The Green Bay Packers still have things to take care of in the draft. And there are many directions they can go, despite not having a first-round selection. And here are the Packers’ bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Entering with seven picks, the Packers won’t get their first choice until No. 52. That means they will need to be very wise with that selection. This is true for a team that views itself as a Super Bowl contender.
Their top needs are edge rusher, cornerback, and offensive line. And that means their boldest move needs to be position-specific for Round 2.
Packers will grab an edge rusher even if they need to trade up
There’s a chance the Packers can find 2026 edge rushing help at No. 52. But there’s also a chance a good option will slip away. That’s why GM Brian Gutekunst needs to boldly keep his hand on the phone for a possible trade.
Which edge rushers should they keep an eye on in the second round? Five who could be in the mix are Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Zion Young (Missouri), Malachi Lawrence (UCF), R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), and Derrick Moore (Michigan). The best news about that list is the volume. The second round will likely have edge rushers available for the Packers.
But sorting through things, how would those guys rank? Looking at Pro Football Focus, it goes Young, Thomas, Jacas, and Lawrence. Moore would fall in after that.
So, who is the best option in that group, according to NFL Draft Buzz? It’s Thomas. NFL Draft Buzz calculates him as an early second-round pick, which means the Packers might not get a shot at him.
But Thomas isn’t the perfect prospect.
“Thomas is a pass rush weapon, full stop,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “That first-step explosion, the ability to bend the corner at absurd angles, and the violent speed-to-power conversion are traits that translate directly to Sundays. Watch the 2024 Auburn tape or the fourth-quarter sack against South Carolina, and you see a player who can take over a game when it matters most. There is no manufacturing that kind of burst or that kind of competitive fire. He has it, or he does not, and Thomas has it in spades.”
Still, the limitations are part of the picture, too.
“At 249 pounds with shorter arms, he is going to struggle holding up against the run in a traditional four-down front,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “Stronger offensive linemen will move him off his spot, and the injury history raises fair questions about whether his body can hold up to a 17-game schedule plus playoffs. He needs a defensive coordinator who understands how to deploy him rather than asking him to be something he is not on early downs. An odd-front scheme with a wider alignment gives him space to operate and reduces the physical punishment he absorbs at the point of attack.”
Perhaps the limitations push him into a spot where the Packers can pounce. But Young may drift deep enough for the Packers. He could develop well at the NFL level, according to NFL.com.
“Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength, and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents.
“Young’s physical tools and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run-stopping upgrade with average rush.”
Packers won’t pass on a WR opportunity
The third round is where the Packers will face a crossroads. Will a good enough cornerback be on the board?
If not, don’t count on the Packers looking past a wide receiver who can add to their depth. They don’t like having an Alpha receiver anyway, so another depth piece for Jordan Love makes sense.
In that third-round range, the Packers might be tempted by Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt still being on the board. Georgia’s Zachariah Branch would also cause pause for the Packers’ brass.
Sarrat has starting potential down the road, according to NFL.com.
“Big receiver whose competitiveness and elite catch-phase execution allow him to overcome his athletic limitations,” Zierlein wrote. “While he’s nicknamed ‘Waffle House’ because he’s said to be ‘always open,’ Sarratt sees a high number of contested targets versus man coverage.
“He’s tight-hipped with below-average foot quickness and falls below the line as a separator. Once the throw goes up, however, he consistently beats corners with size, body control, and catch-space strength to clean up.”
That works in the Packers’ approach, as they can scheme him open.
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