Green Bay Packers general manager, Brian Gutekunst, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. February 25, 2025.
Getty
Green Bay Packers general manager, Brian Gutekunst, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. February 25, 2025.
The Green Bay Packers are not likely to make any more significant moves in free agency.
That means all focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is just over one month away. The Packers have seven total picks, but do not have one in the first round due to the trade for outside linebacker Micah Parsons last year.
Green Bay still has some needs to address throughout its roster, but already has a good core group of players in place to get the team to where it wants to be. There has been a recent trend for the Packers in mock drafts that could signal what position they will address in the mid rounds.
Green Bay Packers Predicted Take Edge Rusher With Early Pick in Several Mock Drafts
Missouri EDGE Zion Young
GettyEdge rusher Zion Young
It is debatable what exactly is the Packers’ most pressing need, but edge rusher is certainly among them. There are multiple recent mock drafts that feature Green Bay using one of its higher picks on an EDGE. Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly of USA Today predicted that the Packers will select Missouri’s Zion Young at No. 52 overall:
“Green Bay could use more help on the offensive line after losing some pieces in free agency, but the value isn’t there on the board at this point. At 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds − and with good production in 2025 (6½ sacks and 16½ TFLs) − Young could step in for departed OLB Rashan Gary here.”
Nick Kosko of On3 also mocked Young to Green Bay in the second round. Young has impressive size and plays with a high motor. He should make an instant impact as a run defender. Young will mostly rely on his power as a pass rusher, but needs to continue to develop his handwork and establish at least one finesse pass rushing move.
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus has Alabama’s LT Overton going to the Packers in the third round at No. 84 overall. Overton is another big, powerful EDGE who can eat up space and contribute against the run immediately. However, he has a ways to go to be a productive pass rusher.
Finally, the folks over at Tankathon mocked Auburn’s Keyron Crawford to Green Bay in the fourth round at No. 120 overall. Crawford is the opposite of Young and Overton, as he is a highly athletic pass rusher who possesses high end speed. How Crawford will hold up strength-wise in the NFL is a concern, but he is an intriguing project player.
Other Needs Packers Could Address in Early Rounds
Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur
GettyGreen Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and HC Matt LaFleur
Another position that needs a clear cut upgrade is cornerback. Fortunately, this year’s draft class is considered to be very deep with quality corners, potentially enabling Green Bay to find a starting caliber one in the middle rounds.
The Packers could also use a run-stuffing defensive tackle after trading Colby Wooden. Unlike cornerback, this year’s class isn’t very deep at defensive tackle, so they may need to use their second round pick on one if they want someone who can make a difference right off the bat.
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.