The Packers will be sitting out Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean they are out of the running when it comes to top tier talent to fill their roster.
I ran my first mock draft, and while it was a little anti climactic making 2 selections in the first 3 rounds, the talent that could fall is still elite.
If South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse falls to Gutey on the big board like he has to me on several repeated attempts after the mock above, the Packers need to pounce.
Here’s a closer look at Brandon Cisse and why he would be a great addition to the green and gold.
Packers Love A Diamond In The Rough
Brandon Cisse started his journey to the NFL at Lakewood High School in Sumter, SC. Even in high school he showed versatility playing both defensive back and wide receiver. His presence was so dominant that he often stayed on the field for every snap of the game. Outside of football Cisse also played varsity volleyball, while also playing basketball and running track.
On the football field, Cisse made a name for himself as a two-way standout who flashed length, recovery speed, and ball skills while often being asked to shadow the opposing team’s top receiver. He put together an incredible senior season, tallying 37 tackles, 1 interception, 13 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries on defense. While on offense he racked up 42 catches for 764 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was also a major special teams player with big contributions as a returner.
Click the link below for some highlights from that senior year.
Lakewood High School – Brandon Cisse Senior Year Highlights
It’s his versatility that earned him late attention from college programs, and he ultimately bet on himself by choosing a developmental path where he could see the field early and refine his technique. That decision proved pivotal, as it gave him the reps needed to evolve from a raw athlete into a polished defensive back.
College Years
Brandon committed to NC State to start his college football career. In an article for 247 Sports Cisse stated:
“Them being the first Power Five program to offer was definitely a big deal to me.”
Not for nothing, but at that point Brandon had at least 20 offers on the table from different college programs as a 3 star recruit via ESPN.
Brandon appeared in all 13 games his true freshman year. Featured mostly in dime packages and special teams, Cisse tallied 10 tackles and 1 interception that sealed a victory over Miami. As a sophmore Cisse saw his role increase and tallied 28 total tackles with 1 tackle for a loss and 5 pass break ups (PBUs).
Switching From North To South
Cisse transferred to South Carolina his junior year and would go on to put on an absolute clinic in 2025. He showed elite speed and football IQ while continuing to improve as he got more reps. With the SC Gamecocks last year, he started all 12 games tallying 27 tackles (19 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hurries, 5 PBUs, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.
Outside of the numbers he just has that ball hawk dog mentality with the closing speed and football IQ to capitalize on his opportunities. Check out the highlight video below and watch not only his lockdown outside capabilities, but also just a savage physicality with tackling.
The Packers Could Solidify Their Secondary
I am still haunted by the passing up of Cooper DeJean a couple years back, however we will see if that bet pays off this season with Jordan Morgan stepping into the starting LT role. The Packers have an opportunity to bring in a lockdown corner, very reminiscent of Jaire Alexander in Brandon Cisse.
If the Green Bay Packers are serious about reshaping their secondary around versatility and pattern-matching instincts, Cisse is a no brainer. Not to mention the reputation that South Carolina has with producing high caliber cornerbacks including Stephon Gilmore and Jaycee Horn.
Brandon would also excel in the heavily rumored 3-4 base defense Gannon is set to deliver in 2026.
Historically, Gannon’s quarters-heavy structure system asks corners to process route combinations quickly, pass off verticals, and trigger downhill with confidence. All traits that Cisse has flashed consistently with his fluid motion, route anticipation, and willingness to tackle in space. Should he fall to Gutey’s board, and the Packers snatch him up, don’t be surprised if Cisse forces his way up the depth chart faster than expected.
What separates Brandon Cisse from Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine is how naturally his skill set aligns with a quarters-heavy system. Cisse shows cleaner route recognition and spacing awareness, allowing him to anticipate and pass off concepts rather than react late.
This puts him lightyears ahead of Nixon, who has struggled outside of his return-specialist explosiveness. While physical, Nixon just doesn’t have the ability to go step for step with NFL wideouts.
When compared to Valentine, who competes well but can be grabby and inconsistent at the catch point, Cisse plays with more controlled technique and better timing on the ball. The result is a corner who not only limits separation but turns coverage into takeaways, giving him a clearer path to becoming a true every-down difference-maker. In Cisse, Green Bay would get a true boundary chess piece who can erase mistakes and create turnovers in a scheme designed to let smart, instinctive corners thrive.
Check out his scouting profile below via NFL.com
Brandon Cisse South Carolina Prospect Info
Hear From The Man Himself
Pairing Cisse with St-Juste while bringing in Valentine as rotational, and Nixon in as a Nickel blitzer, would make for an amazing secondary beneath Evan Williams, Xavier McKinney, and Javon Bullard.
Lastly, I will leave it to Brandon himself to showcase not only his humble demeanor but his determination to learn and continue to grow his game.
