The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away and the Green Bay Packers have eight picks, overall. This year the Pack won’t step up to the podium until the 52nd overall selection which comes in round two. GM Brian Gutekunst needs to do a good job at the draft if the Packers are going to go from the seventh seed in the playoffs to a true Super Bowl contender. The Packers have positions they need to address in this draft and other positions where they will want to add depth. Here are five bold predictions for the Green Bay Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Five Bold Predictions for the Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Number Five: The Packers Take a QB on Day Three
The Packers like to take a flier on quarterbacks on day three of the draft, a tradition that started under Ron Wolf back in the 90s. The results yielded developmental quarterbacks that backed up Brett Favre and were often traded for future draft picks.
Among the players the Packers picked included Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, Ty Detmer, and Mark Brunell.
The need for a backup quarterback is higher this year after the departure of Malik Willis. Right now, Desmond Ridder remains the only potential backup on the roster behind Jordan Love on the roster.
Look for Gutekunst to add a quarterback in the final three rounds of the draft. Don’t be surprised if the team stashes this developmental quarterback on the practice squad this season and has him compete to be the backup in 2027.
Number Four: The Packers Make at Least One Trade to Add Picks
This year’s draft presents Gutekunst with some difficult decisions. The Packers are in win now mode as they hope to win a Super Bowl. However, they lack a first round pick which is the spot team’s are most likely to add impact players.
This year’s draft lacks elite talent overall but has a large number of players ranked roughly 40th to 120th who teams rank as being very close together talent wise. There will not be a great consensus among teams as to which players are second round picks, and which should go in rounds three or four.
Gutekunst has also had success on day three of the draft, adding starters like Zach Tom, Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker, and Isaiah McDuffie.
Look for Gutekunst to make at least one trade back to add some additional picks on days two and three of this year’s draft. The logic is the more picks the team has, the better odds they can hit big on at least a few of them.
Five Bold Predictions for the Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Number Three: The Packers Draft Multiple Cornerbacks
Cornerback remains one of the Packers biggest needs entering the draft. Not only does the team lack a legitimate top cover corner, but they also have only one cornerback under contract for 2027 and that’s newly signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste. Both Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are entering the final year of their current contracts.
The Packers need both short-term and long-term help at the cornerback position and must upgrade the overall talent and depth here. Gutekunst also likes to double down at positions of need in the draft.
Look for the Packers to select at least two cornerbacks at this year’s draft with one coming on day two and at least one more on day three of the draft.
Number Two: The Packers Select Another Wide Receiver
Gutekunst selected two wide receivers last year with Matthew Golden going in round one and Savion Williams in round three.
Still, the Packers will add at least one more receiver this year, possibly as early as day two of the draft. The team has parted ways with both Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason. Plus, both Jayden Reed and Christian Watson are currently entering the final year of their current contracts.
The Packers will be adding to this position again in 2026 and may also add a tight end on day three as well.
Five Bold Predictions for the Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Number One: The Packers Will Select Multiple Offensive Linemen
The Packers lack depth along the offensive line, especially along the interior. Aaron Banks struggled with injuries and had a disappointing first season with the Packers as a result. Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton return as the presumptive starters at center and right guard, but neither played at anything approaching a Pro Bowl level last season.
The Packers will look to add a potential starter and some depth along the offensive line in this draft. Keep in mind, the Packers love versatile linemen who can play multiple positions and prefer to draft tackles who they can convert to guard.
The Packers will double up along the offensive line in this year’s draft.
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