Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
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Packers' Matt LaFleur may now be firmly on the hot seat after playoff collapse to Bears.
The Green Bay Packers are turning their attention toward the 2026 NFL Draft following the first wave of free agency.
Several starters have departed from the Packers this offseason. They have made a few free agent signings, such as cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, and wide receiver Skyy Moore, but still have several holes to fill throughout their roster.
Green Bay will likely address those needs mostly through the draft. Unfortunately, it does not have a pick in the first round following last year’s trade for outside linebacker Micah Parsons. The Packers own seven selections in total, and it is becoming clear how they should use them.
Cornerback Remains Green Bay Packers’ Most Pressing Need
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 07: Keisean Nixon #25 of the Green Bay Packers catches an interception during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on December 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
GettyPackers CB Keisean Nixon
While St-Juste was a solid addition, the folks over at Pro Football Focus believe that the Packers still have a lot of work to do at the cornerback position.
“The Packers are currently thin on high-end, reliable outside cornerback talent capable of matching up against the NFC’s top receivers,” PFF’s John Kosko wrote. “Failing to inject immediate juice into this position via the early rounds of the draft would severely limit the Green Bay defense’s ability to pressure quarterbacks and defend successfully against quality opponents. Prioritizing an impact cornerback is essential for turning the Packers’ defense into a reliable unit and supporting their Super Bowl aspirations.”
Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine leave a lot to be desired as Green Bay’s top two cornerbacks. The Packers should be able to get a one that can challenge for a starting role from Day 1 if they’re willing to spend their second or third round pick on the position.
Other Top Draft Needs for Packers
GettyPackers’ defense
Several positions in Green Bay’s defensive front seven could use some upgrades. Perhaps the most notable need is for a run-stuffing defensive tackle after trading Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin. Similar to cornerback, the Packers could use one of their early draft picks on a defensive tackle.
Green Bay must also find replacements for Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare at edge rusher. The two combined for 9.5 sacks in 2025, and the Packers could be without Parsons to begin the regular season. That is a lot of production to make up for. Lukas Van Ness has flashed at times, but has been inconsistent throughout his three-year career.
Other options such as Barryn Sorrell and Brenton Cox Jr. don’t have a lot of reps under their belts. Fortunately, this year’s draft is deep with quality edge rushers. Green Bay might use a mid-round pick on one who could earn rotational snaps while Parsons recovers.
On the offensive side, the Packers could use a swing tackle and backup running back. Jordan Morgan will now take over as the full-time starting left tackle with Rasheed Walker out of town, so he and right tackle Zach Tom will need a quality backup.
Emanuel Wilson is also gone, and former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd has been injury plagued. Gems can almost always be found the in late rounds at running back, and Green Bay has one pick in the sixth round and two in the seventh.