Categorizing Packers' roster needs entering 2026 NFL draft
· Yahoo Sports
The Green Bay Packers have done a mini roster rebuild this offseason, with several veteran starters exiting via trade or free agency. The roster has been left with holes, and possessing only eight picks in the 2026 NFL draft -- including six on Day 3 and no first-round pick -- provides a difficult intersection of needs and draft capital.
However, the roster holes look quite clear, and Brian Gutekunst's proven ability to find quality starters outside Round 1 provides an opportunity for the Packers to plug some short- and long-term needs with the 2026 draft class.
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Instead of simply ranking roster needs, let’s categorize the individual needs into the four tiers: rookie contributors, long-term developmental players, positional depth and no clear need.
Need rookie contributors
These are positions where the Packers likely need a rookie to play right away.
Interior defensive line: Who plays nose tackle for Jonathan Gannon's front? It's possible the Packers see veteran Javon Hargrave as an option, and Jonathan Ford and Nazir Stackhouse return. But this is a glaring hole on the roster, and the right rookie could be called on to fill it early in 2026. Overall, the Packers have only four roster locks at defensive tackle entering the draft, and none are true two-gapping nose tackles, so there is a real opportunity for a draft pick to come in and earn a role in the new 3-4 front.
Need developmental players
These are positions where the Packers must find capable rookies to play early and develop into the future.
Cornerback: One could easily argue this position belongs a tier above, but the Packers will return Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Javon Bullard, an experienced trio who handled most of the starting snaps at cornerback a season ago. Is an upgrade required? Almost certainly, and both Nixon and Valentine are entering contract years. The Packers will take a corner at some point in this draft, and that rookie should be given every opportunity to play snaps early on. Finding a future starter from this class is absolutely vital.
Defensive end: Gone are Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, who played almost 1,200 combined snaps on the edge last season, and Micah Parsons is recovering from ACL surgery and likely to miss time to start the 2026 season. While the Packers have Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver returning, this position could use another investment via the draft. You can never have enough pass-rushers, and Van Ness, Sorrell and Oliver are each a variant of unknown at this point in their development.
Running back: Emanuel Wilson departed in free agency, and MarShawn Lloyd is a massive question mark after two injury-plagued seasons. Throw in the fact that Josh Jacobs has over 2,000 career touches in the NFL and an uncertain contact situation past the 2026 season, and running back becomes a position where the Packers could see fit to add competition and depth with a draft pick. A rookie would have a chance to be a legitimate backup option behind Jacobs in 2026 and a future starter as soon as 2027.
Offensive line: Both offensive tackle and the interior offensive line qualify here. The Packers have invested big (via dollars or draft capital) in their five expected starters, but competition and long-term depth planning is always a priority along the offensive line, and nothing is fully settled at guard or center past 2026. Finding a versatile, multi-position player in the draft could make for a valuable contingency plan.
Need positional depth/competition
These are positions where competition down the depth chart might be required.
Wide receiver: The Packers lost Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks, but their departures were made possible by the long-term planning done a year prior. Matthew Golden and Savion Williams are now expected to slide into more prominent roles during Year 2 seasons. While Christian Watson and Jayden Reed are entering contract years, both are prime extension candidates. The addition of Skyy Moore provides a veteran option down the depth chart, and Bo Melton -- despite a position change to corner -- still only played receiver last season. Still, the Packers could use depth and the stability of a new, four-year rookie contract at receiver. Don't be surprised if the Packers take another swing in the middle rounds.
Tight end: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave and Josh Whyle will all enter contract years in 2026. While Kraft is almost certain to get a new deal, the depth behind him is a long-term concern the Packers might address via the draft this year. Adding a blocking type with receiving potential is a possible path.
Linebacker: The Packers swapped Quay Walker for Zaire Franklin at linebacker. With Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch and Jamon Johnson on the roster, linebacker looks mostly set, especially in a 3-4 front. Franklin's contract and Hopper's slow development does provide an opportunity for long-term planning here, however.
Quarterback: With Malik Willis now in Miami, only Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord are on the roster behind Jordan Love. Is this the draft class to invest in a long-term backup plan? Or will the Packers look at veteran free agency following the draft, when comp picks are no longer in question? Green Bay is in a win-now window and would probably prefer the veteran option.
No clear need
These are positions that don't have an obvious short- or long-term need.
Safety: This isn't to say the Packers couldn't attempt to upgrade at safety, especially with Javon Bullard now playing in the slot, but this position remains rock solid. Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams are an excellent starting duo, Bullard has the flexibility to play deep and Kitan Oladapo is entering his third season as a slot/safety combo. The Packers did lose Zayne Anderson, so there might be room for a special teams type at safety.
Kicker/punter: Daniel Whelan emerged as one of the NFL's best punters in 2025, and the Packers backed Brandon McManus over and over again despite some injury issues and late-season struggles. There really is no "long term" discussion of the kicker position; you either have one for the upcoming season or don't. For better or worse, McManus appears to be the guy for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers draft: Categorizing roster needs entering 2026 draft