There are several directions the Green Bay Packers could go with their first selection in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerback, defensive line, and offensive line are naturally the positions the fanbase expects the team to prioritize, given the roster’s most obvious needs.
However, another position flying under the radar could also make sense for the Packers with their first selection: tight end.
Don’t get me wrong, Tucker Kraft is an All-Pro-caliber tight end. But he’s returning from a torn ACL and could very well begin the season on the PUP list. Furthermore, the outlook for the position group in both the short- and long-term is concerning. Luke Musgrave is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will most likely be gone after the 2026 season. Josh Whyle is a solid third-string option, but not much more than that.
The Packers ran 33.76% of their offensive plays in 12-personnel last season, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. It has been a tendency in Matt LaFleur’s offense for years. Green Bay ranked first in that category in 2022, third in 2023, and 13th in 2024.
That usage is not random. Offenses from the Shanahan coaching tree are built around getting under center, running the ball, and setting up play action. Having two tight ends on the field helps with that because it puts bigger bodies on the edges of the formation, which can give the offensive line extra help in the run game. It also gives the offense more flexibility with motion, allowing tight ends to move across the formation before the snap to change blocking angles, influence the defense, and disguise where the play is going.
But that invites an important question: How can Green Bay continue to prioritize 12-personnel if their best tight end might begin the season on the PUP list and their second option is not a reliable blocker? If the Packers want to keep this element of their offense intact, they may need to think about reinforcing the position.
Sure, using pick No. 52 on a player who might only play around 34% of the snaps may seem questionable at first, especially when the Packers already have an All-Pro-caliber tight end on the roster. But if Green Bay goes in another direction — like defensive line or cornerback — can we realistically expect that rookie to start right away? Probably not.
On the defensive line, Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave are the most likely starters on the interior. On the edge, Lukas Van Ness should hold one of the starting spots. Even though the other side is still uncertain while the team waits to see when Micah Parsons will return, the reality is that a rookie would likely rotate with Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver rather than carry a heavy workload.
It’s a similar thought process at cornerback. Regardless of who Green Bay drafts, it’s unlikely that player will start from Day 1. Most of the snaps will probably go to Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Benjamin St-Juste.
The Packers don’t immediately give rookies much responsibility. Just look at 2024. They didn’t give Evan Williams and Edgerrin Cooper meaningful playing time until about the second month of the season, even though they were better than Isaiah McDuffie and Javon Bullard, who were ahead of them on the depth chart.
Green Bay could also choose an interior offensive lineman. However, the team just paid Sean Rhyan to be the starting center, and they already have Aaron Banks on a sizable contract. Those players are not earning that kind of money to sit on the bench.
A rookie would likely come in to compete with Anthony Belton for a starting guard spot. Even then, it’s not guaranteed he would see meaningful playing time immediately. Reports have indicated that the Packers view Belton as a potential right guard of the future, which could limit a rookie’s role in his first season.
Just like at any other position, a rookie tight end would come in and compete for a role. However, the current state of the position group arguably offers the clearest path for a rookie to see the field immediately. With uncertainty around Tucker Kraft’s availability early in the season, there could be immediate opportunities for meaningful snaps. And it’s worth noting that Luke Musgrave was outsnapped by John FitzPatrick at one point during the 2025 season.
Even once Kraft returns, drafting a tight end could still create long-term value. If Kraft maintains his All-Pro level of play, that rookie could eventually carry significant trade value. Beyond that, the move could even open the door for Green Bay to consider trading Musgrave before the deadline, adding another pick and building up their draft capital for 2027.
Tight end is not the direction I would go with pick No. 52. However, it would be difficult to argue that the idea lacks justification. In the short term, the Packers could use another player to help sustain their heavy use of 12-personnel. In the long term, adding a young tight end could also carry value if Kraft continues to perform at an All-Pro level, potentially giving Green Bay another asset that could hold significant trade value down the line.