Latest Packers draft intel confirms growing suspicion about direction team is now clearly preparing to take
Cornerback is a top priority for the Packers in the draft, and what happened last season serves as a warning sign about how to build the defensive roster.
The Green Bay Packers have some big needs on the roster, but none of them is more pressing than the cornerback position. Last year, the front office built the defense prioritizing the front, with a weak-link approach in the backend, and it was a costly approach — exposing the secondary after Micah Parsons went down.
This offseason, the team decided to release Nate Hobbs and sign Benjamin St-Juste. The group also has Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, and some depth pieces, but the need to add high-end talent is evident.
ESPN draft intel mentions CB as a top priority
Even though the Packers could also take an interior defensive lineman, offensive lineman, or even a wide receiver early, cornerback is the priority. ESPN‘s Rob Demovsky mentioned that Gutekunst could take multiple ones in the draft.
“Don’t be surprised if the Packers pick more than one. GM Brian Gutekunst has never been afraid to double or even triple up at a position in the same draft. The Packers still like Keisean Nixon, but they need another equally — if not more — effective player to pair with him.” Rob Demovsky
Matt Miller corroborated what the Packers beat writer reported, highlighting the work the Packers have done around Day 2 defensive backs.
“What we’re hearing about the Packers’ draft: I’ll echo the cornerback talk. The Packers have been widely connected to the second tier of corners in this class since the Senior Bowl. Chris Johnson (San Diego State) has plenty of fans in the team’s scouting department, from what I’ve heard.” — Matt Miller
Draft resources
The decision to draft a cornerback early would take Brian Gutekunst back to his roots. His first two draft picks as a general manager were CBs — Jaire Alexander in the first and Josh Jackson in the second back in 2018. He also took Ka’dar Hollman in the sixth in 2019, Eric Stokes in the first round, and Shemar Jean-Charles in the fifth in 2021.
Over the past three years, the Packers have only used seventh-round picks to address the position. Outside of Carrington Valentine (2023), Kalen King (2024) and Micah Robinson (2025) are not on the team anymore — King is with the Arizona Cardinals, while Robinson was signed off the Packers’ practice squad by the Tennessee Titans during last regular season.