The Green Bay Packers’ draft class is in the books with their big three picks being used on a cornerback, defensive tackle and pass rusher.
The draft is being used currently to offset some of the losses the Packers suffered this offseason. They had Romeo Doubs, Jordan Morgan, Quay Walker and Kingsley Enagbare among others leave in free agency.
Rashan Gary was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts and Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles in addition to their free agent defections.
Now, with the class in the books, there are some questions as to how each player is going to fit on this team.
The first pick of the draft is likely to be the one with the most eyes on it. Brandon Cisse is going to have an opportunity to compete for time on the field. Cisse joins a cornerback group that currently has Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine set to be their starters on the boundary, with Javon Bullard likely handling slot cornerback duties.
Cisse said he can play inside or outside in this defense but will likely start his career trying to learn his way on the boundary. With the way last season ended, the Packers will need all the help they can get in a secondary that was in tatters after Micah Parsons was lost for the season with an ACL injury.
On the defensive front, the Packers needed some reinforcements after injuries tore them apart a season ago. Chris McClellan and Dani Dennis-Sutton should both be able to help fill some respective needs in Green Bay. McClellan can move all over the interior defensive line, while Dennis-Sutton gives them some depth while Parsons rehabs from his knee injury.
Jager Burton gives them depth on the offensive line; he could find his way onto the field if Sean Rhyan or one of the guards falters in training camp.
The old adage in the NFL is that if you are not getting better, you’re getting worse. The question now is whether the Packers have gotten better this offseason.
Coming off a season where they finished a disappointing 9-8-1, they exited in the first round of the NFC playoffs with an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears.
For now, the potential is there. Jordan Morgan could be an upgrade over the 2025 version of Rasheed Walker. Letting Walker go and handing the keys to their former first-round pick was a no-brainer.
The Packers hope that Zaire Franklin can provide more stability than what Walker did over his four years in Green Bay, but that remains to be seen.
At receiver, Doubs was allowed to leave in free agency, but the Packers believe they have their receiving corps of the future locked in.
Jayden Reed signed a contract extension just before the second day of the draft began and will be in Green Bay for the next three years.
Brian Gutekunst reiterated that he hopes to get a contract extension done with Christian Watson. Combine those two with last year’s draft choices — Savion Williams and first-round pick Matthew Golden — the Packers feel like their passing game is in good shape.
There are questions at edge rusher with Gary and Enagbare both leaving in free agency, but the Packers likely feel like they’ve replaced them with more snaps coming for Lukas Van Ness, who will be a starter for the first time in his career since being taken in the first round.
Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver will compete along with Dennis-Sutton for the rotational snaps behind Van Ness and Parsons once he is healthy.
The defensive line is likely in a much better spot with the addition of Javon Hargrave and McClellan replacing Wooden.
If the Packers were to look at doing some more shopping in the free agent market, one position could be pass rusher or defensive tackle.
Players like Calais Campbell are still available, and he played for the Packers’ new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon in Arizona.
Campbell is the oldest player in the NFL but still has plenty of juice to offer a defense. He has never won a championship either, so the hunger to play for a contender could be there.
At pass rusher, Haason Reddick played for Gannon in Philadelphia where he enjoyed the two best seasons of his career. If the Packers are looking for a cheaper veteran option, Reddick could reunite with his former defensive coordinator.
If they want to go the more expensive route, Joey Bosa remains available on the open market and had a solid season for the Buffalo Bills in 2025.
Ultimately, the Packers’ roster is in a good spot if they had to play a game tomorrow. With the draft likely being the final piece of the offseason to add major contributors to the roster, Gutekunst has done his job.
Domani Jackson
Trey Smack
