The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded. General manager Brian Gutekunst drafted his smallest class yet with just six players, the smallest draft class from Green Bay since 2004. The Packers have since signed 11 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback: Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
The Packers hosted Kryon Drones for a top 30 visit. Given the history of Green Bay and top 30 visits, it is no surprise that Drones ended up with the Packers. During this visit, the Packers even compared Drones to former backup quarterback Malik Willis.
“They talked about how Malik progressed and his work ethic. So, I’m just going in there with that mindset, just to keep getting better, do the best with your team and whatever they want me to do”, stated Drones.
Analysis:
Standing at just under 6’2 and weighing 233 pounds, Drones has the build similar to that of former Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis.
Drones spent three years at Virginia Tech. During those three seasons Drones threw for 5,566 yards, 44 touchdowns and completed 58.3% of his passes. On the ground, the former Hokie ran for 1,798 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Team Fit:
Drones is the ideal backup quarterback Green Bay is looking for. With a skillset similar to Malik Willis, Drones is the perfect candidate for the Packers to try and replicate what they did with Willis. Another quarterback to put through Green Bay’s bootcamp.
Running Back: Jaden Nixon, Central Florida
Jaden Nixon began his college career at Oklahoma State University. After struggling to find the playing time for three years, Nixon transferred to Western Michigan University where he had his best season. He then spent his last year of college football at Central Florida.
Analysis:
Nixon rushed for 1,973 yards in his college career and totaled 21 touchdowns. Despite the limited opportunities, Nixon finished his college career averaging 6.1 yards per carry. In his most recent season at UCF he ran the ball 71 times for 554 yards, that’s 7.8 yards per carry.
Those 7.8 yards per carry put him at third in the nation among all running backs with at least 70 carries. Nixon measured at 5’9 and 199 pounds. He was also fairly active in the pass game as he grabbed 61 passes over his career for 480 yards and four touchdowns.
Team Fit:
Despite some speculation that Green Bay may grab a running back during the draft, the Packers did not select a running back with any of their picks. This left an opening for Jaden Nixon to join the squad as an UDFA.
Additionally, Nixon has a history as a kick returner. Nixon averaged 22.8 yards per return and even took one to the house this past season at UCF. Overall, Nixon is a bit undersized, and his RAS (relative athletic score) was not overly great.
With the uncertainty surrounding Marshawn Lloyd, the running back selected by Green Bay in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft, and the recent departure of Emanuel Wilson, Nixon may find himself in the mix at running back at some point.
Wide Receiver: J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
J. Michael Sturdivant started his college career at Cal. He spent the next two seasons at UCLA and his final season of college football at Florida.
Analysis:
Sturdivant had his best season during his freshman year at Cal, earning 755 yards on 65 receptions and scoring 7 touchdowns. During his seasons at UCLA and Florida his production declined.
In his college career he caught 150 passes for 2,073 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. At 6’2 and 207 pounds, Sturdivant ran his 40 time in 4.40. He also earned a 9.96 RAS.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein labeled Sturdivant as a potential 5th-6th round pick, but the Packers managed to land him as an UDFA.
Team Fit:
The Packers did not draft a wide receiver. With the departure of Romeo Doubs during free agency, and the trade that sent Dontayvion Wicks to Philadelphia, Sturdivant may find himself as the WR5/6 option.
Not only does Sturdivant possess the build to be an athletic wide receiver for Green Bay, but he also understands the importance of not being one dimensional.
Sturdivant had this to say following his time at the East-West Shrine Bowl, “I went to the East-West Shrine Bowl with the intention of winning short, intermediate, and long routes, to win on the inside [as a slot] and on the outside as well. I wanted to block in the run game as well and play on special teams too.”
This is exactly the kind of wide receiver the Packers look for.
Tight End: RJ Maryland, SMU
RJ Maryland spent his four college years at SMU. Maryland’s father is Russel Maryland, who played in the NFL for 10 seasons as a DT and won three Super Bowls.
Analysis:
In his four seasons at SMU, Maryland caught 113 passes for 1,495 yards and 19 touchdowns. Those 1,495 yards were the most by any tight end in SMU program history. Maryland ran his 40 time in 4.51 seconds.
Team Fit:
Maryland lacks the size of the typical blocking tight end found on the Packers as he weighs in at 236 pounds. Tucker Kraft (258 pounds) and Luke Musgrave (249 pounds) are more of Green Bay’s mold.
Despite the lack in size, RJ Maryland’s 40 time makes him a potential suitor for more downfield action.
Tight End: Eni Falayi, Wake Forest
Eni Falayi spent the first two seasons of his college career at UMass. After seeing very little playing time, Falayi transferred to Utah Tech where he had his best season of his college career. His final season was spent at Wake Forest.
Analysis
Falayi had his best season at Utah Tech where he caught 30 passes for 408 yards and five touchdowns. His most recent season at Wake Forest he caught 21 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
Team Fit:
Falayi fits more of the build that Brian Gutekunst wanted to target this time around. Gutekunst stated “If there was one thing coming out of this draft, it would have been nice to add a Y-tight end kind of body…”.
Falayi has some deep competition up against him in the TE room, and it will prove difficult for him to make the squad as a true TE, but he will likely be useful on special teams if needed.
Guard: Dillon Wade, Auburn
Dillon Wade started his college career at Tulsa. After two seasons at Tulsa, Wade transferred to Auburn.
Analysis:
Wade played left tackle, left guard and even spent a short amount of time at right tackle during his college career. During his senior year, he spent his time at left guard and allowed just one sack.
He was extremely durable and started in 49 of his college career games. He has good speed for his size as he ran the 40 in 5.02 seconds, but his arms are on the shorter side.
Team Fit:
Wade scored a 9.26 RAS. With his strong RAS and his versatility, he makes a great fit for the Packers and will likely establish himself as a reliable backup option.
Guard: Josh Gesky, Illinois
Josh Gesky spent his college career with the Fighting Illini. The Packers hosted Gesky on a top 30 visit prior to the draft.
Analysis:
Gesky stands at 6’5 and weighs 308 pounds. Even at 308 pounds, Gesky managed to post a 5.03 40 time. While at Illinois, Gesky played the majority of his snaps at left guard. In his most recent season, he allowed one sack. Gesky earned a 9.63 RAS.
Team Fit:
Josh Gesky earned a lot of playing time in his college career at Illinois. Between his experience and his size, he offers Green Bay more insurance as a possible backup option at guard.
Guard: Dylan Barrett, Iowa State
Dylan Barrett started his college career at Wisconsin. Upon getting limited playing time he then transferred to Iowa State.
Analysis:
Barrett started at guard for the Cyclones. He was a starter in eight games in each of his last two seasons. Additionally, he allowed one sack each of those seasons. Measuring at 6’4 and 326 pounds, Barrett ran his 40 in 5.39 seconds.
Team Fit:
Barrett does not have as much experience in comparison to the other UDFA guards who signed with Green Bay. Even so, Green Bay lacks depth on the offensive line. Barrett will likely find himself competing for a backup spot.
Edge: Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
Green Bay held Nyjalik Kelly for a top 30 visit. Kelly began his college career with the Miami Hurricanes before spending his final two seasons with UCF.
Analysis:
Kelly was awarded Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference in his two seasons at UCF. In 2024, he led the team with 5.5 sacks and was tied for team lead with 9.5 tackles for loss (TFL). In his final season at UCF, he totaled 7.5 TFL, three sacks and an interception.
Kelly was measured at 6’5 and 256 pounds. He has the appropriate build. Additionally, Kelly possesses some of the longer arms of the draft class measuring at 35 1/8-inch.
Team Fit:
Kelly’s physical traits are what gravitated the Packers to him. Not only that, but Kelly had this to say at his pro day “… I can play outside linebacker, defensive end, and sometimes move at four. That’s what I’m most proud of. I can basically be put anywhere on the line and make plays.”
Once again, another versatile piece in Green Bay. Kelly’s ability to be a plug-and-play type of player gives him a better chance of making the squad. Everyone knows how much Brian Gutekunst values versatility.
Linebacker: TJ Quinn, Louisville
TJ Quinn was another played held for a top 30 visit by Green Bay. Quinn started and finished his college career with Louisville.
Analysis:
Quinn’s 2025 season was his best. He totaled a career high in tackles with 95, 45 solo tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. Quinn is a bit on the smaller size, standing at 6’1 and weighing 235 pounds. Quinn ran his 40 in 4.52 seconds.
Team Fit:
The linebacker room is pretty crowded. Between veterans Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper and the new addition of Zaire Franklin, Quinn will have the odds stacked against him.
Despite the crowded room, Quinn’s speed helps his case a lot. Quinn has the potential to be a player on special teams.
Safety: Murvin Kenion III, Nevada
Murvin Kenion III spent his college career at various schools before finding his footing his senior year at Nevada. Prior to becoming a member of the Wolf Pack, Kenion played for City College at San Francisco, Idaho and Sacramento State.
Analysis:
In his senior season at Nevada, Kenion started in all 12 games. He had 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. Kenion is undersized, standing at 5’10 and 200 pounds. His 40 time came in at 4.56.
Team Fit:
It’s hard to see Kenion fitting into the safety room. Kenion is likely another UDFA signed by Green Bay who will be a part of the special teams.
