After handing out contract extensions to both GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur, the pressure is on the Green Bay Packers' brain trust to take advantage of the championship window the team currently finds itself in.
Pressure, as they say, is a privilege, and the Packers will be feeling it. As good of a job as Gutekunst and LaFleur have done at building up this roster, developing talent, and putting this team in a position to compete for the long haul, the Micah Parsons trade last year was a signal-fire that this team believes it can win another Super Bowl right now.
WIthout a first-round pick, the Packers will have to find other ways to get aggressive in moving on from any stale starters in the lineup, but they still have the draft capital to make that happen. And we know this team is not afraid to play rookies early on, no matter what round they're picked.
Packers get aggressive in replacing stale starters in latest 2026 mock draft predictions
1. 52nd overall: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
It doesn't get much more stale than what the Packers have had at the cornerback position the past few seasons. This team went from having an enviable young group of talented players like Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and a resurgent Rasul Douglas, to having a patchwork group of overachievers.
And with all due respect, that's as kindly as we can put it after what that group put forth in 2025. The Packers know they have to address the cornerback position this offseason, and a playmaker in the secondary like Davison Igbinosun is precisely what this team has coveted in the past.
He's got outstanding height and length, as well as the athleticism the Packers covet in top picks at premium positions. Jonathan Gannon will have to help him with his technique and penalty issues, but he's a big-time talent who could play well above this draft status.
2. 84th overall: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
One of the biggest names being talked about this offseason as a potential cut or trade candidate for the Packers is Rashan Gary. Gary's price tag simply does not match his production at this point, and with Micah Parsons getting a massive contract, the Packers almost have an easy decision on a player whose been with the team since they drafted him in the 1st round back in 2019.
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With the departure of Rashan Gary nearly a foregone conclusion at this point, the Packers need to aggressively hunt for pass rushers in this year's draft. Not only to play opposite of Parsons, but to be available in the event that he needs more time to recover from the injury.
The Texas Tech defense was otherworldly this past season in terms of their collection of incoming NFL prospects, and Romello Height shined in his lone season with them, racking up 10 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
3. 120th overall: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
As much as Romeo Doubs brought to the table for the Green Bay Packers, it's hard to argue with the fact that the luster of his initial breakout with the team has worn off considerably. Even though Doubs has led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in two of the past three seasons, the team is poised to let him walk unopposed in NFL Free Agency.
That would indicate things have gotten stale from the team's perspective as well as perhaps the fans' perspective.
The receiver position won't be a primary focus for the Packers, but we know they're always looking here. And Bryce Lance is a big-play with the type of size and athletic traits the Packers covet at this position. With a couple of players coming up on expiring deals right behind Doubs, it wouldnt' be shocking to see a Day 3 investment like this.
4. 158th overall: Trey Zuhn III, OL, Texas A&M
As we get closer to the NFL Draft itself, you can't help but wonder if teams will start to love a player like Trey Zuhn III more and more.
Especially teams like the Packers, who really value the versatility of offensive line prospects coming out. The more you can do, the better shot you have of being high on Brian Gutekunst's board. With Elgton Jenkins a possible cap casualty or trade candidate this offseason, and when you talk about an effective "replacement" for Jenkins, does it get any more on the nose than this from Lance Zierlein at NFL.com?
"Zuhn projects as “solid” more than “standout” but he could have a long career as a starter at center or guard while offering emergency help as a tackle."
- Lance Zierlein
5. 200th overall: Eric Gentry, EDGE, USC
6. 237th overall: Jalen McMurray, CB, Tennessee
7. 254th overall: Drew Stevens, K, Iowa
8. 257th overall: Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee
The most notable couple of moves here as the Packers round out this mock draft include the drafting of a kicker prospect (Drew Stevens) as well as a developmental backup QB.
Drew Stevens has been lights out for the Hawkeyes over the last handful of years, even with a bit of a down year percentage-wise this past season. The Packers have had very bad kicker issues for the past couple of seasons and need to address that.
They also need to bring someone in who can potentially start if need be at quarterback. That's more likely to be a veteran than someone like Joey Aguilar, but Aguilar was just denied another year of eligibility at the college level and could become an intriguing late-round developmental option with Malik Willis likely leaving in free agency.