Mock drafts are a cool exercise to simulate scenarios and what you would do in each situation. In most of our mocks so far, we tried to keep the picks and see what players would be in each range. However, this one is different.

We used the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator tool, and ended up trading down in the second round. Representing the Green Bay Packers, we sent picks 52 (second round) and 120 (fourth round) to the Carolina Panthers for pick 83 (third round) and the enticing part of the deal: second- and third-round picks in 2027, which is projected to be a much better class.

Even with one fewer pick in 2026, it was still possible to reinforce both sides of the ball — the offense early, and defensive depth late.

Third round, Pick 83: Drew Shelton, T, Penn State

Shelton has been a frequent pick for us because he offers a high ceiling as a left tackle, but also the positional versatility that the Packers love. He could create immediate competition at guard, for example, with Aaron Banks and Anthony Belton.

Third round, Pick 84: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

He is Trey Lance’s brother, but he looks more like Christian Watson — and it’s not just because both played at NDSU. Lance is explosive and extremely athletic (9.98 RAS). He barely played in 2023, but was highly efficient in each of the past two years, surpassing 1,000 yards in each and combining 25 receiving touchdowns. He’s 6-3, 209 pounds. Because Watson himself, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks are all in contract years, it makes sense for the Packers to add more long-term pieces to the room.

Fifth round, Pick 160: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Without a fourth-round pick, we start Day 3 in the fifth-round with an impressive cornerback — a position of obvious need for Green Bay. Everette was a two-year starter, good but inconsistent ball skills, and excellent for heavy-zone schemes. He’s a developmental prospect, but seems to be the ideal fit for Jonathan Gannon’s philosophy.

Sixth round, Pick 201: Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan

The Packers added Javon Hargrave, but the position still lacks depth and long-term options. Benny is a complete interior defensive lineman, excellent run defender and quick enough to generate pressure from the interior.

Seventh round, Pick 236: Aaron Hall, DT, Duke

Following the idea of the previous pick, the Packers double down with another interior defensive lineman late in the draft. Hall had nine tackles for loss, 34 tackles, and 2.5 sacks — run defense is his calling card, and the Packers badly need it.

Seventh round, Pick 255: Cameron Robertson, EDGE, SMU

After trading Rashan Gary and losing Kingsley Enagbare in free agency, the Packers could certainly use more edge depth. Robertson isn’t a high-ceiling player, but he is long, big-bodied, and solid against the run — an interesting option to replace what Enagbare had to offer.

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