Packers 7-round mock draft blends instant impact with future security

The Green Bay Packers were firing on all cylinders last season before Micah Parsons tore his ACL, which derailed their Super Bowl hopes. Trading for Parsons incurred a steep cost, including Green Bay's 2026 first-round pick.

But the Packers always seem to find a way to make their hay in the draft. They're as good as any front office in developing their own talent and building a cost-effective roster. As long as Parsons is healthy for this year and beyond, the uncharacteristic blockbuster trade will have been well worth it.

In order to keep Green Bay among the league's best teams and in the mix of a highly competitive NFC North division, though, this rookie class needs to be strong. Here's a seven-round mock draft that would put the Packers in a great spot in the present and for the future.

Packers 7-round mock draft strikes gold to kick off Day 2

Round 2, Pick 52 — Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

Neither of Green Bay's incumbent boundary cornerbacks in Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine should be beyond reproach in 2026. The Packers signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, but his positive signs on the Chargers last year came on a limited sample size.

Keith Abney II feels like he's falling through the cracks a bit in this rather deep cornerback class. He let up only 32 catches on 72 targets this past season, didn't yield a TD, and had two interceptions for a passer rating of 46.1.

In addition to boasting exceptional chops in zone coverage, Abney isn't afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage or in run support, missing only two tackles in his last year at Arizona State.

Abney would push Valentine for the starting CB2 job opposite Nixon, and has shown the versatility to line up at the nickel as well. His production profile is reminiscent of Packers nemesis Jaylon Johnson, which ain't bad company to keep.

Round 3, Pick 84 — Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Not until a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl did Kansas State center Sam Hecht explode onto many NFL Draft radars. Hecht is a classic Green Bay pick in the offensive trenches who could even threaten Sean Rhyan's status as the Packers' starting center.

In his final two years of college ball, Hecht didn't allow a single sack on 824 pass blocking snaps. Rhyan has played all along the interior o-line, but by PFF's tally, he had the worst pass blocking grade among 37 qualifying centers.

Do the Packers really want Rhyan as their main man snapping Jordan Love the ball? Hecht represents a probable instant upgrade. His 79.8 zone blocking PFF grade meshes well with Green Bay's scheme, too.

Round 4, Pick 120 — Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri

Devonte Wyatt is coming off a broken fibula and torn ankle ligaments. The Packers did sign Javon Hargrave on the open market, but he's more known as a pass rusher than a gap-clogging run stopper.

That's where Mizzou's Chris McClellan could be of some real help in Green Bay's defensive tackle group. McClellan ran a 5.05 40-yard dash at the Combine. Not bad for a 6'4", 313-pounder! Showing some serious stamina at that size.

Across four years at Florida and Mizzou, McClellan showed steady improvement. He does bring some juice as an interior rusher (six sacks in 2025), along with an 8.1% run stop rate from his latest season that nods to his proficiency in that area. McClellan projects as a reliable rotational player.

Round 5, Pick 160 — George Gumbs Jr., EDGE, Florida

Here's a somewhat puzzling prospect who's converted from wide receiver to tight end, and then to the defensive edge, per his NFL.com draft profile.

George Gumbs Jr. transferred from Northern Illinois to Florida in 2024 just after making his last position switch. He's flashed enough potential (14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks in 22 games for the Gators) to merit a Day 3 dart throw from Green Bay. Fun film cutup below.

Round 6, Pick 201 — Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

No clue if Oscar Delp will slide this far, but it's worth noting that he played last season with a hairline fracture in his foot.

Delp was overshadowed by Brock Bowers and other Georgia tight ends during his time in Athens, yet he's a willing blocker and uber-athletic pass-catcher whose best football should be ahead of him. The Packers should invest in the tight end position sometime in this draft since Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are due for free agency in 2027.

Round 7, Pick 236 — Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA

One of my favorite sleeper prospects in this entire class who I have 91st on my latest big board, compared to his 265th ranking on the consensus board. Green Bay could use some RB2 competition behind Josh Jacobs, and Robert Henry Jr. is the epitome of, "scout the player, not the helmet."

Robert Henry Jr. is a big play waiting to happen. His short-area quickness and compact 5'9", 196-pound frame translated to 6.9 yards per carry and 1,045 rushing yards in a breakout 2025 campaign of sorts. Plus, he did that behind a Roadrunners offensive line that ranked 107th in the country in PFF's run blocking grades. Sign me up for RHJ!

Round 7, Pick 255 — Trebor Peña, WR, Penn State

Having watched some of the grisly film of Drew Allar playing quarterback for such a disjointed Penn State offense, it's a wonder Trebor Peña managed 552 yards on 49 receptions after transferring from Syracuse. He racked up 941 yards and nine TDs on 84 grabs for the Orange in 2024.

Peña excels most from the slot, which is where Green Bay could use some depth given that Jayden Reed is entering a contract year. If nothing else, Peña would be a high-effort special teams contributor both on coverage and possibly as a return man.