The Green Bay Packers didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft because of the Micah Parsons trade last summer. However, there are already promising signs that rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse could wind up performing like a first-round talent before long.
Cisse, a 5-foot-11 cornerback out of South Carolina, was selected by Green Bay with the 52nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was viewed as a very physically talented defensive back with high upside but a lot of room for growth and development. The 21-year-old cornerback reported to Packers training camp with an outside shot of earning the No. 2 cornerback spot opposite Keisean Nixon and he’s now firmly in the mix for it.
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With veteran Carrington Valentine still sidelined by a minor injury, Green Bay’s top rookie drew the start in the team’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. A day after the game, Packers cornerbacks coach Daniel Bullocks offered glowing praise of Cisse’s NFL debut and highlighted one particular reason why the fan base should be excited about his future.
As documented by Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Green Bay’s cornerbacks coach revealed that Cisse is a “no party, all ball” type of player. He even cited examples, with the rookie cornerback texting his position coach both early in the morning and late at night to both talk football and send clips of other NFL corners he wants to learn things from.
Why Brandon Cisse’s Work Ethic Really Matters
Having that caliber of work ethic and dedication to the intricate details of the game matters for any player. However, it feels particularly important for a cornerback who lacked consistency in college and was viewed as a great athlete whose instincts and football IQ needed to improve.
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“Teams will be willing to take a chance on Cisse’s explosive athleticism and upside, but a refinement runway might be needed to smooth some of the rougher edges. He’s scheme-versatile in coverage and is an A-rated run supporter. Work ethic and athletic testing will work in his favor. However, a lack of instincts and break anticipation could cost him in coverage against quality route runners. His press will become a more effective weapon with technical work and his route recognition should improve with more reps. Cisse’s traits and competitiveness are clear selling points, but a lack of on-ball production and coverage consistency create a more volatile floor.”
Brandon Cisse scouting report by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
It is a dedication to one’s craft that has been on display throughout Packers training camp this summer. Valentine’s injury has opened the door for Cisse to receive more first-team reps with the defense and he is taken advantage of them. In just a few months, he went from being Green Bay’s fourth cornerback who might need to use 2026 as a development year to a potential full-time starter in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
That’s not to suggest that Cisse will be flawless in coverage this fall or even challenge for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2026. He makes mental lapses in coverage, as we saw in the preseason opener, and veteran quarterbacks will find ways to take advantage of his below-average instincts and inexperience early on.
What matters for the Packers coaching staff and general manager Brian Gutekunst is that their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is already exceeding initial expectations and bringing a work ethic that should make it far more plausible that he reaches his ceiling. If Cisse can clean up the shortcomings in his game, he could wind up being one of the best cornerbacks from his class and succeed Nixon as Green Bay’s No. 1 cornerback in 2027.