With the draft just a day away, it’s time to plant a flag.
After weeks of combing through mock drafts, tracking top-30 visits, and listening closely to everything Brian Gutekunsthas said this offseason, there’s a clearer picture forming of how Green Bay might approach this draft. It won’t be predictable—but there are patterns worth betting on.
Let’s walk through it.
Round 2, Pick 52
Gutekunst didn’t mince words in his pre-draft presser—he wants to “add numbers” to the cornerback room. And this class gives him that opportunity. It’s deep, athletic, and full of options.
But here’s the thing: the Packers don’t typically settle. They target traits—and they go get their guy.
Chris Johnson Jr. has been heavily linked to Green Bay, but it feels like a long shot he even makes it within range. If the Packers want him, it likely costs a move into the late 30s or early 40s. That’s aggressive… maybe too aggressive.
Instead, watch for a pivot.
With some cornerbacks sliding and not quite fitting Green Bay’s prototype, I think the Packers shift focus and move up for a defensive lineman they truly value. My pick: Lee Hunter out of Texas Tech. He fits the mold, fills a need, and feels like a Gutekunst-type move.
Round 3, Pick 84
The third round under Gutekunst has been… unpredictable.
You get hits like Tucker Kraft, but also some head-scratchers and players who haven’t seen the field yet. It’s a high-variance round, and that makes this pick interesting.
This feels like a fork in the road: wide receiver or cornerback.
Wide reciever Ted Hurst visited and could help offset the loss of Romeo Doubs, while Will Lee III also had a visit and checks a lot of the Packers’ boxes at corner. After addressing the defensive line in Round 2, I think they double down on defense.
Will Lee III feels like the pick here.
Round 4, Pick 120
This is where things usually get weird—and valuable.
None of the known top-30 visits really line up with this range, which opens the door for a true “best player available” scenario.
Tight end is worth monitoring. Luke Musgrave is in a contract year, and while Tucker Kraft feels like a long-term piece, Musgrave’s future is less certain. Names like Oscar Delp or Justin Joly could be in play—but this draft is deep enough at the position that Green Bay can afford to wait.
Instead, I’m looking at wide receiver.
If De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) is on the board, it makes too much sense. He’s a physical, possession-type receiver—something this current WR room is missing after offseason departures. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, and that matters.
Round 5, Picks 153 & 160
This is where the board really flattens out.
The difference between the 100th-ranked player and the 175th isn’t as wide as people think. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these picks gets packaged to move up earlier.
But if they stay put? Watch for something unexpected.
There’s been chatter all week about a “secret quarterback visit.” That’s not noise—it’s smoke with some fire behind it.
My guess: Taylen Green (Arkansas).
At 6’6”, 230 pounds, with elite testing numbers (44” vertical, 4.36 speed), he’s exactly the kind of high-upside project Green Bay has historically developed well. With Malik Willis gone, there’s room for another developmental QB in the pipeline.
Round 6, Pick 201
This is my wildcard—and maybe my favorite fit.
New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has consistently leaned on smaller, versatile linebackers who can move all over the field. That trend shows up everywhere he’s coached.
Enter Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU).
He’s not your traditional linebacker. He’s a chess piece—edge, off-ball, even some slot work. Immediate special teams value with long-term upside as a rotational defender. If Green Bay wants versatility, this is it.
Round 7, Picks 236 & 255
This is where you throw darts—but smart darts.
Cornerback depth is still a priority. Gutekunst said it himself. Late-round DBs who can contribute on special teams while developing behind veterans make a lot of sense—especially with multiple corners hitting free agency in 2027.
Offensive line is the other need.
After last season’s injuries, it’s clear: you can’t have enough depth up front. Ideally, you find someone versatile—tackle/guard flexibility is a huge plus.
A name to watch: Ethan Onianwa (Ohio State).
He’s massive (6’7”, 330), experienced at both tackle spots, and fits the Packers’ preference for size and versatility. If healthy, he’s the kind of developmental lineman that can quietly turn into something.
Final Thought
If there’s one theme to watch, it’s this: intentional aggression.
Despite stating he “hopes to stay patient”, Gutekunst won’t just sit back and let the board fall. If there’s a player he believes in, he’ll go get him. And in a draft class where depth blurs the lines between tiers, that approach could define the Packers’ weekend.
Don’t expect safe. Expect calculated swings.
