Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Green Bay Packers 2026 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers made four picks on the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft. That gives the team six new draft picks to compete for jobs in training camp this summer. GM Brian Gutekunst surprised some people with some of the positions he addressed and some that he did not. Here are ten things we learned from day three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft:

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft, Number One: The Packers Added an Edge Rusher in Round Four

The Packers continued their run on defensive players in the fourth round when they added edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton of Penn State with the 120^th overall pick.

Dennis-Sutton was largely considered a third-round pick, so the Packers got good value here. He has really good athleticism and that gives him a high floor. In college, Dennis-Sutton improved each year at Penn State.

He plays the run well and has a variety of pass rush moves. He also has the speed to drop into coverage when asked to. His lack of explosiveness limits his upside, and he does need to cut down on missed tackles.

Dennis-Sutton’s versatility and willingness to learn make him a valuable depth piece at edge for the -Packers. He also blocked three punts as a senior and could give the Packers some badly needed help on special teams.

Number Two: The Packers Addressed the Interior Offensive Line in Round 5

In the fifth round, the Packers finally addressed the offensive side of the ball for the first time when they selected center Jager Burton out of Kentucky. Burton stands 6’4” and weighs 312 pounds. He has the versatility the Packers look for as he played center and guard in college.

Burton has a thick lower body and earned the nickname “Moose” as a result of his thick frame. He did not allow a sack in 2025. He positions himself well in pass protection and has the mobility to block for the run.

What Burton lacks is elite strength to overpower defenders at the point of attack. He had one quality season in college and will have to prove he can continue that progress against NFL opponents.

Burton should be a good fit in the Packers zone blocking system and he will have time to learn behind Sean Rhyan while giving the Packers depth and flexibility along the interior offensive line.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft, Number Three: The Packers Made One Day Three Trade

The only trade the Packers made early in the draft came on day two when they moved up in the third round to select defensive tackle Chris McClellan. The Packers gave up a fifth-round pick to move up seven spots to grab McClellan, one of the few defensive tackles who can not only stop the run but can put pressure on the passer.

In the sixth round, the Packers traded up with the Seahawks to make the final selection in the round, 216^th overall, and added kicker Trey Smack of Florida. The Packers gave up both of their seventh-round picks to move up to get Smack.

Gutekunst did not want to trade any picks in the 2027 draft, which is considered a deeper talent pool. The Packers don’t have a first-round pick next year, but they have a lot of late round picks and should receive as many as four compensatory picks due to how free agency played out this offseason.

Number Four: The Packers Doubled Down at Cornerback

In the sixth round, the Packers selected cornerback Domani Jackson out of Alabama. The 6’1”, 196-pound corner has sprinter’s speed and all the athleticism you could want at the position. He plays his best in press man coverage and does a good job in run support.

The reason Jackson fell to the sixth round of the draft is because he lacks ball awareness. While he can keep up with receivers, he struggles to get to the football. In four seasons in college, he intercepted a total of two passes, and he broke up just one pass in his senior season.

Jackson returned from a knee injury that hampered him earlier in his college career. The tools are there for him, but he needs to be more consistent with his technique to succeed in the NFL.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft, Number Five: The Packers Drafted a Kicker

The Packers traded up to grab the final choice in the sixth round of the draft and added kicker Trey Smack out of Florida. Most scouts considered Smack the top kicker available in the draft.

Smack has good range and long-range accuracy. He made 10-of-13 kicks of 50 yards or more. Incumbent Brandon McManus struggled last season beyond 40 yards.

Smack also excels on kickoffs. In college, opponents returned just 19.7 percent of Smack’s 239 career kickoffs.

Number Six: The Packers Didn’t Do Enough Along the Offensive Line

The Packers only used one pick in this draft on the offensive line and that came in round five. The team sill lacks depth along the line with Darian Kinnard being the only experienced backup at tackle. The most experienced backup along the interior of the line is Jacob Monk and Monk doesn’t have much experience.

The Packers could be in trouble if injuries strike the offensive line like they did a year ago. We’ll see how many undrafted free agents Gutekunst adds along the offensive line or if there are any post June 1^st additions.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft, Number Seven: Gutekunst Emphasized Defense

Four of the Packers six picks were on defense. The team drafted one offensive lineman and one kicker. The Packers emphasized the defensive side of the ball in this draft, which makes sense when you consider they have a new defensive coordinator in Jonathan Gannon. Gannon will be switching to a 3-4 base which means the Packers will need different skill sets on defense.

For the record, the Packers took two cornerbacks, a defensive tackle, and one edge rusher.

Number Eight: The Packers Did Not Address the Offensive Skill Positions

There was talk that the Packers could add a wide receiver, a running back or a tight end in the draft. When the Packers signed Jayden Reed to an extension Friday afternoon, the need for a wide receiver was reduced.

The Packers will have an opportunity to add tight ends and running backs in the 2027 draft. One reason they wanted to address these positions entering the draft is that key contributors like Josh Jacobs, Tucker Kraft, and Luke Musgrave are not certain to be back in 2027.

Ten Things We Learned from Day Three of the Packers 2026 NFL Draft, Number Nine: The Packers Did Not Select a Quarterback

For the second consecutive season, the Packers did not select a developmental quarterback in the draft. That means Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord will battle with the one undrafted free agent added after the draft.

Number 10: The Packers Also Signed Nine Undrafted Free Agents

The Packers also added nine undrafted free agents after the seventh round concluded. While these players are considered long shots to make the final 53-man roster, at least one undrafted free agent has made the roster each year for the Packers.

The undrafted free agents signed include:

QB Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech

OL Josh Gesky, Illinois

LB TJ Quinn, Louisville

S Murvin Kenion, Nevada

RB Jaden Nixon, UCF

OL Dylan Barrett, Iowa

Edge Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida

TE R.J. Maryland, SMU

WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida