and Jenkins could be a cap casualty.
It seems very unlikely that Walker will be back in Green Bay. The door is still open for Rhyan to earn a second contract and could be the team's starting center if they manage to re-sign the former third-round pick. Maybe, by some magical Russ Ball wizardry, the Packers can restructure the contract for Jenkins and the former second-round pick stay in Green Bay
Regardless of what happens, Brian Gutekunst will likely look to bolster the depth of the offensive line during the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target on Day 3 of the draft is Febechi Nwaiwu. The Oklahoma interior offensive lineman checks in at No. 90 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A transfer from North Texas and a former zero-star recruit, Nwaiwu started 18 games at right guard and two at right tackle for North Texas. During his first season with the Sooners in 2024, Nwaiwu started 13 games at right guard. This past season, he started one game at left guard, two at center and 10 at right guard.
"Oklahoma's offensive line was bad in 2024," Carson Field, a reporter for Sooners on SI, said. "The Sooners came into 2025 without an identity on the line, but Febechi helped them find it. He was, of course, stout in pass protection and consistently improved as a run-blocker. I think his versatility and willingness to move around get overlooked. He played at both guard spots in 2025, and he took over at center in the last two games due to an injury to Jake Maikkula. His teammates and coaches regularly went out of their way to praise Nwaiwu’s leadership and constant growth at media availabilities."
The Commodores may have had Nwaiwu in mind when they wrote the song Brick House. The Sooner product is built like a tank and stays square to defenders. Nwaiwu has a powerful upper half and strong hands to control defenders at will. He has a strong anchor and doesn't give ground against power. He's always looking for work and has a high football IQ. This past season, he gave up zero sacks and two pressures.
"Even with his giant frame, Febechi is quick," Field said. "His twitchiness and instincts made him hard to elude in each of the last two seasons, helping keep John Mateer clean."
As a run blocker, the North Texas transfer has the grip strength to sustain. A former track athlete, Nwaiwu has the strength to drive defenders downfield. He's quick to advance to the second level and hit his landmarks.
"His run blocking isn’t what his pass blocking is, but it has consistently improved," Field said. "He was held below 60 in terms of PFF run-blocking grades in the first four games, but he surpassed that mark in six of the final nine games of 2025. PFF grades aren’t perfect, but it was plain to see that OU’s backs — and Mateer — had more holes to run through in the back half of the season, compared to early on."
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Nwaiwu's ability to play both guard spots and center will make him an attractive late Day 3 target for the Packers.
"Ultimately, it’s Febechi’s development that makes me believe that he could be special in the NFL," Field said." He went from a walk-on to an impressive Group of Five player to an SEC star. His pass-blocking was among the best nationally in 2025, and while professional football is a different animal, performing so well against SEC defensive linemen should suit him well for his NFL career."
The Sooner product was lights out in pass protection this past season and improved each game as a run blocker. With his power and versatility, Nwaiwu would provide quality depth across the interior and it would not be shocking to see the former zero-star recruit earn a starting spot down the road.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 90, Oklahoma OL Febechi Nwaiwu
Continue reading...
