The Packers were never quite able to replace former cornerback Jaire Alexander’s production last season.
After releasing Alexander in the spring, the Packers relied heavily on Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, but the secondary proved to be wildly inconsistent through much of the 2025 campaign.
After dealing a pair of first-round draft picks in a blockbuster trade last summer to acquire generationally dominant edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Packers could look to prioritize adding major cornerback help in this spring’s 2026 NFL Draft.
Packers urged to add a lockdown cornerback in the NFL Draft
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
General manager Brian Gutekunst and Green Bay aren’t projected to make a selection in the first round but could still find a game-altering cornerback during the upcoming draft.
Over at Pro Football Focus, analyst John Kosko put together an ideal pick for each team, including the Packers landing Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood with their second-round choice.
“Following Jaire Alexander’s release last offseason,” Kosko writes for PFF. “The Packers are missing a true difference-maker at the cornerback position. Hood has the capabilities to be that caliber of player, as he finished 2025 with an 80.3 PFF coverage grade after transferring to Tennessee from Colorado.”
Hood, six feet and 195 pounds is a physical presence on the outside, and is coming off a strong season with one interception and 50 total tackles.
If Gutekunst can land a talent like Hood in the second round, the Packers may finally boast the elite secondary needed to ensure their massive investment in Micah Parsons isn’t wasted by a leaky back end.