The Green Bay Packers have officially closed the book on the 2026 NFL Draft, and the verdict is in from analysts who watched every pick unfold over three grueling days. With six selections across seven rounds, General Manager Brian Gutekunst walked away with a class that one prominent draft analyst graded as an A-minus, praising the team for addressing its most glaring weaknesses while securing potential steals in the middle rounds. The draft was headlined by second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse and third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan, but it was a later-round edge rusher who stole the show and earned the highest individual grade of the entire haul.
The Packers entered the draft with a clear and urgent mandate: find an outside cornerback who could compete for a starting job immediately. That mission was accomplished in the second round when the team selected Brandon Cisse with the 52nd overall pick. The 20-year-old cornerback, who was ranked as the 42nd overall prospect by NFL draft expert Tom Downey, fell into Green Bay’s lap after a surprising slide. Analysts raved about his athletic traits, his willingness to defend the run, and his youth, even as they acknowledged his instincts are still developing. The pick was graded an A, with one analyst admitting he had highlighted Cisse as a top target just the night before the draft began.
The decision to trade up for Chris McClellan in the third round drew a more measured response. The defensive tackle out of Florida was selected after the Packers surrendered a fifth-round pick to move up, a move that left some analysts questioning the value. McClellan was graded a B-plus, with experts noting he projects as a rotational piece behind established starters Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave. While his fit in the defense is solid, the cost of the trade and the missed opportunity to target a potential starter at edge rusher or offensive line left a slight sour taste. Still, the pick was not condemned, as McClellan is expected to contribute immediately in the interior rotation.
The undisputed star of the Packers’ draft class was Penn State edge rusher Deny Dennis Sutton, selected in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick. Sutton earned an A-plus grade, the highest of any Green Bay pick, and was described as a consistent production machine who combines power with finesse. Analysts noted his ability to execute a bull rush and a spin move, making him a versatile threat off the edge. The fact that he was still available at 120 was considered a gift, and the Packers were praised for pulling the trigger rather than double-dipping at cornerback. With Michael Parsons leading a room full of question marks, Sutton provides a much-needed injection of pass-rushing talent.
The Packers addressed their offensive line depth in the fifth round with Kentucky center Jagger Burton, a pick that drew a B-minus grade. Burton was described as a typical Green Bay offensive lineman, versatile enough to play anywhere on the interior. Analysts believe he could push for a guard spot, challenging Anthony Belton or even Shawn Ryan, while providing insurance for the oft-injured Aaron Banks. The grade was solid but not spectacular, with some experts noting there were other players available at that spot they would have preferred. Still, the pick was not a failure, as Burton fits the team’s philosophy of building depth in the trenches.
In the sixth round, the Packers selected Alabama cornerback Demani Jackson, a pick that earned high praise for its value. Jackson was graded as a strong addition, with analysts highlighting his athletic upside and size, which fit the Packers’ typical profile for the position. His weaknesses in man coverage were actually seen as a strength, given defensive coordinator Jonathan Gana’s preference for zone schemes. The pick was described as a classic Green Bay move, targeting a tall, long-armed cornerback who could develop into a starter. Analysts noted that Jackson was a player they had taken in multiple mock drafts, underscoring the sense of value.

The final pick of the Packers’ draft was kicker Trey Smack, selected in the seventh round after the team traded back into the draft to get him. Smack was initially graded a B, but that was quickly bumped to a B-plus after further analysis. The move was seen as a direct challenge to incumbent kicker Brandon McManus, who struggled in a playoff loss to the Chicago Bears. Analysts praised the Packers for creating competition at a critical position, noting that Smack was a reliable college kicker who could provide stability. The pick was a clear signal that the team is unwilling to tolerate another playoff collapse due to special teams failures.
Overall, the Packers’ 2026 draft class was graded an A-minus, with analysts noting that the team hit its biggest needs with its first three picks. Cornerback, interior defensive line, and edge rusher were identified as the three weakest positions on the roster heading into the draft, and the Packers addressed all three with quality players. The double-dip at cornerback with Cisse and Jackson was seen as a smart move, even as the team passed on wide receiver. The addition of a kicker in the seventh round was a bonus, and the offensive line depth provided by Burton was a solid, if unspectacular, addition.
Analysts were quick to point out that the Packers did not have a ton of picks, making the efficiency of their selections even more impressive. With only six picks, Gutekunst managed to find potential starters, rotational pieces, and a kicker who could push for the job. The team did not reach for need, instead letting the board fall to them and capitalizing on value when it appeared. The decision to trade up for McClellan was the only move that drew significant criticism, and even that was tempered by the belief that he will contribute.

The draft class was not without its risks. Cisse is young and raw, and his instincts will need to develop quickly if he is to start as a rookie. McClellan is a rotational player, not a guaranteed starter, and the cost of trading up may prove steep if he does not outperform his draft position. Sutton, despite his impressive production, is still a fourth-round pick with questions about his ability to translate his game to the NFL. Jackson and Smack are projects, though both have the tools to succeed. Burton is a depth piece, not a star.
But the overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive. The Packers entered the draft with clear needs and left with a class that addressed them directly. The team did not panic, did not reach for players, and did not waste picks on luxury selections. The focus was on building a roster that can compete now, while also adding young talent for the future. The A-minus grade reflects a draft that was solid, smart, and effective, even if it was not flashy.
The reaction from fans and analysts has been largely enthusiastic, with many praising the selection of Cisse and Sutton as potential steals. The decision to trade up for McClellan has been debated, but most agree that the defensive tackle will be a valuable piece. The kicker pick was a surprise, but it was a welcome one for a fan base still smarting from a playoff loss that was partially blamed on special teams. The Packers did not make a splash, but they made smart, calculated moves that should pay dividends.
As the team turns its attention to undrafted free agents and training camp, the focus will shift to how these players perform on the field. The draft grades are just a starting point, and the true test will come in pads. But for now, the Packers can feel good about what they accomplished over three days in April. They addressed their needs, added depth, and found value in the middle rounds. The 2026 draft class may not be remembered as one of the greats, but it could be the foundation for a team that is ready to compete.

The Packers now have a roster that is deeper and more balanced than it was a week ago. The cornerback room has a new face who could start, the defensive line has a new rotational piece, and the edge rusher group has a potential playmaker. The offensive line has a versatile backup, and the kicking game has a challenger. The team did not add a wide receiver, but that was not a priority given the existing talent on the roster. The focus was on defense and special teams, and the Packers delivered.
The draft was a marathon, not a sprint, and the Packers ran it well. They did not have a first-round pick, but they made the most of their second-round selection. They traded up when they saw value, and they traded back in when they saw an opportunity. They did not force picks, and they did not ignore needs. The result is a class that is solid from top to bottom, with no obvious busts and several potential hits.
The A-minus grade is a reflection of that consistency. The Packers did not have a home run pick, but they also did not have a strikeout. Every pick was a single or a double, and that is a winning formula in the NFL draft. The team added players who can contribute now and develop into starters later. The class is not flashy, but it is effective. And in the NFL, that is often enough.
The Packers now head into the offseason with a clearer picture of their roster. The draft class will be evaluated for years to come, but the early returns are positive. The team addressed its biggest weaknesses, added depth, and found value. The 2026 draft is in the books, and the Packers have a reason to be optimistic. The grades are in, and they are good. Now it is time to play football.