Way too early Packers 2026 mock draft

Now that the 2025 NFL Draft is over with, now I have decided to make a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early 2026 Packers mock. I am hopeful that the Packers solved their wide receiver room via this past draft, so I actually don’t one going there haha

 

1) Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Muhammad is stepping into the top cornerback role with the departure of many Texas defensive backs, including Jahdae Barron, who was drafted in the first round by the Broncos. In 27 games, he has 12 passes defensed, including eight last season, as well as one interception. On the Packers side of things, the Packers lost a pair of cornerbacks in free agency and signed Nate Hobbs, who will likely be in the slot. While Jaire Alexander could come back for one more season, they will need one regardless. If Alexander is back this year, it will likely be for one season, so the Packers will be in desperate need of cornerbacks next season.

 

2) Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida

This season, the Packers did not take an EDGE in the first three rounds. While the sack numbers weren’t terrible, Green Bay took advantage of a few terrible offensive lines to record most of them. Rashan Gary needs to produce more like his contract suggests, while it is a big season upcoming for Lukas Van Ness since he needs to take a big leap in the second season in Jeff Hafley’s defense. Green Bay needs another pass rusher to help out Gary and create a strong rotation. Sapp could go higher than this, honestly, as he totaled seven sacks as a junior after two combined in his first two seasons.

 

3) Jaydn Ott, RB. Oklahoma

Josh Jacobs has been a great pick-up for the Packers and they drafted MarShawn Lloyd last season, but running backs can break down at any moment. In 2026, his contract goes to more than $14 million. I would not be surprised at an extension, but Ott would be a solid backup plan to pair with Lloyd, who missed virtually the entire season last year. In Matt LaFleur’s offense, having three good running backs is extremely beneficial. Ott had a disappointing season last year, led by poor run blocking, so he transferred to Oklahoma. He has a chance to be one of the best running backs in next year’s draft.

 

4) Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

The Packers didn’t really take a linebacker in this year’s draft class. Collin Oliver could be, but he is much better suited to be a situational pass rusher. Now, with Quay Walker not receiving the fifth-year option (an extension does seem likely, though), the Packers could look at the position to fill in the draft. Green Bay did sign Isaiah Simmons and re-sign Isaiah McDuffie, but the former was to a prove-it deal and the latter to a two-year deal, so it would be surprising to see them go after a linebacker in the draft. He did everything for the Panthers last season, recording 100 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble.

 

5) J.C. Davis, OL, Illinois                

Death. Taxes. Packers taking offensive linemen in the NFL Draft. Green Bay has three major free agents in Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan and Brian Gutekunst game planned for that with the signing of Aaron Banks and selection of Anthony Belton. I expect Tom to sign a big extension, but there is high probability the Packers let the other two free agents walk and roll with a starting lineup of Jordan Morgan, Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Belton and Tom in 2026. Green Bay needs depth and it has been able to find offensive line gems in the mid-rounds. He is the starting left tackle for the Illini, but he has played both tackle spots and could kick inside to guard as well.

 

6) Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa

The Hawkeyes are hoping the transfer from South Dakota could be the answer to their QB issues—at least for one year. The four-year starting quarterback for FCS power South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to their first two national championships. On the Packers end, Malik Willis is a free agent at season’s end and he’ll likely go to a place where he can compete for the starting spot after having a successful season last year when Jordan Love was out. The Packers will look at a backup quarterback for when Willis moves on and Gronowski could be an option in the later rounds.

 

7) Edric Hill, DL, Alabama

The Packers always grab defensive linemen in the draft, at least one or two a draft. Green Bay has a bunch of decent players at the position, as Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks all have their moments, but they need a stud at the position, not to mention this very easily could be Clark’s last season in Titletown as his play isn’t worth his hefty contract. I am not sure if he would come in and play immediately a lot, but the Packers hope he hits his ceiling. The Packers drafted Warren Brinson and signed Nazir Stackhouse as a UDFA, so it will be interesting to see how they play. You can never have too many defensive linemen.

Top 20 current coaches who have yet to reach the Final Four

It is about that time again. We are about a month removed from the national championship game with Florida defeating Houston, so now it is time for my to release my new list of top current coaches who have not made the Final Four. From last year’s list, Jon Scheyer graduated since he made the Final Four this season and Leonard Hamilton retired, so here is my newest list:

 

Honorable Mentions:

Penny Hardaway, Memphis (162-68, three NCAA Tournament appearances)

Niko Medved, Minnesota (143-85, three NCAA Tournament appearances)

Kevin Willard, Villanova (335-249, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Andy Enfield, SMU (285-186, six NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16, one Elite 8)

Chris Holtmann, DePaul (265-191, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Steve Alford, Nevada (699-371, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, four Sweet 16s)

Ben Jacobsen, Northern Iowa (374-246, four NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Danny Sprinkle, Washington (122-68, three NCAA Tournament appearances)

Fran McCaffery, Penn (548-384, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances)

Mike Young, Virginia Tech (404-329, seven NCAA Tournament appearances)

 

20. Steve Pikiell, Rutgers (344-314, three NCAA Tournament appearances)

Even after a bad year—especially considering expectations—I decided not to move him off him the list. With two possible top five picks, the Scarlet Knights did not make the NCAA Tournament. While Pikiell is no doubt a solid coach, the Scarlet Knights have just recorded 20+ wins once in nine seasons and haven’t won more than 10 Big Ten games since 2021-22. However, Rutgers was a dumpster fire before he arrived in Piscataway. Rutgers had not made the Big Dance since 1991 prior to his arrival. Pikiell has turned around the program in a big way. In 2021, he led the Scarlet Knights to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1983 and nearly upset No. 2 seed Houston in the second round. He had three below .500 seasons with Rutgers to start his career, but then it all came together. Rutgers had only once made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances (1975-76) before making it to two straight seasons in 2021 and 2022. Before going to New Jersey, he had a big turnaround at Stony Brook, winning just four games in his first year to a program that reached the postseason in six of his final seven seasons, culminating with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.

 

19. Ed Cooley, Georgetown (361-261, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Cooley made a big improvement this season from year one to year two at Georgetown. After leading the Hoyas to two wins in league play in year one, Cooley led Georgetown to eight wins in Big East play, the most since 2018-19 when the Hoyas recorded nine league wins in Patrick Ewing’s second season at the helm. In his first five tournament appearances, his team only advanced past the first round once, but made it to the second weekend in 2022 and put a scare into eventual national champion Kansas and actually had the lead with under six minutes to play. Cooley will have the Hoyas as a perennial NCAA Tournament team shortly under Cooley.

 

18. Pat Kelsey, Louisville (288-130, five NCAA Tournament appearances)

There should be no surprise he is on the list. Most may argue that he should be higher, and I could definitely buy that. Kelsey turned around a Louisville team from eight wins in 2023-24 the year before he came to 27 in his first year, a trip to the ACC Tournament title game and an NCAA Tournament berth. For his efforts, he was named ACC Coach of the Year. He started his collegiate head coaching career at Winthrop, where he turned around a team that had 12 wins the season before he arrived to a 23-2 mark in his final season, which earned the Eagles a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He took a job at College of Charleston in 2021-22 and all he did was lead the Cougars to a pair of conference titles and tournament berths, where it helped him earn the job at Louisville. The Cardinals have a good one in Kelsey, who could leave this list shortly with all the materials at his disposal with the Cardinals.

 

17. Mark Byington, Vanderbilt (239-146, two NCAA Tournament appearances)

In year one, Mark Byington had a sensational year one for Vanderbilt, leading the Commodores to 20 wins in his first season in Nashville and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2017. During year one, Vanderbilt posted five victories against top 25 teams, including four against top 15 opponents. He took over a program that had only two winning seasons in five years under Jerry Stackhouse. Prior to coming over to Vanderbilt, he spent four seasons at James Madison, where he led the Dukes to 82 victories, including 32 in 2023-24, leading them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Before JMU, he led Georgia Southern to 131-97 in seven seasons, including three straight 20-win seasons to finish his tenure with the Eagles. It will be interesting to see how he does with Vanderbilt going forward in the brutal SEC.

 

16. Kevin Young, BYU (26-10, one NCAA Tournament appearance, one Sweet 16)

Young had some big shoes to fill, following the departure of Mark Pope to Kentucky. He did so in a big way, leading the Cougars to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2011 before Alabama made approximately 700 3-pointers—at least it seemed that way, anyway—to send BYU home. In the brutal Big 12, he led BYU to a 14-6 record in league play. This is his first college head coaching job after spending more than a decade in the NBA and the NBA G-League. An interesting note on Wikipedia about him…he is the great-great-great-great-grandson of Lorenzo Young, the brother of BYU's founder and namesake, Brigham Young. It doesn’t mean anything, but I found it interesting. With the NIL money flowing into the school, it would not shock me to see Young reach the Final Four in the not-too-distant future.

 

15. Grant McCasland, Texas Tech (403-141, three NCAA Tournament appearances, one Elite 8)

Grant McCasland makes his debut on the list after leading Texas Tech to an appearance in the Elite 8, where they could not hold a nine-point lead in the final three minutes and lost to eventual national champion Florida. The Gators finished the contest on an 18-4 spurt to send them to the Final Four and leave the Red Raiders to think what could have been. Still, Texas Tech made major strides in year two under McCasland after falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in year one. He’ll have a heck of an opportunity this season with reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and All-American JT Toppin returning for the 2025-26 season. While with the Mean Green, he compiled a 135-65 mark, making the postseason four times, including one NCAA Tournament berth in which they upset Purdue in overtime and made the second round. In his final season in Denton, he guided UNT to the NIT title. He has things moving in the right direction in Lubbock.

 

14. Ben McCollum, Iowa (426-95, one NCAA Tournament appearance)

McCollum is making his first appearance on this list after a fantastic year in his only season at Drake after coming over from Northwest Missouri State (Division II), where he built a dynasty, compiling a 395-91 mark and four national championships in his last eight years and it could have been five if COVID hadn’t forced a cancellation of that season’s tournament. He brought over Bennett Stirtz and the Bulldogs rolled to a 31-4 record and upset of Missouri in the first round. Now he takes over a middling Iowa team that hasn’t reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament this millennium. If anyone can do it, McCollum can. It is a brutal Big Ten now with the additions of the four Pac 12 schools, but on the surface, the Hawkeyes made a home run hire this offseason,

 

13. Jamie Dixon, TCU (504-249, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s, one Elite 8)

Dixon has been a great coach for a number of years, from Pittsburgh to TCU. After 328 wins at Pitt, he took his talents to his alma mater and has not skipped a beat. Before a down season this past year, he won at least 20 games in each of the prior three seasons, bringing relevance to a program that was a dumpster fire before he got there. Even in a down season, he still finished .500 and his ninth-place finish in the Big 12 is as good as Trent Johnson did. He took over a dormant program after Johnson couldn’t win in his four years with the program. TCU only had one winning season and was a combined 8-64 in conference play, never finishing higher than ninth in the conference. Prior to Dixon, TCU had not made either the NCAA Tournament or NIT since 2005, and not made the Big Dance this millennium. The one thing he needs to improve upon is his 69-93 mark in league play, never finishing above .500.

 

12. Will Wade, North Carolina State (246-105, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

It was just a matter of time before Wade decided to move on to a bigger job. Not before he made his mark on McNeese, though, leading the Cowboys to an upset of Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The marriage could not have gone much better for Wade and McNeese, as Wade repaired his image while leading McNeese to two of its best seasons in program history. Wade had a terrific stint with LSU prior to McNeese, leading the Tigers to 105 victories in not quite five full seasons, including an SEC championship and Sweet 16 appearance in 2019. Between McNeese and LSU, he would have led his teams to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his last six seasons, as the Tigers would have made it in during the COVID season. I don’t doubt he’ll have the Wolfpack ready to go and compete for an ACC crown soon, especially if the league was as down as it was last season.

 

11. Randy Bennett, St. Mary’s (562-222, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Bennett has been a mainstay in college basketball for years and has put together one of the most consistently good programs in the country. He is coming off leading the Gaels to one of their best seasons ever, winning 29 games and the West Coast Conference regular season title. The 29 victories are the second-most in program history. Unfortunately for him and St. Mary’s, it didn’t translate to as much NCAA Tournament success as it hoped for, as the Gaels lost to Alabama in the second round of the Big Dance. That has been a theme for Bennett. With the exception of the COVID-shortened season, SMC has won at least 20 games every year since 2007-08, including at least 25 wins on 14 occasions in that time period. However, the Gaels have reached the Sweet 16 just once in that time—in 2009-10. He has been a remarkable regular season coach, but will he be a coach who can’t win the big one or finally make a run and make the trip to the Final Four after so many misses Matt Painter, Tony Bennett or Bo Ryan. When Bennett arrived in 2001, he inherited a program that went 2-27 and has turned it into one of top mid-major programs in the country. It will be interesting to see if he can finally make that run.

 

10. Mark Pope, Kentucky (211-120, three NCAA Tournament appearances, one Sweet 16)

Pope took the job at his alma mater and ran with it, guiding Kentucky to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season at the helm. After four 20-win seasons in five years, he led the Wildcats to 24 wins and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Sweet 16 berth was amazingly the first appearance in the second weekend for the Wildcats since 2019. I think he will eventually get his Wildcats to the Final Four, but if he doesn’t, it won’t be for a lack of resources since it is rumored that Kentucky will have an NIL budget of more than $20 million.

9. Greg Gard, Wisconsin (212-117, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s)

It was a terrific coaching job by Gard this season. Gone were leading scorer AJ Storr and long-time starters Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn. All Gard did was lead the Badgers to an even better season in 2024-25 behind All-American John Tonje, a guy who was originally transferring to New Mexico after getting injured and missing most of the previous season for Missouri. In addition to Tonje’s emergence, a group of Nolan Winter, John Blackwell, Carter Gilmore and Kamari McGee took major leaps under the new-and-improved offense, one that dropped 116 (!!!!) points in a 31-point beatdown of Iowa in January. However, the one monkey on his back is that he has not made the second weekend since 2017. This season, it was a two-point defeat at the hands of hot-shooting BYU. On paper, this looks like a better transfer group coming in, but it will be hard to replace three seniors, including Tonje, as well as most of the bench. But with his new offense, the arrow is pointed up for Gard and the Badgers.

 

8. Buzz Williams, Maryland (373-228, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16s, one Elite 8)

Buzz Williams spent five or six seasons in each of his last three stops: Marquette, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M. After six years with the Aggies and three NCAA Tournament appearances, he decided it was time to move on. With jobs in the Big East, ACC and SEC now complete, he chose to take a job in the Big Ten and is heading to Maryland. His Aggies recorded four consecutive seasons of at least 20 wins, but none of three NCAA Tournament teams made it past the first weekend. Before A&M, he had a strong season with Virginia Tech. With the Hokies, he led them to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1966-67 and nearly knocked off Duke. Before Virginia Tech, he averaged more than 23 wins per season with Marquette and made the Sweet 16 twice and an Elite 8. The former Mike McConathy assistant has a good program and will keep Maryland toward the top of the Big Ten for years to come.

 

7. Brad Underwood, Illinois (274-128, nine NCAA Tournament appearances, one Elite 8)

Underwood has been a consistently good coach, leading the Illinois to one of the best records in the Big Ten every single year, but he struggles to make the second weekend, much less the Final Four. He and Wisconsin’s Greg Gard are in a similar boat. This past year, his team was bounced in the second round by Kentucky in a friendly home environment in Milwaukee. In 2024, he advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time before being blasted by UConn. This past season, his team dealt with sickness and injuries. It will be interesting to see how the team bounces back this year. After an incredible run at Stephen F. Austin in which he led the Lumberjacks to an 89-14 record and an incredible 53-1 conference record, he led the Oklahoma State Cowboys to the tournament in 2017. It feels like just a matter of time for Underwood to break through, although I say it with a lot of the coaches on this list.

 

6. Eric Musselman, USC (238-111, six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s, two Elite 8s)

After a down year in his first season at USC and the Big Ten, Musselman moves down a bit, but he is still well inside the top 10. However, Musselman has two straight seasons with below .500 records and three straight with under .500 records during conference play. Still, he showed up during NCAA Tournament berth, as he led the Arkansas Razorbacks to three straight seasons in the second weekend post-COVID, including two Elite 8 appearances. Even at 22-14, he led his No. 9 seed Razorbacks to the Sweet 16. Before landing in Fayetteville, he turned around a Nevada program that posted just nine wins in the season prior to his arrival. In his first season there, he led Nevada to a 15-win increase in 2015-16 and a CBI championship. In his next three seasons, he led them to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a berth in the Sweet 16 in 2018.

 

5. Greg McDermott, Creighton (630-366, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s)

McDermott has turned Creighton into a true force. He has led the Blue Jays to at least 20 wins in all but one of his seasons in Omaha, including 25 in each of his past two seasons. In the five seasons since the COVID year, he has led the Blue Jays to an Elite 8 appearance and two berths in the Sweet 16. Last year, they were a No. 9 seed and dominated Louisville in the first round before giving Auburn all it could handle before falling. Ryan Kalkbrenner is gone, but Creighton will be back at it again. The future is bright for McDermott and he will continue to be in the upper echelon of the Big East.

 

4. Chris Mack, College of Charleston (302-142, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16s, one Elite 8)

Chris Mack is back for another season at the College of Charleston after leading the Cougars to a 24-9 record, trying to build on what Pat Kelsey built before taking the Louisville job last offseason. His two best years at Xavier, in 2015-16 and 2017-18, were spoiled before the second weekend by Wisconsin and Florida State, respectively. He hasn’t made the second weekend since 2017 and probably won’t at Charleston. Despite his failure at Louisville, Mack is a heck of a coach who will be back with a power program soon.

 

3. T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State (194-108, six NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s)

After a so-so tenure at UNLV, his stock has only gone up since coming to Iowa State. He has won 95 games in his first three seasons in Ames, including 25 this past year. Otzelberger has led ISU to the NCAA Tournament in all four years with two appearances in the Sweet 16. The Cyclones were a juggernaut once again this season before injuries hit them and dropped them to a No. 3 seed and falling in the second round. Starting 17-2, Iowa State was hit the injury bug before going 8-8 the rest of the season. If the Cyclones were healthy all year, they could have made it to the Final Four this past season, but I think TJ will make it eventually.

 

2. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona (112-33, four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16s)

All Tommy Lloyd has done with the Arizona Wildcats is win. He has not reached an Elite 8 like his predecessor at Arizona—and No. 1 on this list—Sean Miller did, but still, 112 wins in four years (28 per season) is impressive. After a sluggish start to the season, he rebounded the Wildcats to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a spot in the Sweet 16, not to mention a pair of conference regular season titles. He was looked at as a rising star in the coaching profession at Gonzaga and the possible heir apparent once Mark Few retired. There is still a lot of time before the start of the season, but Arizona looks to be in prime position to have another strong season. It just seems like it is a matter of time before he reaches the Final Four. I will say, though, I said that about Sean Miller a number of times, so we’ll see.

 

1. Sean Miller, Texas (487-196, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Sweet 16s, four Elite 8s)

It did not take long for Sean Miller to be back in a power conference. After three years at Xavier with a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, Miller was hired at Texas. He’ll have all the resources he needs to try to complete what he did at Arizona. Before being fired by Arizona, he was a monster there, going 302-109 in 12 seasons, winning at least 30 games four times. He led the Wildcats to the Elite 8 on four occasions. Arguably his two best teams ran into Frank Kaminsky in both 2014 and 2015. He has been so close before, leading his teams to nine trips to the second weekend and four to the Elite, but cannot make that final step. Sean Miller is too good of a coach to finish his career without a berth in the Final Four. He’ll step into a loaded conference, one in which boasts the national champion Florida Gators, so it will be interesting to see how her fares.

Final Packers mock draft

It is draft day, everybody! This is my final mock draft for the Green Bay Packers. Not only is it draft day, but the NFL draft is in Green Bay. I love draft day and I think the Packers could take advantage of the depth of this draft. A trade down in the first (if no one the Packers love is available) before trading up in the later rounds could be in the cards, but I didn’t do any trades in this mock. Without further ado, here we go:

 

1) Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

If there is one guy who I think could fall is Will Johnson.  Green Bayneeds at least one cornerback in the draft and maybe two. He has great ball skills, and when he does pick it off, he can do some things, as evidenced by his three career pick sixes. The Packers signed Nate Hobbs from Vegas and have him along with Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon, and for the moment, Jaire Alexander. Eric Stokes is gone to the Raiders and Corey Ballentine was signed by Indianapolis.

The Packers need a front-line starter, as Valentine and Nixon are solid, but unspectacular at the position. Jeff Hafley wants turnovers and having Johnson in the secondary would help that. If he were the pick, Johnson and Nixon would man the outside with Hobbs and Javon Bullard helping in the slot.

 

2) JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

The Packers improved many different positions during the free agency, but one position they did not address was the pass rush and the Green & Gold needs to address that since while the sack numbers weren’t terrible, Green Bay took advantage of a few terrible offensive lines to record most of them. Rashan Gary needs to produce more like his contract suggests, while it is a big season upcoming for Lukas Van Ness since he needs to take a big leap in the second season in Jeff Hafley’s defense. Green Bay needs another pass rusher to help out Gary and create a strong rotation.

After relatively modest sack numbers in his first three years, Tuimoloau brought down opposing quarterbacks 12.5 times and had 21.5 tackles for loss to finish fifth and third in the country, respectively. His biggest game came in 2022 in a top-15 matchup at Penn State with two interceptions—including one for a touchdown, two sacks, a forced fumble in which he recovered and a tipped pass in which his teammate came down with for a pick. Not a bad day.

 

3) Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State

The Packers will absolutely take advantage of this talented defensive tackle class. He has a lot of upside but still is very raw. Green Bay does love its Senior Bowl guys and he does fit the bill. Green Bay has a bunch of decent players at the position, as Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks all have their moments, but they need a stud at the position, not to mention this very easily could be Clark’s last season in Titletown as his play isn’t worth his hefty contract. I am not sure if he would come in and play immediately a lot, but the Packers hope he hits his ceiling.

4) Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

The Packers have done a lot of homework on wide receivers in this year’s draft. Horton is a fast receiver who was a productive player at Nevada before ending up with Colorado State. In 2023, he posted 1,136 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In 2024, he had 353 receiving yards before missing the second half of the season with an injury. The Packers need more help at wide receiver after last year and Christian Watson will miss most of the year with a torn ACL, which he suffered in week 18 against Chicago.

 

5) Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech

The Packers love taking offensive linemen in the draft. As of right now, the starting five will be Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan (or Sean Rhyan) and Zach Tom. However, Jenkins has a huge cap number next season and both Tom and Walker are up for extensions. The Packers are always a team that looks to the future and what problems could arise the following season.

With both tackles in need of an extension, the Packers could look to take one—or put Morgan out at left tackle in 2026—and draft more interior linemen. He could be a good guard or tackle in the NFL, which is what Green Bay likes. He might take a year to develop, which could be perfect for Green Bay. The Packers love traits and Rogers has terrific explosion and agility traits to work with.

 

6) Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane

After revamping the safety room last year, Green Bay could do the same at cornerback this year. Jaire is likely gone and Stokes is already gone. With Johnson earlier, as well as Hobbs, Valentine and Nixon, Green Bay has a chance to really turn itself into a great secondary. Another high RAS (Relative Athletic Score) player who has a chance to excel in Jeff Hafley’s defense.

 

7) Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College

The Packers take another defensive tackle, taking advantage of the strong defensive tackle class. After losing TJ Slaton in free agency, Horsley fills the void of a run defender, which the Packers desperately need since. While they weren’t terrible against run defense, they need to improve still.

 

7) Esa Pole, OT, Washington State

Pole is another traits-based offensive lineman the Packers would love. They brought him in on a top 30 visit, which means something based on recent history. The Packers like to take offensive linemen on day three and many turn into solid players.

Final mock draft

 

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

6) Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

7) New York Jets: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

8) Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

9) New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

10) Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

11) San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

12) Dallas Cowboys: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

13) Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

15) Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

16) Arizona Cardinals: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

22) Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

23) Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

24) Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

25) Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

26) Los Angeles Rams: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

27) Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

28) Detroit Lions: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

29) Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

30) Buffalo Bills: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

NFL Mock Draft

 

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

2) Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

3) New York Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

7) New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

9) New Orleans Saints: Shadeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

10) Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

11) San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

12) Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

13) Miami Dolphins: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

14) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

15) Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

18) Seattle Seahawks: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

20) Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

22) Los Angeles Chargers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

23) Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

24) Minnesota Vikings: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

25) Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

26) Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

27) Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

28) Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

29) Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

30) Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Post-FA Packers Mock

 

We are done with the first wave of free agency and the Green Bay Packers have made two big splashes, signing Nate Hobbs from the Las Vegas Raiders and Aaron Banks from the San Francisco 49ers, a cornerback and guard, respectively. The Packers have let a majority of their free agents go and while most are not impact starters, they did provide good depth. Green Bay did re-sign Isaiah McDuffie and Brandon McManus, though.

 

1.        Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

While the Packers signed a cornerback and guard this free agent cycle, one position the Team did not address was the EDGE. Green Bay needs to address it, as Rashan Gary needs to produce more like his contract suggests, while it is a big season upcoming for Lukas Van Ness since he needs to take a big leap in the second season in Jeff Hafley’s defense. Green Bay needs another pass rusher to help out Gary and create a strong rotation. There were many games the pass rush looked outstanding, but in many others, they could not get to the opposing quarterback.

Mike Green was a second team All-American and Sun Belt DPOY, leading the country with 17 sacks and second in TFL with 22.5. He is an explosive athlete and would have a chance to contribute immediately.

 

2.        Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

I had the Packers taking Revel in the first mock in the first round. He may go a bit before the Packers pick in the second round, but I will keep him here. Green Bay needs at least one cornerback in the draft and maybe two. The Packers signed Nate Hobbs from Vegas and have him along with Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon, and for the moment, Jaire Alexander. Jaire hasn’t been cut yet, which is surprising, to be honest. Maybe the Packers think they can get something of value for him in a trade. Eric Stokes is gone to the Raiders and Corey Ballentine was signed by Indianapolis.

The Packers need a front-line starter, as Valentine and Nixon are good 3-4 cornerbacks at the moment, but a CB1 is needed. Revel has good athleticism and great size at 6-3. One thing going against him is that he tore his ACL in September. While he should be fully ready for camp, it will be interesting to see how quickly it takes for him to feel back to full strength.

 

3.        Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

Even with the signing of Aaron Banks, the Packers depth was a bit tested, not to mention we all saw what happened when the Packers were banged up along the offensive line during last season’s playoffs. As of right now, the starting five will be Rasheed Walker, Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan (or Sean Rhyan) and Zach Tom. However, Jenkins is due a massive deal next season and both Tom and Walker are up for extensions. The Packers are always a team that looks to the future and what problems could arise the following season.

With both tackles in need of an extension, the Packers could look to take one—or put Morgan out at left tackle in 2026—and draft more interior linemen. He could be a good guard or tackle in the NFL, which is what Green Bay likes, as well as his wrestling background, as Kenny Clark was a high school wrestler as well. He might take a year to develop, which could be perfect for Green Bay.

 

4.        Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

The defensive tackle group in this draft might be the best group in the entire draft. Much like the Packers with tight ends two years ago, I could see them going multiple defensive tackles in the first two days to capitalize on that strong position group. Green Bay has a bunch of decent players at the position, as Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks all have their moments, but they need a stud at the position, not to mention this very easily could be Clark’s last season in Titletown as his play isn’t worth his hefty contract.

Hamilton is a good run defender and with T.J. Slaton gone via free agency, a run stuffer is needed. He is a strong and quick defensive tackle and has the potential to be a good pick at this spot for the Packers.

 

5.        LaQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse

Another position that is one of the best in the draft is running back. Even with drafting Marshawn Lloyd in last year's draft, I expect another one to be picked this time around as well. The Packers still really like Emanuel Wilson and I could easily see them keep four running backs. Allen is still just 20 years old and doesn’t turn 21 until August, so there is room to grow. He is a solid receiver out of the back field, leading all FBS running backs with 64 receptions, turning those catches into 521 yards and four touchdowns. He also has the ability to cover kicks and return punts, both of which Green Bay is looking for.

 

6.        Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M

The Packers love to take their offensive linemen and develop them. He is a mountain of a man, standing 6-foot-7, but is super athletic, as evidenced by his 9.44 RAS score. He has been a left tackle, but despite his age, will need a year to develop. There are not many better spots to land and develop than Green Bay, as the projected two starting offensive tackles for the Packers were day three selections. That includes projected starting left tackle Rasheed Walker, who was a seventh-round selection.

 

7.        Zeek Biggers, DT. Georgia Tech

Green Bay should want to capitalize on the strength of this defensive tackle class. After drafting Hamilton in the fourth round, the Packers go back to defensive tackle. With Slaton gone and Kenny Clark getting up there in age, Green Bay needs to replenish the defensive tackle room. His RAS of 9.80 will be intriguing. He was honorable mention All-ACC in each of his final two seasons at Georgia Tech. Hamilton had 3.5 tackles for loss last season and was one of the nation’s best at blocking kicks, recording two.

Green Bay Packers Mock Draft

 

We are closing in on the conclusion of the regular season, and I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the Packers potential draft needs with my first in-season 2025 mock draft. The Packers have already improved upon their 2023 record with 11 victories so far, compared to last year’s nine.

 

1.        Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

The Packers have a huge hole at cornerback. Keisean Nixon has played a lot better recently and Carrington Valentine has had a real nice sophomore campaign. However, Jaire Alexander’s body is failing him and Eric Stokes is a free agent. Alexander has missed most of the season once again and no one knows when he’ll be back. Packers can’t have their highly-paid top corner hardly ever pay. I have no idea if they’ll let him go or not. Stokes, on the other hand, has been pretty disappointing. He has played better recently, but I don’t know if that will be enough to bring him back. If they move on from both Alexander and Stokes, corner goes from a big need to a dire need. Revel has good athleticism and great size at 6-3. One thing going against him is that he tore his ACL in September. While he should be fully ready for camp, it will be interesting to see how quickly it takes for him to feel back to full strength.

 

2.        J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

You can never have enough edge rushers. For much of the year, the Packers were not able to heat up opposing quarterbacks, but recently, the rushers have started to get it going. Next season, the Packers hope to have Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness starting. Green Bay would like to have another fierce pass rusher off the bench with Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox. Tuimoloau has improved each season with this year being an 8-sack campaign. He hasn’t necessarily lived up to his massive hype coming out of high school, but he has a lot of talent and Jeff Hafley could bring out the best in him. It is well worth the selection.

 

3.        Patrick Jenkins, DT, Tulane

The defensive tackle group has improved quite a bit this season, especially with the emergence of Devonte Wyatt. However, the Packers could always use more depth, especially since T.J. Slaton is a free agent. Also, while Kenny Clark just received a contract extension, he might only have a few great years left in him and the Packers would benefit to try to find a long-term replacement should his production drop off significantly in 2025. Jenkins is a 3x All-AAC selection and is an integral part of that defense and could step in and make an impact from day one.

 

4.        Gus Hartwig, C, Purdue

It will be interesting to see what the Packers do at center next season if Josh Myers leaves via free agency. One could be Jacob Monk or a rookie. They really like Zach Tom if he were the center, but they will likely keep him at right tackle. Another thing would be moving Elgton Jenkins to center since he was a center at Mississippi Stare and then put 2024 first round pick Jordan Morgan at guard and have an offensive line of Rasheed Walker/Morgan/Jenkins/Sean Rhyan/Tom. Regardless, expect the Packers to take an offensive lineman or two.

 

5.        Ricardo Hallman, CB, Wisconsin

Even though I have the Packers taking a cornerback to begin the draft, it really would not surprise me to see the Green & Gold select multiple cornerbacks. The one bad thing is that the Packers struggle mightily at taking impact corners early (see: Josh Jackson and Eric Stokes, to name a few). Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon are mainstays, but I don’t know how you can count on Jaire Alexander and Stokes is a free agent. Hallman didn’t have as good of a season last year for the Badgers, but Wisconsin’s pass rush was not good, to say the least, which affected the secondary. However, he was an All-American in 2023, and has a chance to be a good pick at this spot.

 

6.        Ashton Grable, OL, Florida A&M

Another thing the Packers love is versatile linemen. He moved to right guard this season and played well. He has things the Packers would like and be able to work with. The Packers love to take offensive linemen on the third day of the draft and have been wildly successful doing so. Another thing the Packers love is versatile linemen. He moved to right guard this season and played well. He has things the Packers would like and be able to work with.

 

7.        Caleb Etienne, OT, BYU

I have them bringing in another offensive lineman for the Packers. The line has been pretty good, for the most part, but the Packers need to keep replenishing the offensive line with hopes to make it dominant. He has developmental traits the Packers could like working with.