With the NFL draft only a week away, fans of each team begin to create lists of players they want their team to pursue or avoid. Fans of the Green Bay Packers often react with disappointment (as with the selection of Jordan Love in 2020) or occasionally with excitement (as with the selection of Matthew Golden), even though they may be cheering or booing that player sooner or later. Although the excitement of a first round pick has been replaced for gratitude for Micah Parsons, here are a few possibilities for the Packers pick #52 and how fans will likely react.
The Exciting
- Christen Miller – Defensive Tackle, Georgia: If Miller on the board when the Packers pick #52, he can start packing before he even gets called. He is a perfect fit for the team as he is a top athlete, played defense for Georgia, would fill a big need (pun intended) as Green Bay’s nose tackle, and was a top 30 visit.
As far as plugging holes on the Packers roster, they would have a hard time doing better than Miller. He hits hard, is hard to move, and has excellent eyes for seeing where a run play will go. Although he shows more athleticism than other players at his position, he doesn’t project to be a pass rusher, but this is unlikely to be a problem when he shares a line with fellow Bulldog, Devonte Wyatt and Micah Parsons.
- Lee Hunter – Defensive Tackle, Texas Tech: Like Miller, Hunter is an exciting choice for the Packers to come in and plug a hole (pun intended) for a run-stopping defensive lineman. He fits the mold for a nose tackle and has shown aptitude for the position during his time as a Raider, leading to a formal Combine visit with the Packers.
Hunter is less likely to be selected than Miller if both are available at Packers pick #52, due to his limited athleticism. His ability as a pass rusher is similarly limited due to not having the juice to win fast against offensive lineman. Nevertheless, Hunter projects to do a good job in his role as a rookie and beyond.
- Gennings Dunker – Offensive Lineman, Iowa: Given his midwestern roots, mullet, and mustache, Dunker has become a fan favorite in the state of Wisconsin. Additionally, his athletic profile as a potential offensive lineman with versatility earned him a top 30 visit in Green Bay.
Dunker fits the exact mold of a typical Green Bay offensive lineman as he is agile, stout, and played for a Big-10 school. Although his pass protection needs refinement, he shows enough on tape to come in and compete for a spot almost anywhere on the offensive line. Offensive line isn’t one of the Packers most needed positions, but it would be totally out of character for them to completely neglect the position in any draft.
The Disappointing
- Brandon Cisse – Cornerback, South Carolina: Although the Packers have not drafted a cornerback ahead of day 3 since Eric Stokes in 2021, Packers fans should not be surprised if Cisse is the Packers pick #52. Cornerback is a position of need and he has the athletic profile that gets attention from Brian Gutekunst, as it did with a formal visit at the NFL Combine.
However, there are some concerning pieces to Cisse’s game. He has a limited number of snaps at the position, and draft scouts note that he lacks polish in his technique at the position. If taken, he may quickly be compared to a similarly green rookie in Lukas Van Ness, who has yet to live up to his top 15 draft pick. Nevertheless, he may be able to develop into a good to excellent player under Jonathan Gannon
- Jake Golday – Linebacker, Cincinnati: Taking a linebacker with their first pick in the 2026 draft is sure to disappoint most Packers fans. The only vacancy at linebacker created with the departure of Quay Walker was immediately filled by Zaire Franklin, making the possibility of spending a top pick at the position questionable.
Although his position is not a draft need for the Packers, Golday does have enticing characteristics. Although he is the size of a typical Sam linebacker, he has the speed and intelligence to cover like a Will linebacker. If drafted, he would be able to challenge Isaiah McDuffie at Sam immediately and possibly grow to take over Franklin’s job at Mike.
The Confusing
- Chris Brazzell II – Wide Receiver, Tennessee: While taking a wide receiver with the first pick in the draft would likely be celebrated by Packers fans, it would likely cause confusion as well. Although wide receiver is a need with the departure of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers pick #52 might feel too early for any wide receiver.
Brazzell has definitely earned his draft stock of being a potential round 2 pick, if not earlier, as well as being a top 30 visit to Green Bay. He is tall, fast, and was quite productive in his last season as a Volunteer. Few defenses in the league would be able to cap the speed of a wide receiver room that added Brazzell to the present speed of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
- A.J. Haulcy – Safety, LSU: Like Brazzell, Haulcy’s position would make him a head-scratching and potentially disappointing Packers pick #52. With Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard all being under contract for 2026 and playing well, the Packers don’t need a safety net at safety.
As a player, Haulcy would bring some welcome violence to the middle of the Packers defense. He runs down players quickly and hits them hard when he gets there, whether they are running backs or wide receivers. He also has good ball skills and his hard hitting leads to forced fumbles. However, as stated above, the Packers already have a strong safety room and it is hard to see them prioritizing the position.
