Is Cornerback or Defensive Tackle A Bigger Need?
As the offseason progresses, some of the most important decisions in the league are made. It’s also a time where evaluations on the state of the roster are at their sharpest.
By Kalani Jones
As the offseason progresses, some of the most important decisions in the league are made. It’s also a time where evaluations on the state of the roster are at their sharpest.
These few weeks allow the best combination: fresh memory of the season that just concluded, and the objective finality of the offseason.
Of course, it’s no one's preference that the Packers aren’t actually playing right now. But they aren’t, and we can only watch as the Seahawks and Rams fight for the George Halas Trophy, a ticket to Santa Clara, and the ultimate prize. It’s not hard to remember the moments when that trip to the Super Bowl felt so tantalizingly close.
That dream crumbled, and it’s time to start sifting through the rubble.
As we start to put together a “to-do” list for the Packers this offseason, it’s important to remember that player acquisition will be limited in 2026. There are easy levers that the Packers can pull to get themselves below the salary cap. Beyond that? It’s hard to say exactly how far the front office will want to go this year. 2027 will be a big “borrow from the future” offseason, with the potential to add some outside talent. But for now, Green Bay is probably best focused on retaining their own talent, with players such as Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed eligible for extensions. Not to mention, there are huge questions to answer about the future of less popular candidates, such as Quay Walker, Sean Rhyan, and a fifth year option for Lukas Van Ness.
All that to say, the Packers might need to heavily prioritize where that focus lies this offseason. So, on what positional group should that focus lie?
Ask anyone (including me), and they’ll probably tell you that the Packers’ biggest roster deficiencies lie at cornerback and defensive tackle. In this article, I’ll attempt to determine which position is the bigger “need” for the Packers this offseason.
How we got here
Cornerback
It wasn’t too long ago that the Packers were seemingly well positioned at cornerback, for the first time in a long time. The days of Jaire Alexander and his running mates are gone. Of course, replacing an All-Pro like Alexander is difficult, but I’d also argue that Rasul Douglas, traded in 2023, left a hole that has never quite been papered over.
According to the team’s draft and development philosophy, the next man up for the team should have been Eric Stokes, who the team used a first round draft pick on in 2021. After a solid rookie year, Stokes struggled with injuries and coverage skills until he was allowed to walk in free agency a year ago. He landed in Las Vegas and had a…very good year. Which isn’t frustrating at all. Nope.
There’s no guarantee that Stokes would also have had the same year in Green Bay. But it is frustrating that Green Bay seemingly got the short end of the stick with that divorce. Or, is trade a better word? The Packers also signed a former Raider cornerback, Nate Hobbs. A career slot corner, the Packers hoped to turn him into a boundary corner, which due to injuries and inconsistency, never came together in a positive way.
Green Bay also had high hopes for Carrington Valentine, the 2023 seventh round draft pick. To be fair to Valentine, he’s had the kind of career that is extremely atypical of a seventh round pick. He’s started and played well for the Packers over stretches of the time since, but the operative word here is definitely stretches. His physical struggles became most obvious in that Baltimore game, and I think the writing is on the wall now.
Keisean Nixon was the team’s starting CB1 in 2025, for better or worse. Also a former Raider, Nixon deserves tons of credit for reinventing his career over and over. He arrived as a role player on special teams, became a two time All Pro kick returner, a starting slot corner, and then a starting boundary corner. It’s been an impressive run, but we must again point to inconsistent stretches of play that have cost the Packers big.
Green Bay does have a bright young player in Javon Bullard, the former safety turned slot corner who improved mightily in his new role this season. I don’t think there’s any reason to want to move Bullard around further, so it stands to reason that the slot role is pretty set. Other than his selection in 2024, the Packers have not invested in cornerback early in the draft since Stokes’ selection.
Defensive Tackle
Unlike cornerback, the current version of the defensive tackle room is largely shaped by recent draft picks.
The Packers selected Colby Wooden in the fourth round and Karl Brooks in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. Both entered the league as 3-tech prospects, under 300 lbs, and as projects to develop. Brooks did show some impressive flashes as a rookie that year, but has largely unimpressed since then. It was somewhat the opposite for Colby Wooden, who struggled to crack the lineup until this season, when he added some significant weight to his frame to help in a nose tackle-like capacity. I was really impressed with him this season, but the long term projections are probably still short of a real starting defensive tackle in this league.
The 2026 defensive tackles are also notably missing some of their biggest contributors from seasons past. First, TJ Slaton was allowed to test free agency, joining the Bengals. Did he set the world on fire every Sunday? No. But he was a nose tackles’ nose tackle. At 6’5” 330 lbs, he usually had one job on every play: occupy space. And boy, could he.
Then there was the trade of Kenny Clark right before the season began. You make that trade one hundred times out of a hundred, but we all saw the hole that it left on the defensive line. It’s true that Clark definitely hadn’t been the same in 2024 as in years past, but his veteran leadership and constant presence left a definite hole along the front.
Again, there is a young bright spot in Devonte Wyatt. A 2022 first round pick, Wyatt was finally showing off the upside that had made him a star at Georgia, tragically cut short by an injury in the Thanksgiving game against Detroit.
Lastly, the pair of new Georgia Bulldogs, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, who had ups and downs in their first NFL season. I thought both showed enough to pique the teams’ continued interest, but neither are probably the Packers anchors that they are looking for.
Contract Details.
A big percentage of evaluating “need” is understanding where the position stands, from the simple perspective of “How many guys do we have under contract there? And for how many years?”
For a team within a Super Bowl window like the Packers, having a constant influx of players on those cheap rookie deals is key.
Cornerback
Believe it or not, there are only four cornerbacks currently under contract for the Green Bay Packers. They are: Nate Hobbs through the 2028 season, and Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Shemar Bartholomew, who are all up for free agency after 2026. Kamal Hadden and Bo Melton are an ERFA and RFA respectively, and will need to be extended in some form to be on the roster in 2026. Trevon Diggs was released from the roster yesterday, but the team may have the inside track to sign him for the 2026 season, considering his personal connection with Micah Parsons. So, that might be one more player on the roster, depending on whatever contract would be agreed upon.
Even if they do, only having one player being solidly tied to the team after next season is risky business. That’s also two of those rookie contracts expiring as well. For the long term health of the roster, the Packers need to add bodies to the roster.
Defensive Tackle
On the other hand, the interior defensive line group currently has nine members. They are Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Jordan Riley, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, James Ester, Anthony Campbell, and Dante Barnett. So, they are probably in a bit of a better spot than the cornerbacks, right?
Wrong.
There are only two of those nine who are under contract after the 2026 season. Those are the rookies Brinson and Stackhouse, and as a UDFA Stackhouse is only under team control until 2027. Devonte Wyatt is a near lock to be re-signed, but that's going to be an expensive venture. As I mentioned with the cornerbacks, almost all of the contracts that are expiring are of the cheap rookie wage scale variety.
Performance
Cornerbacks
As a group, the cornerbacks struggled. The primary players all allowed completion rates above 60%, and yards per reception over 10. They managed to only snag two interceptions all year, and 21 PBUs.
Like the rest of the defense, they struggled mightily after Micah Parsons went down in Denver, culminating in an awful playoff performance against Chicago. Keisean Nixon, after a very solid showing in week 2 against the Commanders, really struggled to get back to the same level of impact. Carrington Valentine started to see starter level snaps after the Pittsburgh game, and had a stretch in the middle of the season where he was one of PFF’s highest graded cover corners in the league. Nate Hobbs never really got going after his preseason injury, mostly disappointing in his appearances before putting some solid late season work out there.
Defensive Tackle
There’s really no way to sugarcoat that this was a very rough year from the defensive tackles.
Not a single player was graded above a 53 by PFF. The team struggled to stop the run consistently, which led to opponents adopting a near universal strategy of bleeding the Packers dry via the run game. We saw this most notably against the Ravens, but also by the Panthers, Browns, and Eagles.
Nor were they especially effective in pass rushing, especially after Wyatt’s injury. I do think we saw some unexpected flashes from rookie Warren Brinson, but again, not enough to anchor a defense.
And if I wanted to sound like a broken record, I’d point out that the group struggled once Parsons was gone. But I don’t mind repetition as a means to convey a point. So, consider it pointed out.
Conclusion
There is a lot of nuance to be found here in this discussion. I haven’t even mentioned the potential preferences of whoever the team will hire as the new defensive coordinator. Whether the new coach has a background on the defensive line or secondary could play a part in these discussions.
The team does not have enough money to go out and spend on a high impact free agent, but it has already spent some money to retain at least one defender we’ve discussed today: Devonte Wyatt. His fifth year option was exercised by the team last summer, meaning he’s got a pay raise of $12.9 million dollars in 2026.
You could argue that the team could choose to focus on cornerback, even with Nate Hobbs’ contract paid out last spring.
The cornerbacks also have a trio of really, really good safeties helping them out. As I mentioned, Javon Bullard is pretty much a full time cornerback at this point, and having Xavier McKinney and Evan WIlliams behind you makes your job a lot easier in coverage. The defensive tackles don’t really have that. Yes, they have a Micah Parsons in the vicinity, and some good linebacker play, but it’s not as translatable down in the trenches. It’s a lot more man on man down there.
That, plus the demonstrated strategy of running down the Packers that was employed over and over, tells me that holes in the defensive tackle room should be plugged up with more urgency. It’s really in the eye of the beholder though, and I’d love to hear your opinion as well.
No matter what, newly extended GM Brian Gutekunst has his hands full to hold back the tide of expiring contracts all across the roster. It’s the price you pay by being the youngest roster in the league. At some point, those players have to get paid or replaced. It’s time for both, in Green Bay.
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Co-Owner of the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers. Sometimes I write about them. Follow me on Twitter at https://x.com/kjones_in_co and on Substack for film breakdowns!
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Comments (49)
TKWorldWide
January 21, 2026 at 10:26 am
Chicken or the egg, baby!!
dblbogey
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 pm
I'd say offensive line is our biggest problem. We've got Zach Tom. I guess we hope Belton takes a jump, hope Morgan can be our LT, hope we can get a center, hope Banks doesn't continue to be a terrible move by Gute. Maybe, since a placekicker decides the outcome of many games, we should get a competent placekicker. Oh, and I notice other teams return punts for positive yardage while we all just hope our returner doesn't fumble the kick or fair catch with nobody within 15 yards.
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 01:40 pm
Belton had very little experience at G before he was asked to do it. I'm hoping that a full off-season in an NFL program and a full camp will turn him into a beast.
Coldworld
January 21, 2026 at 01:55 pm
Right, our coaches insisted that he was a RT and Morgan was a better G prospect until well into the season. Again, wrong positions and throwing guys in ill prepared as a result. The team that brought us the Newman/Hanson experience, among others, continues in place.
T7Steve
January 22, 2026 at 06:35 am
I was thinking "The cart before the horse" when I saw the title corner or D-line.
Have to have both but if a team can control you at the line of scrimmage you only need corners that can come down to tackle after the runner gets through. The other team won't be interested in passing except put of boredom.
murf7777
January 21, 2026 at 10:44 am
Both are important, but if I had to choose, I’d go with DT. The best defenses have dominant defensive lines, and the ability to stop the run while getting push from the inside is absolutely crucial.
Savage57
January 22, 2026 at 07:22 am
The correct answer is 'yes'.
Cheezehead72
January 21, 2026 at 11:07 am
The Packers are in no position to prioritize one over the other because they still have OL issues too. The Packers will have to sign whoever they can that will help the team as cheaply as possible. The one thing to keep in mind about the corners is are they man or zone. When Hafley got here we went from man coverage to zone. It seemed to me that the DBs never seemed to have good communication. In zone coverage these dudes have to talk to each other and they have to be on the same page. Depending on who the new DC is and which coverage he will run will tell which unit needs more attention.
I believe our DBs are better suited for man so less will have to happen if the DC runs man coverage. If it is zone I see this unit needing a major overhaul.
splitpea1
January 21, 2026 at 11:09 am
It doesn't matter, we need both; and they need to be more of a priority than another seventh-round draft pick or UDFA--like maybe second and third round.
I would also say that OL is also a pretty big need if we want to give Jacobs more opportunities to get to the second level. We could use either some of Ted's fourth round magic and/or striking gold with one of our extra two seventh round picks--like we did a long time ago with Tauscher.
stockholder
January 21, 2026 at 11:26 am
WHAT I'M SEEING IS DL, CB, OT.
But I want the fastest DT.
The best CB regardless size.
And a OT if not two.
Why two? Injuries.
And who replaces Willis? -
stockholder
January 21, 2026 at 11:50 am
Trinidad Chambliss. QB Ole mis
is going to go before rd 3.
And if he's there at #52.
I'd take him.
Call it a TT move.
Packman60
January 21, 2026 at 02:08 pm
I agree with your prioritization, however I think size would be the most important factor over speed at DT, as the Packers need help with their run defense., hopefully they would be able to collapse the pocket in the passing game as well. The Packers are set at slot with Bullard and Hobbs, if still here to back up. They need boundary corners, which generally entails more size. 5'9" corners won't work out there.
stockholder
January 21, 2026 at 03:40 pm
If DT is taken at 52 speed.
That way they could move him anywhere.
If the DT pick is 3-5 you are correct. Big!
jannesbjornson
January 21, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Make up your mind, speed, or a powerful plugger. Wyatt and Karl are three techs with the quickness to shoot gaps. I will push Lee Hunter for a target as a Kenny Clark guy with power and mass@ #52. He was 2nd team All-American for the solid T-Tech defense. David Bailey as a 1st team ALL-American edge rusher is a dog. Jacob Rodriguez is a move LB who will go high. OT can be had in Rd Four. In some measure of sanity, it may be best to delimit some draft speculation given the person in charge. Another CB from free agency to push Valentine to the dime spot.
stockholder
January 21, 2026 at 08:02 pm
JB Both. Rodriguez is slow. Rd 3.
Trade Valentine to Hafley.
jannesbjornson
January 22, 2026 at 04:22 am
Read & React. He is not a track guy at 4.65, but he controls the middle and Tackles people in the gap, not behind it. He has coverage skills because he knows where to be on the field. Tough dude like Logan Wilson. If he is there Rd Three, I would snag him. The Valentine trade would be a go if Sullivan fell for it.
Packers0808
January 21, 2026 at 11:44 am
Either one is like washing your soap before you use it!
Guam
January 21, 2026 at 11:58 am
The Packers need a big run stuffing DT and they are usually available in later rounds (Slaton was a fifth rounder) because they are not every down players. They have plenty of 3 technique DTs already. I also don't believe the Packers need more than one run stuffer from the draft as Stackhouse and Riley can become capable backups there.
I would prefer to see the Packers emphasize CB and OL on day two (second and third round picks) of the draft.
Leatherhead
January 21, 2026 at 12:02 pm
We'll rebuild the CB room after this next season, when everybody's contract expires, just like we rebuilt the safety room two years ago. That's how Gutekunst does this...remember when he rebuilt the WR room? For 2026, we'll have the 4 guys we have under contract, and we might add one via FA or a Day 3 pick.
The DT picture includes some rookies like Stackhouse and Brinson that we expect to improve. We have Wyatt, who is a solid DT when healthy. We have Wooden and Brooks, both in the last year of their rookie contract. We have Riley. I'm not expecting DT to be a priority for us this offseason, not because we couldn't use one, but because we have higher priorities.
THE PRIORITY, IMO, is going to be the offensive line, where we are losing two starters to FA and a third one, Jenkins, should be released to save $20M. I think we'll be looking to draft a starter AND sign a solid vet in FA.
A better line is good for Jacobs. A better line is good for Love. What's good for Jacobs and Love is good for the offense.
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 12:19 pm
I think they'll convert some of Jacobs' cash to signing bonus to generate about $6M in cap room for this season. That might pay Wilson's RFA and buy a backup OL (maybe pay Kinnard's RFA).
Leatherhead
January 21, 2026 at 01:02 pm
OK, I need a smart guy to check my math here. Since TGR isn't available, I'll go ahead and ask you.
According to Spotrac., we're pretty close on the cap space, and we'll obviously have to make some moves
We're still carrying $17M in dead money from Kenny Clark.
Releasing Gary would save $28M in cap space but cost another $17M in dead money.
Release Jenkins would save about $28M and cost $4M in dead money.
Hobbs would save $13M but cost $12M. Nixon would save $7M, but cost $2M.
Nobody else really moves the dial very much. It seems to me that the only cut that makes sense is Jenkins. Gary saves us $11M, but that's $17M in dead cap.
Where/how can we create more space?
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 01:46 pm
They can take contracts with higher unguaranteed cash values and turn that into bonus money. That prorates it out over the lifetime of the contract...essentially refinancing debt and pushing the hit as guarantees out onto future caps. I think Jacobs gets about $11M in cash in '26. They can refinance down to the vet minimum (about $1.1M) and take the remaining $10M and split it over the '26 and '27 caps. They can do the same thing by guaranteeing roster bonuses.
It's not the best or most helpful, long-term, but it creates space now. There are a couple players who are candidates.
Leatherhead
January 21, 2026 at 02:09 pm
So if we don't mortgage the future, about the only cash that can be freed up would be about $20M on Jenkins, and another $11M on Gary. A few more smaller amounts would push us to around $35M. Am I close to be on target?
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 07:07 pm
Something like.
Cheezehead72
January 21, 2026 at 02:14 pm
There was a good article on JSOnline last week about the salary cap.
lou
January 22, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Great post, prioritize the OL to protect our biggest investments, that was the difference in the Chicago Bears this season, that was their goal and look where it took them. Somehow the Bears always have a defense to count on that not only takes the ball away but scores.
Next is the DL where if it improves and Parsons returns to form our current starting corners can be productive which they showed in the first half of the season. We need a stud like Kenny Clark as the anchor, great pick by Ted Thompson (10 year starter multi Pro Bowls) and for the remaining players to improve. Wyatt;s pass rush ability is a big advantage and he needs to improve vs the run.
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 12:38 pm
As an aside: JSOnline tracker of Packers DC candidates and interviews...
jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2026/01/20/matt-lafleur-starts-search-for-packers-defensive-coordinator-position/88262878007/
I really like the three interviewees listed. Frankly, I'd go Jones of those three. Silverstein says that he can't imagine LaF not talking to Leonhard.
IN EDIT: Whoops, that's behind a paywall. Sorry folks.
PackEyedOptimist
January 21, 2026 at 12:38 pm
My early take on this:
This draft has better CBs in the second round and has decent
DTS in the fourth round.
I’d target—for now— a CB as our 2nd, an OL as our 3rd and a DT as our 4th.
If Connor Lew is available for our 2nd, I’d snap him up as our next long-career center!
dobber
January 21, 2026 at 12:52 pm
There are usually playable IOL and CBs, and tree-stump DL in rounds 2 and 3....you just gotta guess right.
Coldworld
January 21, 2026 at 01:58 pm
Well, first you’ve got to be open to picking one. Last year neither. You should do better than a pure tree stumper that high. Last year there were some into the 5th, but that was exceptionally deep.
Leatherhead
January 21, 2026 at 01:10 pm
I think Gutekunst has somewhat soured on using high picks on CBs, and I think that passing on DeJean to take Morgan was an example. His experience has been that you can spend high picks on guys like Alexander, or Savage, or Stokes, and be disappointed. Or you can select FAs who've already played in the league and proven that they can stay healthy and on the field, like Nixon and McKinney. And you can get Day 3 guys like Williams and Valentine. He did spend a 2nd round on Bullard, but most of his secondary work has been FAs and Day 3 guys.
Can we get a good, starting quality OL in the second round? Maybe. Most likely a Center. And then if we got one solid Olinemen in FA, like Banks, we'd be in a better position regarding blockers.
And of course, Gutekunst also has a history of trading away players to get more picks, although I don't see how he's going to do that this year. Maybe our best hope is a sign and trade of Willis.
PackEyedOptimist
January 21, 2026 at 06:40 pm
I agree with everything you've said here, LH.
CBs seem to be one of the hardest positions to analyze correctly.
I'd prefer a couple of free agents there, but if we don't get one, it's looking like the second round might be a sweet spot time to select one.
I'm super high on Connor Lew; he's not Creed Humphrey (grinds teeth), but I think he WILL be another Corey Linsley/Lucas Patrick/Scott Wells type. He's another smart, wrestler.
LLCHESTY
January 21, 2026 at 12:40 pm
I've commented this a couple times before but using a June 1st cut on Hobbs saves $8.8 million on this year's cap. OTC put his '25 value at $1.587 million. If you use that savings wisely you could add a more productive outside CB and a fairly decent NT. It kicks the can down the road into '27 as far as his contract but if you look at '26 as the last year before a roster shuffle is needed that shouldn't matter much.
They have holes to fill, positions where one injury could doom the season and not a lot of draft picks so back stopping the roster with some middle of the road veterans is probably a necessity. Hopefully said vets are more like the '24 variety than '25.
Leatherhead
January 21, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Did you factor in the $12M in dead cap it would create, in addition to the hole in the roster that would have to be filled.?
As I've commented before, we have no first round pick and limited money to use in FA. We HAVE to replace or resign Walker, Rhyan, Doubs, Willis, Wilson. That's just on offense. Enagbare and Walker are free agents, too. So that's a total of SEVEN already.
Now, we can start thinking about the guys that would save us money if we cut them, like Jenkins and Gary and Hobbs. Understand that we're likely replacing them with a Day 3 rookie or bargain FA.
I'm saying Hobbs is on the 90 man roster, and until we have some better guys on the 90 man roster, we shouldn't cut him loose.
Coldworld
January 21, 2026 at 02:01 pm
Let’s see what DC we end up with. Depending on their style, we may find that they demand different corner attributes and have a very different approach at slot. Trades are quite possible as a result. DL remains but probably is less affected by the hire.
Houndog
January 21, 2026 at 02:01 pm
There seems to be multiple possibilities here.
By reading Kalani's article one could get the impression that it seems to highlight Gutey' shortcomings at talent evaluation and poor drafting, while (possibly) suggesting Russ Ball's questionable management of the cap!
On the other hand, one could think that the younger guys in the conversation have not been properly 'Coached Up' in what was supposed to be their 'Developmental" years!
Which is it, or is it 'All of the above"?
Every day it gets harder and harder to understand why all three of those positions were given contract extensions!
All that said, before we start choosing precisely what the Defense needs, shouldn't we at least have an idea of what system our new DC intends to run? Duh?
Cheezehead72
January 21, 2026 at 02:10 pm
Russ Ball does a very good job at balancing the books. I hate to see the day he leaves to Packers. He makes it possible for Gute to get the players he wants. In the current structure the blame ultimately falls on Policy and MM before him.
brenner
January 21, 2026 at 02:12 pm
I think with Wyatt, Riley and one of Brooks / Wooden back the DT room would be in decent shape. I'm sure there will be another mid/late Rd DT drafted as well. I would expect 5-6 dts on the roster at the start of the season.
I think the CB room needs a major facelift. Nixon is not a CB1 anywhere in the league, Hobbs has been a bust so far, partly due to not staying healthy, and Valentine is solid depth but not a starter. He only got starting reps because Hobbs was hurt so much, and less than good when he was healthy. I wanted to see more of Diggs against the bares, and hope they get him resigned to at least see what's there. I wouldn't be opposed to doubling up on CB with the 2nd and 3rd round picks
LambeauPlain
January 21, 2026 at 03:25 pm
Granted, they were 11th vs the pass and 17th against the run, but with top shelf reinforcements returning in Parsons and Wyatt, I believe CB is the greater need. The draft and FA are the source of reinforcements (maybe Hadden revs up).
Then the OL for a potential starter or quality depth... followed by DL.
pete-nado
January 21, 2026 at 03:37 pm
Get an O _line coach who can actually make some good decisions, develop some players, and bring some stability to the O Line. It's one thing to cross train, ad yet another to do so much switching around that players can't settle into anything and work as a team. Once you have a decent O-Line coach, then you can prioritize a massive beast of a run stopper in the draft, followed by a corner. Keisean Nixon's performance in the playoff game was more concerning to me than Valentine's. But neither are very good and both have head problems.
246toothpicks
January 21, 2026 at 04:36 pm
I will always side with the country hosses that control the LOS, whether it's offensive or defensive. Football is about one thing and one thing only...controlling the line of scrimmage. Everything else is just noise.
bleedgreen
January 21, 2026 at 05:16 pm
My needs would be
1. OL
2. 2 cornerbacks. We don't have a NFL CB on the team.
3. DL
golfpacker61
January 21, 2026 at 05:27 pm
CB is the much stronger need, and we need to hope 1 or 2 of the Top 10 fall to us at #52. We almost have to pick one @ #52. Otherwise we will be in the "we better get lucky" phase of the draft trying to find a CB that could be playing alot next year. I haven't had many mocks where any of the better CBs fell to #52. We can't move up because of limited picks either. I do like Daylen Everette-Georgia. He is big @ 6'1 200lbs. Fast in the 4.3s and has played alot on a great team. Yeah I know Stokes was also a Bulldog, and I also know he wasn't even the best CB on that team that year.
If we have to go DT @ #52, Lee Hunter is older but looks like a good one. Maybe Orange-Ia State as a run stuffer. Florida State has a good one too.
Lack of $$$ is going to really limit our options.
TKWorldWide
January 21, 2026 at 06:32 pm
Maybe I’ve been sniffing too much glue, but it seems to me that finding a large, run stuffing defensive tackle shouldn’t require a premium pick, provided the slippery 3-tech Wyatt is next to him.
It further seems that elite corners DO require an early selection.
OTOH, there is Ted’s comment that there are only so many athletic 300+ pounders on this earth, whereas those in the 190 pound range are far more numerous.
So, really, I’ve provided nothing. Not surprising, I know.
I think we’d mostly agree that GB lacks the cap space to add a premium FA at either spot, so…
When GB is on the clock in round 2, I’d say it all depends on who’s left on the board. And HOPE they get it right!
PackEyedOptimist
January 21, 2026 at 06:52 pm
In my first mock draft of the year (PFN) I selected Center Connor Lew at 52 (he's another Scott Wells/Corey Linsley type, and we NEED a true center), and Dallen Bentley TE at 84 (he's another Tucker Kraft type, and we will need a new one in '27), and Zane Durant DT (a Mike Daniels type).
Taking a center and TE with our first two picks isn't ideal, but if we get a long-term, quality center and TE, instead of a lesser-quality DT or CB, I see it as a win.
Matt
January 22, 2026 at 03:55 am
When healthy our DL is just fine. We can't say that about CB room. CB, DL, OL and after that best available player.
Turophile
January 22, 2026 at 05:08 am
Is CB or DT the bigger need is the wrong question, because it only applies if both positions offer equally talented options, when the first draft pick rolls around (and also, as long as there isn't someone at a third position that they think is better than either).
More to the point are two other questions.
"Which is the better prospect when we are actually on the clock (whether the original pick or if traded around)"
and "Which position has the quality tailing off the fastest".
I think DT tails off faster, so it might be the smarter move to get the best available player there first.....
Of course, Gute being Gute, virtually any position could be the first pick - guessing what he will due ahead of time in any draft, is a very chancy business.
golfpacker61
January 22, 2026 at 09:48 am
The bottom line is CB & DT were our 2 biggest needs in last years draft, and we did nothing noteworthy to fill either need.
The Top 5 Dts came off the board so fast that we had no chance at any of them. My DT draft crush was Grant from Michigan but he was gone @ #13 to Miami.
There were multiple options at CB though and we chose to ignore them all. Huge mistake!!
#30 Hairston-Kentucky
#47 Johnson-Mich
#52 Morrison-ND
#61 Trey Amos-Ole Miss
#64 Makuba-Tex, could play CB & S
#68 Porter-Ia State
#76 Shavon Revel-E Carolina, 1st round talent that fell because of ACL
Those last 4 were all picked after Belton, who would have been a great pick in the 3rd round.
I will get bitched at about hindsight, but GB had a very poor draft with some baffling picks.
#23 Golden-was popular with the WR crowd-CB was a much bigger need-should have found a trade partner
#54-Belton-the biggest draft mistake-huge overreach when Amos,Makuba,Porter,Revel all available
#87-Williams-overeach-we needed to hit big with this pick
Trading back requires finding a partner, but after missing on the top 4 D-Tackles, top CB Jahdae Barron, and Egbuka-WR from Ohio State, that was the best choice we could have made @ #22. Teams were still interested in trading up, and some did. Gaining extra day 2 picks was a missed opportunity to grab better players at positions of need. And WE would be looking at other positions this year as biggest needs.
Major Snafu
January 22, 2026 at 12:35 pm
This is a joke right? Arent we suppose to be laughing or something. This is the worst pass defense in football, tied with the Lions.
They had three of their top pass defenders out most of the season to injury though but those guys werent the greatest but better then their back ups.
Their similarities: smallish players who lack speed, quickness, cover and tackling ability.
Both the Pack and Lions didnt spend real capital in this area.
Maybe both orgs think a pass rush that doesnt give QB's time, makes up for a bunch of so so secondary players to save bucks? I mean I ask myself, why would you ever draft a 5'10 190 pound defensive back?
I do know the team that is first to figure out how to fix their mess will move to third in the NFC north, the other bottom dwellers. The vikes and Bears are solid teams now. 1 and 2 spots are theirs for years