PITTSBURGH — The Green Bay Packers are punting on Thursday night. After the franchise-altering trade to land Micah Parsons last season, GM Brian Gutekunst will watch 51 names fly off the board in Pittsburgh before his clock starts. It is a strange position for a team that usually thrives on high-pedigree youth, but the pursuit of a Super Bowl in 2026 demands a different brand of aggression.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23, and while the Packers are spectators for the opening act, the work begins in earnest on Friday. With critical gaps at edge rusher, cornerback, and offensive line, Gutekunst must find starters in the middle rounds to support a roster that is officially in “win-now” mode.
Green Bay’s defensive identity shifted the moment Parsons put on the G, but the cost was steep. The Packers moved Rashan Gary and saw Kingsley Enagbare walk in free agency. Now, Parsons is recovering from a late-season ACL tear, leaving a massive void on the perimeter. Pick 52 is the first chance to find a running mate for the star linebacker.
Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas is the name circling the scouts. He is an explosive speed rusher who launched himself into the early Day 2 conversation with 9.0 sacks in 2024 and a relentless motor. Thomas is a bit undersized at 241 pounds, but his first step is a blur. He might get swallowed by the league’s massive tackles, yet his ability to shave the edge tightly makes him a nightmare in sub-packages. Other names to watch include Malachi Lawrence (UCF) and Derrick Moore (Michigan) if the board falls their way.
If the Packers pass on a pass rusher, the secondary is the next logical target. Beyond Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, the depth chart is dangerously thin. The goal is simple: find a lockdown partner. Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds is the high-IQ option that Matt LaFleur craves. Ponds is a ball magnet, finishing his college career with 7 interceptions and 33 passes defended.
He lacks the prototypical “size and length” that scouts drool over, but his instincts are surgical. He understands spacing and anticipation at a level rarely seen in the second round. If Ponds is gone by 52, Chris Johnson out of San Diego State provides a more physical, scheme-dependent alternative for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The offensive line took a hit when Rasheed Walker left in free agency. Jordan Morgan, the 2024 first-round pick, is the projected starter at left tackle, but the depth behind him is a house of cards. Chase Bisontis from Texas A&M could be the solution if Gutekunst decides to prioritize protecting Jordan Love. Bisontis is a mauler with heavy hands and a mean streak that shows up on every zone-blocking rep. He lacks elite length, but his core strength allows him to sustain blocks against the league’s most powerful interior defenders.
“We knew the price of getting a guy like Micah. We aren’t crying about not having a pick on Thursday. We’re focused on making sure that when we do turn in that card at 52, it’s a player who can help us win a ring this February.”
— Brian Gutekunst, Packers General Manager
The Packers are walking a tightrope. After a 2025 season where first-round receiver Matthew Golden struggled to find his rhythm, the pressure on this 2026 class is immense. The NFC North is a shark tank, and the Lions aren’t slowing down. Green Bay needs immediate contributors at Pick 52 and Pick 84 to ensure the Parsons trade wasn’t a hollow gesture. If they miss on these mid-rounders, the roster’s top-heavy nature could be its undoing when the January wind starts howling at Lambeau.
