The Packers aren’t projected to select in the first round of April’s upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, but that might not prevent general manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay from emerging with at least one-game altering talet throughout the draft.
Green Bay is likely going to prioritize bolstering a secondary that underachieved last season, as new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon arrives to replace Jeff Hafley, who departed to become the Miami Dolphins’ next head coach.
‘Ideal’ NFL Draft Haul for Green Bay Packers revealed
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, left, and general manager Brian Gutekunst are shown during a joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Over at Pro Football Focus, NFL analyst Bradley Locker put together an “ideal” draft haul for every team across the NFL, including the Packers emerging with cornerback Chandler Rivers.
“Green Bay’s brass seemed to express contentment with its cornerback room,” Locker points out for PFF. “But the bunch sat 13th in overall PFF grade, and both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are 2027 free agents. Rivers could give the team inside-outside versatility after boasting a 74.5 PFF coverage grade or better in both man and zone last year.”
The Packers’ secondary became a bit of a weak link last season, but Rivers could be a difference-maker.
Last season, Rivers, 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, produced a career-high 59 tackles last season at Duke, while intercepting two passes and breaking up eight more.
As Gannon looks to instill a more aggressive philosophy in Green Bay, adding a versatile, high-motor corner like Rivers could be the catalyst for a total secondary transformation. If Gutekunst can land this kind of ‘game-altering’ talent without a first-round pick, the Packers’ defense may finally have the teeth to match their high-powered offense in 2026.