Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has spent the offseason trying to fill needs in free agency. For the most part, it’s been bringing in veterans to replace departing players or to fortify weaknesses. While Gutekunst has made additions at linebacker, defensive tackle and cornerback and retained players like Sean Rhyan, the Packers have not addressed one important position. This spot has become even more vital due to the switch to new defensive coordinator Jonthan Gannon. That would be nose tackle.
The Packers will be switching to a 3-4 base defense under Gannon after playing a 4-3 base under Jeff Hafley. But playing a 3-4 requires a nose tackle in the middle of the line. The Packers have only one player on their current roster who can be described as a nose tackle and that is second-year man Nazir Stackhouse.
The Packers signed Stackhouse as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. He joined his college teammate Warren Brinson who the team selected in the sixth round of the draft. Brinson is more of a traditional defensive tackle while Stackhouse plays the role of a run-stuffing nose tackle. He provides very little pass rush but at 6’4” and 327 pounds, Stackhouse has the ability to stand his ground at the point of attack and occupy multiple blockers.
In his rookie season, Stackhouse saw limited action. He played just 19 percent of the Packers defensive snaps in the 13 games he played. Like many depth players on the Packers roster, he started the 2025 season finale against the Vikings. He also saw limited action on special teams.
Stackhouse made 12 total tackles as a rookie. Like most rookies, he showed flashes of ability but struggled at times as he adjusted to the size and speed of NFL opponents.
Pro Football Focus was less than impressed with Stackhouse’s performance. He graded out as below average in nearly every category listed for a defensive tackle. His best grade came in pass coverage which he did not get many opportunities to do.
The Packers did make moves at defensive tackle this offseason. They traded Warren Brinson to the Colts in the deal that brought linebacker Zaire Franklin to Green Bay. The also signed free agent Javon Hargrave who will provide more push in the pass rush along the interior. But the team hasn’t added a pure nose tackle.
While it’s possible Gutekunst will add a low-cost free agent or a post-June 1st cut before the start of training camp, the draft would be the most likely source to acquire a nose tackle to fit Gannon’s scheme.
There are two highly regarded players the Packers could target on day two of the draft (since they don’t have a first-round pick this year or in 2027). One is Domonique Orange out of Iowa State. Nicknamed “Big Citrus”, Orange has great size to clog up the middle at 6’2” and 325 pounds. Orange can provide both run stopping ability and get some push as a pass rusher. He recorded 4.5 sacks in 2024 while still playing the run well.
The other top candidate who can help immediately at nose tackle would be Christen Miller out of Georgia. We all know how much Gutekunst loves Georgia players and Miller would add to the team’s Bulldog alums. Some scouts see some Kenny Clark in Miller, a player who could both stop the run and penetrate to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
However, the Packers could have an issue with Miller because as of now, he has not gone through the full array of athletic testing which Gutekunst values highly, especially in the early rounds of the draft.
Most NFL teams do not consider nose tackle to be a premium position. In fact, a true nose tackle may only play 20-25 percent of the defensive snaps. However, for the Packers, it remains a glaring need. Will Gutekunst address it on day two of the draft, or will he wait until the late rounds? Either way, don’t be surprised if the Packers add one or more likely two nose tackles before the start of the 2026 season.