How Strong Is the 2026 NFL Draft at the Packers Biggest Areas of Need?

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and the Green Bay Packers have major areas of need to fill. But how do the team’s needs fit with the strengths, weaknesses, and depth of this year’s draft at those positions? We break down how strong the 2026 NFL Draft is at the Packers biggest areas of need. The fact that the Packers lack a first-round pick complicates their decisions as any player they want to add has to be a second or third round pick at the earliest for the Packers to have a chance to select them.

How Strong Is the 2026 NFL Draft at the Packers Biggest Areas of Need, Number Four: Edge Rusher

The Packers have to overcome two key issues at defensive end. The first remains the departure of starter Rashan Gary and third defensive Kingsley Enagbare. Micah Parsons being unavailable early in the season also causes issues for the Packers. If Parson misses the first three or four games, the team will need someone to start those games.

Lukas Van Ness takes over as one starter on the edge. He is entering his contract year unless GM Brian Gutekunst picks up his fifth-year option this offseason.

The rest of the depth is unproven in Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Brenton Cox, and Arron Mosby return to compete for a place in the rotation and for roster spots.

The Packers may look to the edge on day two. Scouts view this draft class as deep at edge rusher so the best players available in the second and third round could include players on the edge.

Number Three: Interior Offensive Line

The Packers interior offensive line has several questions among the starters and a dangerous lack of proven depth as we enter this part of the 2026 offseason.

Aaron Banks will be back as the starting left guard. He needs to stay healthy and bounce back from a frustrating 2025 campaign. The Packers re-signed Sean Rhyan who will be the favorite to start at center. The starting right guard will likely be 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton, who was originally drafted as a tackle but finished last season at right guard.

There is minimal experienced depth at the position right now. Jacob Monk returns as the only potential backup who has playing experience and isn’t expected to start elsewhere along the line and Monk hasn’t played much in the NFL.

There should be quality interior offensive linemen available through the top four rounds of the draft according to most scouts. Expect the Packers to address this position multiple times during the draft, possibly on day two and almost certainly on day three of the draft.

How Strong Is the 2026 NFL Draft at the Packers Biggest Areas of Need, Number Two: Nose Tackle

New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will be switching to a 3-4 base defense. Jeff Hafley played a 4-3 base. This changes the needs along the defensive line and requires a pure nose tackle for the base defense.

The Packers have plenty of penetrating pass rushing defense tackles in Devonte Wyatt the newly signed Javon Hargrave and Karl Brooks. As of now, neither Wyatt nor Brooks are under contract for 2027.

However, Nazir Stackhouse remains the only pure nose tackle currently on the roster and he has yet to prove he’s ready to start.

The nose tackle class lacks early round talent, but there should be plenty of run-stuffing nose tackles available in the later rounds of the draft. If you want a pass rusher from the interior, you need to draft early. For a run stuffer, the later rounds are fine.

Number One: Cornerback

The Packers parted ways with Nate Hobbs and signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste but cornerback remains a big need. The team lacks a number one cover corner with Keisean Nixon better suited to be the team’s second corner. Carrington Valentine will battle St-Juste for the starting job opposite Nixon along with any players the Packers add in the draft.

The need at cornerback increases next season as St-Juste is the only experienced corner under contract for 2027.

The cornerback class has speed but there may not be many players who fit the Packers requirements for size or athleticism on day two. The depth at corner is average this season. Look for the Packers to add one corner on day two and one on day three. A free agent addition could be another possibility.