When the Green Bay Packers entered into the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick, general manager Brian Gutekunst knew he had to be selective with his first choice coming in the second round.
The Packers would, of course, take South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse with pick no. 52 overall. In doing so, they likely solidified a starting position. At least, that's what Packer fans have been thinking since the moment the pick was announced.
However, as any smart rookies will do, Cisse recently answered questions about his immediate role in humble fashion, stating "there's a long way to go" before thinking about locking down a starting spot.
Fast forward to new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's introductory press conference and, when asked about the cornerback room, Gannon had very similar thoughts to Cisse's.
"I love where the room is at right now. Obviously we acquired two new guys in the draft and that'll be good competition. Everybody right now is kind of competing for their role. Roles are not defined by any means... the more competition, the better."
Jonathan Gannon opts with classic coach speak rather than cementing Brandon Cisse's immediate role
Quite frankly, did we expect any other answer from Gannon? He talked about the cornerback room in the manner everyone probably would have expected and mentioned the newfound competition the Packers would have there.
Gannon was referring to, of course, the Packers' other rookie cornerback taken in the sixth round: Domani Jackson out of Alabama. But, Jackson isn't the only other newcomer.
The Packers also signed former Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St. Juste in free agency. So, it isn't just Cisse that presents competition for the Packers veterans who were here last year; namely Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon.
Cisse is still probably the favorite to start opposite Nixon, at this point, and it would take something pretty drastic to happen for that outcome not to happen.
Gutekunst spent his priciest pick on Cisse, after all, and that typically equates to a player who can play right away -- unless you're the Los Angeles Rams.
Not sure where the Rambs jab came from, but I digress.
Cisse projects to be a strong starter in the NFL and, for the Packers to have gotten him at no. 52 overall, is a mighty value. There were certainly some cornerback-needy teams who could have snatched him up beforehand; namely, the Atlanta Falcons who took Avieon Terrell instead.
Fortunately, the Packers look like they have their future no. 1 cornerback in Cisse. He'll just have to wait a bit to get that name tag.
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