The Green Bay Packers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: address glaring defensive weaknesses and find a starting-caliber cornerback. After three days and seven rounds, the franchise walked away with six selections that have drawn sharp praise from analysts, with the haul headlined by second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse and a surprising third-round edge rusher steal in Denny Dennis Sutton. The draft class, graded an A-minus by one prominent Packers analyst, signals a front office that executed a disciplined, need-based strategy despite limited capital.
The Packers did not own a first-round pick, forcing General Manager Brian Gutekunst to maximize value from the second round onward. The team’s first selection came at No. 52 overall, where they landed Cisse, a 20-year-old cornerback from an undisclosed program. Analysts had ranked Cisse as the 42nd overall prospect, making his fall to Green Bay a coup. One analyst described the pick as an A, citing Cisse’s elite athletic traits and willingness as a run defender, though his instincts remain raw. The selection directly addressed the team’s most pressing need: an outside cornerback who can compete for a starting role immediately. This was a glaring hole last season, and the Packers had failed to address it until the seventh round in 2025.
The third round brought a trade-up that sparked debate. Green Bay moved up to select defensive tackle Chris McClellan at No. 101 overall, surrendering a fifth-round pick in the process. Analysts graded the move a B-plus, praising McClellan’s fit in the defensive scheme but questioning the cost. The trade cost the Packers a fifth-rounder, a round where the team has historically found starters and impact players. McClellan projects as a rotational interior lineman behind established starters Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave, but the analyst expressed a desire for a player who could challenge for a starting role on defense, particularly at edge rusher or offensive line.
The fourth round delivered what many consider the draft’s best value. With the 120th overall pick, the Packers selected edge rusher Denny Dennis Sutton from Penn State. The analyst awarded the pick an A-plus, calling it his favorite of the entire draft. Sutton, a consistent production machine with a combination of bull rush power and spin move finesse, was projected to go much higher. The analyst had mocked Sutton to Green Bay in multiple simulations and was stunned to see him available at 120. The pick adds depth to an edge rusher room that currently features Michael Parsons and question marks, with Baron Serell and Colin Oliver still unproven.
The fifth round brought a mixed reaction. The Packers selected center Jagger Burton from Kentucky at No. 160 overall, a pick graded B-minus. Burton is a versatile interior offensive lineman who can play guard or center, fitting the Packers’ typical mold for offensive line depth. However, the analyst noted that other players at that spot would have been preferred. Burton could challenge Anthony Beltton for a guard spot or provide competition for Shawn Ryan, but the pick was not considered a home run. The analyst emphasized that a B-minus grade is still solid, reflecting the team’s overall disciplined approach.
The sixth round produced a strong value pick. The Packers selected cornerback Demani Jackson from Alabama at No. 200 overall, a player the analyst had taken in multiple mock drafts. Jackson fits the Packers’ prototype for cornerbacks: tall, long-armed, and athletic. His weaknesses in man coverage are mitigated by defensive coordinator Jonathan Gana’s zone-heavy scheme. The analyst graded the pick highly, noting that Jackson offers significant upside and fits the team’s historical preference for physically imposing defensive backs.
The seventh round brought a surprise. The Packers traded back into the draft to select kicker Trey Smack, a move initially graded B but upgraded to B-plus by the analyst. Smack was a reliable college kicker, and the selection puts pressure on incumbent Brandon McManus, who struggled in the playoffs. The analyst praised the move as a way to ensure the team has a reliable kicker who won’t cost them in critical moments, referencing a wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears.
Overall, the Packers’ draft class earned an A-minus grade from the analyst, who noted that the team hit its three biggest needs: cornerback, interior defensive line, and edge rusher. The first three picks—Cisse, McClellan, and Sutton—were all strong players, with two being absolute favorites. The team did not address wide receiver, but that was deemed acceptable given the depth already on the roster. The analyst praised Gutekunst for maximizing six picks and addressing weaknesses without reaching.
The Packers now turn their attention to undrafted free agency and training camp, where Cisse is expected to compete for a starting cornerback job, Sutton will vie for edge rusher snaps, and Smack will challenge McManus. The draft class, while lacking a first-rounder, has injected youth and competition into key positions. The franchise’s Super Bowl window remains open, and this draft class could provide the final pieces needed for a deep playoff run.
The analyst concluded by expressing exhaustion after three days of coverage, noting that between two channels, he and his producer Gage produced roughly 25 to 30 videos. The final message was clear: the Packers did what they needed to do, and now it’s time to play football. The draft is in the books, and Green Bay fans have reason to be optimistic.
Every pick is under the microscope after a bold draft.
