Heading into the 2026 season, the Green Bay Packers have one of the NFL’s most underrated position groups on their roster.

Between Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard, the team hasn’t been this young and talented at a defensive position in years, and their impact on the Packers’ future success will be stark.

Let’s take a look at each player.

Xavier McKinney

X’s Green Bay Packers tenure started rather flashily in 2024, when he became the first player since 1970 to record five consecutive games with an interception in his first five weeks with a new team.

That, of course, was revolutionary for the Packers, who had started the season prior with a battery that consisted of Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens.

No disrespect to them by any means, but for a team with serious playoff aspirations, the combination was mostly underwhelming.

As arguably the Packers’ biggest splash signing in recent memory, Xavier McKinney has been as advertised, and so much more.

The former Giant ended his first season in the Green and Gold with eight interceptions, the team’s highest mark since Charles Woodson had seven in 2011.

McKinney also added a first team All-Pro nod, along with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Although he didn’t stuff the stat sheet in the same way this past year, his impact was just as significant.

Through the first six weeks of 2025, X was targeted by opposing quarterbacks zero times.

Yes, zero.

If that stat doesn’t quantify how much of a difference maker McKinney is for the Packers, I don’t know what does, especially considering how poor the cornerback play was last season.

McKinney has also become one of the team’s most visible leaders, and that will continue to be a valuable asset.

His 2025 performance was enough for another All-Pro nod, this time second-team, and he’s still only 27 years old.

If things keep trending in the same direction, X will undoubtedly be one of the most accomplished safeties of the decade.

Evan Williams

Of the Green Bay Packers’ three young safeties, Evan Williams is the most pleasant surprise.

Williams was drafted two rounds after Javon Bullard in 2024, but outplayed him as a rookie, and since taking over the starting job, he’s been one of Green Bay’s most consistent contributors on defense.

Williams’ impact has been most evident in regard to his sure tackling and energetic playstyle, but he took a step forward in coverage in 2025 and has also added value on special teams.

All three of Williams’ interceptions last season felt like they came in big time moments, and considering how little Xavier McKinney is being picked on by opposing quarterbacks, it’s impressive how well Williams has been able to hold down his end of the bargain.

With his hundred tackles this past season, the Packers likely view Williams as a future Pro-Bowler, and long-term, there may not be a better combination of safeties in the NFL when considering age and trajectory.

With the Packers’ cornerback room undergoing serious changes this offseason, it’ll be important for Williams’ ascension to continue into 2026, as there will likely be a fair share of growing pains.

Javon Bullard

Javon Bullard was one of the Green Bay Packers’ biggest breakouts in 2025, serving as the most versatile member of the team’s young safety core.

After spending most of his rookie season split between free safety and the slot, Bull settled in the slot as a sophomore, playing around 75% of his snaps there.

His coverage skills improved tremendously, with his PFF grade jumping just over twenty points from 46.9 to 67.2, and his passer rating allowed dipping down as well.

Bullard’s early season marks put him on pace with some of the league’s most talented hybrid defensive backs, including Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James, and although he may not reach those heights consistently, there’s enough evidence to argue that the Packers have three starting-caliber safeties.

Now that Bullard has settled into his role in the slot, his value in Green Bay will only continue to rise, especially as second rounder Brandon Cisse gets acclimated on the boundary.

Until then, Bullard is no doubt the Packers’ most athletic option, and depending on the production of new signing Benjamin St. Juste, Bullard may be the only stop gap for the team’s poor cornerback play.