The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 offseason trying to improve from a playoff team to a bona fide Super Bowl contender. The team has talent on both sides of the football but needs more depth and to lower the mistakes they make in big games. But there are some needs the team needs to address to take that next step. Here are three positions the Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst will definitely address in the 2026 NFL Draft. They may not address these positions with their first pick (in the second round), but they will be priorities for the team this offseason.
Three Positions the Packers Will Address in the 2026 NFL Draft, Number Three: Interior Offensive Line
The Packers expect turnover along the offensive line. Because the team prefers versatile players who can play multiple positions and because they are expected to part ways with some starters here, the interior offensive line will likely be a bigger need than offensive tackle.
The Packers are expected to release Elgton Jenkins because of his high cap hit and struggles at center last season. Sean Rhyan took over at center after Jenkins suffered his season-ending injury, but he will be an unrestricted free agent next month unless the Packers choose to re-sign him.
Jordan Morgan will likely move to tackle after playing both tackle and guard. Anthony Belton ended the season at right guard but graded out poorly and was drafted as a tackle.
Aaron Banks had an injury plagued and disappointing first season in Green Bay but is expected to return at left guard.
Jacob Monk and Travis Glover head an inexperienced group of backups.
The Packers need depth here and may need a new starter or two depending on who returns and whether players get moved to other positions. It’s likely the team needs a new center and one new starter at guard in addition to fortifying the depth at all three positions.
Second Position: Defensive Tackle
The Packers interior defensive line struggled especially after Devonte Wyatt suffered his season-ending injury. They just couldn’t generate much pass rush without him and the run defense struggled as well.
Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden will be entering the final year of their rookie contracts so drafting replacements this year and giving them a year to learn on the job would make sense. Warren Brinson showed flashes in his rookie campaign but has yet to prove he’s ready for a larger role.
The Packers also lack an experienced and proven nose tackle to help plug up the middle of the line and occupy multiple blockers to help stop the run. Undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse will be back to prove he can get the job done but he spent most of his rookie year adjusting to playing in the NFL.
New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon still hasn’t indicated whether he intends to play a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. He may want to bring in players who fit whatever system he ultimately chooses to implement.
The Packers need an upgrade at this position. Whether they address it on day two or day three of the draft remains to be seen. They may also seek to add a moderately priced free agent here as well.
Three Positions the Packers Will Address in the 2026 NFL Draft, Number One: Cornerback
The Packers lack a bona fide number one cornerback. Keisean Nixon would be a decent CB2, but he was forced to play the role of top cover corner with mixed results. Carrington Valentine was also inconsistent and has a tackling problem. Neither of the top two would be considered ball hawks. Both Valentine and Nixon are also entering the final year of their existing contracts. Javon Bullard starts in the slot.
Nate Hobbs struggled with injuries and inconsistency after signing a big free agent contract last offseason. He may be a man without a job since he hasn’t proven he can play on the boundary and Bullard has done a good job in the slot. There have also been rumors the team may part ways with Hobbs but that’s unlikely.
The depth here remains uncertain as well. Bo Melton didn’t take a single snap on defense despite being officially moved to cornerback in training camp. He also ended the season on injured reserve as did Kamal Hadden.
The Packers need a CB1, they need to add players at the position in case they want to move on from Nixon and Valentine after this season. They also need depth here. This very well could be the position the Packers seek to address in round two of the draft and if not, they certainly need to add a player here by round three. Gutekunst has not drafted a cornerback before the seventh round since 2021.
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