Packers 2026 draft needs by position

[LouisEly]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being absolutely no need and 10 being a dire need.  I’m not going to play the “what if someone gets injured” game because this is the NFL and you can say that about every position.  It’s based entirely on who they have now.

QB: (3) – Need for a starter, 1.  Need for a backup, 5.  They have a backup, but Gutey said they want to get back to drafting QBs and they have done that, picking two in the last three years.  There is a track record of drafting QBs before they are needed, and if someone falls to them they won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

RB: (2.5) – Same as QB, need for a starter, 1, backup, 4.  We’ll find out what they think about Lloyd’s health, but I don’t see it as being higher than a 5^th round pick.  That they let Wilson walk may mean they’re likely to go with who they have.  Strong was a 4th round pick, Martinez a 7th round pick, so they may feel comfortable with those guys as backups.

TE: (9) – Right now they have only three TEs who were on the 53 last year, one may start the season on the PUP or in limited action, none are currently under contract past 2026, and they like multiple TE sets.  Not a day 2 need, but I’ll be shocked if one isn’t picked on day 3 because they’ll likely need multiple TEs in 2027.

WR: (2) – They’re full here, even though few are under contract beyond 2026.  I just don’t see the roster space for a pick.  They’ll extend guys they already have.

OT: (3) – They’re set here, too.  They have their starters in Morgan and Tom, their swing OT in Kinnard, and Belton can step out and play OT if needed.  An OL with inside/outside flexibility may be picked, but more so as a guard who can play tackle if needed.

OG: (7) – Banks rarely was both healthy and good, upgrades from Jennings and Glover are needed, and we don’t know anything about Williams except that he was a 7^th round pick.  Positional flexibility will be key as he will be a backup.

OC: (4) – Really depends on what they think of Monk.  But they have three draft picks here – Rhyan, Monk, and John Williams was getting some looks at center late last year, so it would not surprise me if they didn’t pick one.  A guy who can play both center and guard is a good bet.

DT: (7) – A true NT would be helpful, as upgrades from Stackhouse, Riley, and Ford are needed. 

Edge: (5) – A sneaky need, as they need to make a decision on LVN’s 5^th year option in 6 weeks and I don’t see them exercising it if they didn’t exercise Walker last year.  Parsons will likely start the year on PUP or limited action, leaving just LVN, Sorrell, Oliver, and Cox.  Another body would be useful, and Gutey believes strongly in pass rushers.

ILB: (1) – they’re set here with Cooper/Franklin, Hopper/McDuffie, and Welch/Niemann, and they gave significant guaranteed money to Jamon Johnson last year.

CB: (9) – Nixon and Carrington have been average to above average, but both are UFAs after this year.  St. Juste is the only one under contract for 2027.  Need a 2^nd-4^th round pick here.

S: (1) – They’re set here with McKinney, Williams, Bullard, Oladapo, Simpson, and Baldwin.

K: (3) – Could use an upgrade here, but I don’t see an immediate upgrade in the draft.  It usually takes kickers a few years to hit their stride in the NFL, so maybe a 7th rounder with a big leg who they try to stash on the PS.

P: (1) – They have one of the best they’ve ever had.

 

[CheezWizHed]

I'm higher in the need for a C, but I'd guess they will get one of the "College Ts that should be a C/G at the NFL".  I think the tell on Monk is that they signed Lecitus Smith off the street and got more snaps than Monk. 

I'm interested to see what we get in Williams.  Since he was injured at the time of the draft, he is probably better than the traditional 7th rounder... potentially a 4th/5th rounder, which is a great spot to find development guards. 

I'm lower on the TE side... I think they'll draft one, but not high unless someone falls in our laps. 

DT/CB are my top two priorities and C comes second.