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Green Bay Packers 2026 Draft Class: Rookie Impact
Jul 6, 2026Ryan McCrystalSharp Football Analysis
Getting things ready
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Player mentions
Anders Carlson
K · #general
...is as well as anyone, as they’re only three years removed from whiffing on Anders Carlson. However, Smack does have a big leg 一 he made 10 of 13 kicks from 50 or mo...
Will Reichard
K · MIN · #general
...asted at least three seasons only twice: Evan McPherson of the Bengals and Will Reichard, assuming he makes the Vikings roster this year. Green Bay should know thi...
Trey Smack
K · GB · #traderumor
...prospect with Burton’s versatility the ideal fit. The Packers made Trey Smack (sixth round) the only kicker drafted, as most other teams have accepted t...
Evan McPherson
K · CIN · #general
...e first kicker off the board has lasted at least three seasons only twice: Evan McPherson of the Bengals and Will Reichard, assuming he makes the Vikings roster thi...
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The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview . In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview . Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026? Let's look at the Green Bay Packers, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field. Green Bay Packers 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact? The Packers were without a first-round pick due to the Micah Parsons trade, but they still landed a first-round caliber talent in Brandon Cisse (second round). Cisse is still developing his awareness in coverage, but his lack of refined anticipation skills is understandable given his age (20 years old on draft day) and lack of experience (21 career starts). Despite some mistakes, Cisse’s overall production at NC State and South Carolina was impressive and shows his high ceiling. Based on route-adjusted numbers during his two years as a starter, Cisse allowed a catch rate 28% below expected and generated a ball-hawk rate 45% above expected. Cisse will compete with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine for a starting job immediately and will earn that job by 2027 at the latest, as both veterans are in contract years. Joining Cisse in the secondary will be Domani Jackson (sixth round), who has impressive athletic traits but never developed into a reliable starter at USC and Alabama. During his senior year, Jackson allowed a route-adjusted catch rate 14% above expected and was briefly benched during the middle of the season. There’s a decent chance Jackson fails to make the roster, but the sixth round is an appropriate spot to gamble on traits. Chris McClellan (third round) has the prototypical length and strength to play defensive end in Green Bay’s three-man front alignments, which coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s Cardinals used 58% of the time last season. McClellan lacks the athleticism to be a disruptive pass rusher, but he can win with strength in one-on-one matchups and will be able to handle double teams when they come his way. Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks are both in their final contract years, so if McClellan isn’t starting by the end of this year, he should have a job locked down in 2027. Dani Dennis-Sutton (fourth round) is an explosive pass rusher who generated an impressive 18.1% pressure rate when lined up on the edge last season. Dennis-Sutton will have a chance to compete with Lukas Van Ness for playing time, and has a good chance to see some action on passing downs as a rookie. While Van Ness’ strength suits him well on early downs against the run, Green Bay’s pass rush needs to be more explosive, which is exactly what Dennis-Sutton brings to the table. Jager Burton (fifth round) spent five years at Kentucky, making at least nine starts at left guard, right guard, and center. Green Bay's entire starting offensive line is under contract for at least two more years, so the Packers didn’t need anyone to push for immediate playing time, making a prospect with Burton’s versatility the ideal fit. The Packers made Trey Smack (sixth round) the only kicker drafted, as most other teams have accepted the fact that trying t…