Handing Out Awards for the Packers 2026 Draft

The Packers 2026 Draft is in the books. A strange draft for Packers fans as it was the first time in almost a decade that the team did not have their first round pick. Additionally, it was the fewest amount of picks made by GM Brian Gutekunst since taking over the position.

That doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to talk about regarding this class though. The team made six picks and you could argue that all six of those players has a legitimate shot at earning starting roles this offseason.

While it’s far too early to make any real assessments of how these players tenure with the Packers will go, it’s not too early to make assessments of them in the context of the draft and where they were taken.

The Biggest Value

Dani Dennis-Sutton – Penn State The Packers came into the draft with some very defined needs. They addressed the biggest two with their first two picks, but being able to get Dennis-Sutton in the 4th round was easily the steal of the draft.

Sutton led the Big Ten in pressures last year while racking up 8.5 sacks. He’s an excellent athlete and while his run defense isn’t exceptional, he’s at least not going to get blown off the line.

What makes him such a good pick ultimately though is how much he seems to love football. Even when Penn St’s season went completely sideways he never quit, he played every single game including the bowl game.

Micah Parsons last season was very verbal about how important it was to have real drive and motivation. It’s a big part of why a certain player is no longer with the team. That doesn’t seem like it will be an issue with DDS.

The Packers Biggest Reach

Chris McClellan – Missouri Let me start by saying that just because this pick is considered a “reach” does not mean I think McClellan will be a bad player for the Packers.

Most mocks had McClellan as a player that would land in the early 100-120 range, and Green Bay traded up to 77 to take him. There is going to be a lot of comparison between McClellan and a player like Domonique Orange, a player taken just five picks later and by a divisional opponent.

It’s not difficult to see why the Packers may have favored McClellan though. While he isn’t the same kind of run stuffer that Orange is, he offers more in the pass rush department. That kind of versatility is something the Packers look for on both sides of the lines.

I fully expect McClellan to see significant playing time along a defensive line that has lost multiple players from last year, but because of where he was taken, expectations may be higher than what’s fair.

The Most Likely to Be a 10 Year Starter

Jager Burton – Kentucky The Packers are one of the best teams in the league at identifying mid to late round offensive lineman that end up being long term starters. Rasheed Walker in the 7th, Zach Tom and David Bahktiari in the 4th are just a few examples.

Burton was the first and only offensive player taken by the Packers this year, but may also have the easiest path to starting minutes early in the season. While the Packers did resign Sean Rhyan to be their center, Burton has enough upside that I could see him pushing Rhyan for that position. If not there, the RG spot, currently held by Anthony Belton is another place where Burton could supplant someone.

While he’s not a true steamroller in the run game, he’s quick enough to make it to the second level and strong enough to hold the point of attack. The Packers offensive line underperformed last year, and outside of right tackle I don’t think any position is truly locked down.

When the Packers hit on guys in these middle rounds they tend to stick around for a long time, and Burton has a real shot at being that next guy.

The Packers Biggest Surprise Pick

Trey Smack – Florida This was the easily the biggest surprise of the draft for me. While I certainly believed Green Bay needed to bring in competition for Brandon McManus after how last season went, I didn’t think it would come in the form of a draft pick, especially a pick that was traded up to.

If you are going to make that move though, at least make it for the best kicker in the draft. By all accounts that’s what Green Bay did. I didn’t see a single predraft ranking that had Smack as anything else but the #1 kicker.

Also, and maybe most importantly, Smack is an incredible name for a kicker. I can’t foresee a world where A. he isn’t very good, and B. doesn’t have an announcer yell something to the effect of “AND TREY SMACKS A 56 YARDER WITH NO TIME LEFT TO STEAL THE WIN FOR GREEN BAY”. It’s going to happen. Book it.