Grading the trade: Packers make aggressive move to add exactly what defense needs as clear identity continues to take shape

The Green Bay Packers moved up seven spots in the third round and gave up a fifth-rounder to select Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan.

Brian Gutekunst wasn’t willing to wait to see what would happen. The Green Bay Packers made their first trade of the NFL Draft, packaging picks No. 84 (third) and 160 (fifth) to move up to pick 77 (third) and select Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan.

The Packers badly needed a versatile interior defensive lineman who could rush the passer and stop the run at the same time, and McClellan offers that. He has some technique issues to clean up, but the talent is there to justify a selection in this area.

In terms of the trade, it was not an expensive deal. Usually, trade ups are risky. But in this case, the Packers have another fifth-rounder acquired in the Dontayvion Wicks’ deal (No. 153), and the value is just right to move up a few spots and address another position of need — in the second round, the Packers took cornerback Brandon Cisse.

Grade: B

Chris McClellan’s Key Facts and Stats Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

• 20 pressures in 2025
• 25 tackles in 2025
• 17 college career tackles for loss
• 6.0 sacks in 2025

Chris McClellan’s scouting report

This is what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote about McClellan:

“A two-year starter at Missouri, McClellan lined up as an interchangeable one-/three-technique (depending on the formation) in defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s scheme. He spent two seasons as a backup at Florida before becoming a steady force for the Tigers as a junior and senior. His production won’t blow anyone away, but his impact gradually increased each season.

“McClellan looks like an NFL player, with his big frame and bear-claw hands. He can be a tough guy for centers to defend when he times up the snap and uses his full extension or arm-over moves to create interior pressure. However, he can get stuck on blocks and needs to be more efficient with his hands to deconstruct and shed. Against the run, he can hold the point and respond well to double teams.”

Positional reasoning

Over the past two offseasons, the Packers lost Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, and Colby Wooden on the interior of the defensive line for different circumstances. Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks are in contract year, and potential extensions for them are tricky. Javon Hargrave signed a two-year deal, but he’s 33. So the team needed long-term answers, but also short-term depth — especially if it’s a player who can rush the passer and play the run at the same time, something this group lacks.

“I do think there’s probably a little bit more public appetite for a pure nose,” GM Brian Gutekunst said earlier this week, “because some of the snaps we’re going to play are going to have that, maybe we wouldn’t have had that with Jeff [Hafley].”