Packers pundits offer their dream first-round scenarios and what it would take to make them reality

It's almost draft time. With so many possibilities on the table, now is the perfect moment to sit back and reflect what you really want for your team. Dream scenarios, ideal fits, and how they can end up with the Green Bay Packers.

With that in mind, we invited some of the top Packers content creators to share their ideal first-round targets for Green Bay—initially at pick 23, but not limiting potential trades.

Dusty Evely, film analyst at Acme Packing Co.

EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

In a draft that has a lot of depth but is short on true difference-makers, Stewart has the ability to be one of the best players in this draft, 4.5 career college sacks be damned. He has a rare combination of size, speed, and explosiveness that is hard to find. He also has shocking bend for his size, which is a skill the current Packers edge rushing group is sorely lacking.

There are some issues—balance around the arc, losing track of the ball— but I don't think either of those are deal-breakers. He's certainly not a slam dunk All-Pro, but he can wreak havoc from Day 1 and there is a decent path for him to become a premier pass-rusher and all-around player within a couple years.

I've seen him all over the board. It seems likely they would need to trade up to get him, but it's just a matter of where that is. If he gets past the Colts at 14, I'd absolutely be picking up the phone.

Ross Uglem, writer at Packer Report

CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Barron might be pigeon-holed into the slot by some, but he was one of the better outside cornerbacks in the NCAA in 2024. I think he upgrades the Packers at any defensive back position that isn't Xavier McKinney's and he'd also be the team's top backup at the free safety position if anything ever happened to X. Barron is really, really good. similar to Brian Branch and Cooper DeJean. Just get them on the team and figure it out.

Brian Maafi, Cheesehead TV Draft Guide contributor

DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Harmon would fill a couple holes on the defensive line. He can play anywhere from 1-tech to 5-tech. He can also stuff the run, get into the backfield, and get pressures and sacks. The Packers like having versatile players and he offers that. Oregon even lined him up as a defensive end a few times. Jeff Haley's 4-3 even front doesn't require a true nose tackle and is a one-gap penetrating style. This scheme is a great fit for Harmon. He could come in a rotation with Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt as a rookie giving the Packers consistent up-the-middle pressure. This would also allow them to move on from Clark after 2025 and start both Harmon and Wyatt in 2026. Harmon has a very high floor, but still does have some room for growth as a rusher.

Easton Butler, writer at Packer Report

CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Will Johnson was considered a lock for a Top=10 pick in the 2025 Draft before the season, in which he unfortunately suffered a turf toe injury and a shoulder contusion during the season, missing a total of seven games. But Will Johnson is a rare athlete, with amazing coverage and man ability and rarely misses tackles. The prototype cornerback. The Packers will likely need to trade up for him, which Brian Gutekunst has done three times in the first round. Also to note, Jaire's situation is still up in the air, with his contract running up in 2026.

Matt Hendershott, writer at Zone Coverage

WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

The Packers have arguably bigger needs with pass-rushers and cornerbacks, but Gutekunst seems higher on the guys he has than the draft community does. The Packers wide receiver group was inconsistent last season, and the team needs to fix that.

Enter Egbuka, a reliable wideout from a respected program with crisp route-running and notable attention to detail. He's a willing and eager blocker, a must in Matt LaFleur's offense. There is concern Egbuka, who primarily excelled in the slot, might be redundant with Jayden Reed. But Egbuka isn't exactly tiny at 6-1 and 202 pounds. He could be a primer slot receiver while still playing a meaningful role on the outside and provide Jordan Love with a much-needed reliable bucket-getter. The Packers brought in Egbuka for a pre-draft visit, showing clear interest in the former Buckeye.