The Green Bay Packers were patient in waiting for their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to fall to them, but they went a decidedly different route to acquire Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan in the third round.
After nabbing talented South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse at No. 52 overall, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst moved up from 84th to 77th overall to ensure he'd secure the rights to McClellan. Quite the job by Gutey and Co. to upgrade a defense that was in real need of youthful reinforcements.
If there were any doubts about whether the Packers were too bold to sacrifice the 160th pick to Tampa Bay in their move up the board, Gutenkunst put those to rest in his post-Day 2 draft press conference.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst explains how Chris McClellan's versatility will be a big boon to Green Bay's defense
McClellan's arrival provides a menacing interior presence to complement Micah Parsons. But this isn't some developmental prospect, or at least that's what it sounds like from what Gutenkust had to say.
It's not every day you find a third-rounder who figures to be a major factor as a rookie from the jump. However, that appears to be the case here with McClellan.
What stood out most from Gutenkust's comments was the emphasis on how McClellan can play pretty much anywhere on the defensive line right out of the gates. In other words, the 6-4, 313-pounder isn't being pigeonholed as a pure nose tackle.
Here are the main takeaways on McClellan with a little Cisse tease thrown in, via The Leap's Jason B. Hirschhorn:
"I think the combination of being able to play the nose, the three, and actually rush the passer — there's a lot of these guys that don't do that. He can," Gutekunst said.
"We wouldn't have taken them this high if we didn't think they could help us right away," he added.
Those sentiments about versatility were echoed by McClellan when he held court with the Green Bay local media for the first time:
"I can play anywhere across the line, and that's what I'm going to do. Wherever they need me to go, I'll go and play and contribute and help the team in whatever way I can. I don't care if I have to be a zero nose or a five-technique."
Cisse joining the Packers' secondary was a big boost as it was. If McClellan can indeed align anywhere from head-up on the center to the edge, defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is about to have a field day with all the stunts and games he can run in the trenches.
Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave provide ample interior pass-rushing juice. McClellan can add to that. Lukas Van Ness is a powerful player off the edge. Parsons' individual impact is self-evident.
Oh, and rising star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper had 3.5 sacks as a rookie in 2024 despite not being a full-time starter. He's a threat to blitz or rush at any given moment.
On a front seven that was already well-respected, McClellan has the makings of a true force multiplier who'll help keep Wyatt and Hargrave fresh, and create favorable matchups for everyone else. No wonder Gutey was aggressive to acquire him.
The Packers still have the 120th and 153rd picks to add some decent contributors, but between Cisse and McClellan alone, their defense should see meaningful improvement this year. Never mind the upside both these players can tap into in the seasons to come as they keep developing.
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