The Green Bay Packers and 31 other NFL teams will descend upon Pittsburgh this week for the annual collegiate draft in hopes of making their team Super Bowl-worthy. All 32 teams have the opportunity to better their roster, but some have more glaring needs than others.

While the Packers reached the playoffs as a 7-seed last season, their roster is far from complete and needs immediate attention to take the next step in January. That hope will be more difficult to achieve during this year’s draft because Green Bay is without a first-round selection for the first time in 40 years.

Since Packer Backers do not need to tune in on Thursday to Day 1 of the draft hoopla, the real fun starts with pick #52 in the second round on Friday. If general manager Brian Gutekunst and the other Packer brass have done their homework, Green Bay’s fuzzy future will hopefully gain some focus.

Green Bay Packers’ Biggest Needs In the 2026 NFL Draft

Dec 14, 2025; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) walks off the field with help from medical personnel following an injury during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The consensus among draft gurus around the NFL is that the Packers must address their deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball. New defensive coordinator Jonathon Glennon’s cupboard is not bare, but obvious weaknesses in the secondary and defensive line would benefit from some young help.

Last season, Green Bay prioritized the defensive front, as evidenced by their blockbuster trade for All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons. When Parsons went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Packers’ shortcomings in the back end of the defense were exposed.

The defense lost Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, among others, in 2025, and the only significant addition to the room was free agent Nate Hobbs. In the off-season, Hobbs was released, leaving a paltry collection of cornerbacks to man the position.

Keisean Nixon is still in the fold, but his performance in big games last season left fans screaming at their televisions. In two of Green Bay’s most important contests late in the year, Nixon allowed an amazingly high number of receptions. In those two December games against the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears, here are the opposing quarterbacks’ passer ratings when Nixon was targeted:

  • QB rating 158.3 vs. Denver, December 14
  • QB rating 135.4 vs. Chicago, December 20
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) catches the game-winning touchdown pass while being covered by Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) during overtime of their game Saturday, December 20, 2025. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Carrington Valentine, who has been inconsistent at best, and Bo Melton, who switched to cornerback from receiver, are the two defensive backs with the most experience. The Packers cannot go into the 2026 season with that group as is if they expect different results.

Another spot Green Bay needs to address this week is the entire defensive line. Parsons will not be ready to start the season as he continues to rehab his injured knee. Rashan Gary is now a Dallas Cowboy, Kingsley Enagbare landed as a New York Jet, and Lukas Van Ness has not proven himself to be a worthy replacement.

The Packers did fill one of the interior line spots in free agency. Javon Hargrave was lured away from the Minnesota Vikings in March. Hargrave’s addition came days after the Packers traded starting defensive tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts to acquire former All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin.

This move signaled a major change on Green Bay’s defensive front in 2026. Hargrave will eventually team up with Devonte Wyatt in the middle of the defensive line. That assembly may be delayed; Wyatt suffered a significant injury on Thanksgiving Day, and his return to 100% is up in the air.

With no first-round selection in their possession, Green Bay will be hard-pressed to find an immediate plug-and-play rookie to step in and be a major contributor. Despite waiting until Friday night to make their initial selection, there are plenty of candidates who will welcome an invite to be a Packer.

Top Defensive Targets For The Green Bay Packers In The 2026 NFL Draft

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) shakes off Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When the person at the microphone says, “With the 52nd pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select…,” here is who Packer Backers should be happy when hearing their names:

  • Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana: As a member of the national champion Hoosiers, Ponds earned second-team All-American honors in 2025 after transferring from James Madison. A projected second-round selection, Ponds earned Defensive MVP in both the Peach Bowl and the Rose Bowl during Indiana’s post-season run. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein offered this breakdown of Ponds: “Ponds is a productive perimeter cornerback trapped in a smaller body (5’8 5/8″), but he’s not lacking in confidence or coverage tenacity. He’s tremendously competitive and winning seems to follow him at each stop.”
  • Cornerback Will Lee III, Texas A&M: Lee III is a 23-year-old from St. Louis, MO, who officially stands 6’1 1/2″ tall and weighs 189 pounds. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at this year’s combine, and most draft junkies predict him landing no later than the fourth round. In 2025, he started all 13 games and led the Aggies with 8 PBUs. Lee III also contributed 50 tackles, 2 TFLs, and one sack. Zierlein gave this scouting overview of Lee III: “Boundary cornerback with good length and catch-disruption but inconsistent instincts in coverage. Lee is better in man coverage than he is in zone, but he can handle both.”
  • Edge rusher T.J. Parker, Clemson: According to Zierlein, Parker is a “powerful edge defender with NFL length whose 2025 tape might be closer to his pro projection than his gaudy 2024 numbers. Parker’s hand work is above average in both phases. He strikes early to set very firm edges, then sheds quickly to finish tackles.” In 2024, Parker registered 11.5 sacks and forced a school-record six fumbles while earning second-team All-ACC honors.

End Of My Packers Rant: Green Bay Needs Defensive Depth

Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker (3) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2024 ACC Championship game. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Packers knowingly hamstrung themselves for this year’s draft when they gambled on the future production of Parsons. All indications are he will be a top-tier edge rusher for the rest of his career, but the full recovery following a serious injury is never guaranteed.

With the 52nd overall pick, as well as their ensuing selections, Green Bay must address the needs of covering the pass and getting after the quarterback. Gutekunst has a strong record of finding obscure talent, and Packer fans hope that trend continues this week.