Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst went into the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick, significantly complicating his ability to improve the roster after a 9-7-1 season. Despite having to wait to make his first selection until the 52nd overall pick, the early returns are looking positive for Green Bay.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his 2026 NFL midseason All-Rookie Team after Week 9. Cornerback Brandon Cisse, taken with Green Bay’s top selection, was named to the first team as the No. 1 corner ahead of the likes of Chris Johnson (27th overall pick), Colton Hood (37th overall pick), Treydan Stukes (38th overall pick) and Aveion Terrell (48th overall pick).
“Cisse, who leads all rookie corners in snaps played, had some rough moments over the first month of the season. But he has been stacking positive outings since the start of October. Over his last five games, Cisse has allowed zero touchdowns and just 50 percent completions when targeted, along with four passes defended and one interception.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Cisse
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Brandon Cisse stats (Pro Football Reference): 9 passes defended, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 55.8 percent completion rate and 85.8 passer rating allowed on 43 targets
Cisse, standing at 6-foot, was viewed as a long-term development project when he was picked with there being some belief that he had one of the higher ceilings among his peers at corner. The buzz around the 21-year-old rookie started early. He earned glowing praise from his position coach during the summer, and his play on the practice field in training camp helped him earn the starting job for the regular-season opener.
He struggled early on. According to Pro Football Focus, Cisse was responsible for allowing 166 receiving yards (55.3 ypg) and three touchdowns on 12 targets through his first three starts. From Weeks 4-9, the young corner is credited with allowing just 24.3 receiving yards per game.
Green Bay desperately needed a No. 1 cornerback to emerge this season, especially with veteran Keisean Nixon unlikely to be re-signed this offseason. Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon also needed one of the club’s young pass rushers to step up, which is exactly what has happened.
Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, selected with the 120th overall pick (Round 4), was named to Brugler’s Midseason All-Rookie second team. He finished just behind David Bailey (second overall pick) and Gabe Jacas (55th overall pick) while being chosen ahead of the likes of Rueben Bain Jr. (15th overall pick), Keldric Faulk (31st overall pick), T.J. Parker (35th overall pick) and R Mason Thomas (30th overall pick).
“Despite not being a starter, Dennis-Sutton has become a valuable role player on sub-downs. He ranks third among all rookies in pressures (23) and sacks (three), and he’s made an impact on kick- and punt-return coverage.”
Dane Brugler on Green Bay Packers edge rusher Dani Denis-Sutton
Dani Dennis-Sutton stats (Pro Football Reference): 10 pressures, 7 quarterback hits, 4 hurries, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended in 280 snaps
Sutton, standing at 6-foot-5, has been integral to a Green Bay pass rush that has greatly exceeded expectations this season without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons. Gannon has used the rookie situationally in 2026, deploying him on just 45 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Despite receiving less playing time than many of his peers, Sutton is tied for the third-most sacks among rookies) and his 10 pressures actually have him tied with players like Abdul Carter, Jaelan Phillips and Cameron Heyward while sitting just behind Khalil Mack (11 pressures) and Alex Highsmith (12).
Chris McClellan, the 6-foot-3 defensive tackle who Green Bay took with the 77th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, was named an honorable mention at his position along with Packers kicker Trey Smack. While it’s still very early, having four of the team’s six picks named to The Athletic’s Midseason All-Rookie Team is a promising sign for Gutekunst in what was a critical draft class for him and the franchise.