The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23 and the latest crop of rookies will be hearing their names called all weekend long. For the Green Bay Packers, the biggest need is an obvious one: Cornerback.
The Packers lost defensive starters, including edge Rashan Gary and LB Quay Walker. But cornerback is Green Bay’s most pressing need because the team doesn’t have a No. 1 cornerback on its roster. CB Benjamin St-Juste was brought aboard in free agency, but more work should be done at the position.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the Green Bay Packers for this year’s draft, including a round-by-round look at picks and a potential trade candidate already on the roster:
Green Bay Packers NFL draft best prospect fit: CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Per USA TODAY’s Ayrton Ostly:
Green Bay is hoping Micah Parsons is fully healed up when he returns in 2026 to give them one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. The back end could use more investment, though, and Abney could be a fit either outside opposite Keisean Nixon or at nickel over Javon Bullard. His track background shows up on tape. He’s far more physical than his 5-foot-10, 187-pound frame would suggest.
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Green Bay Packers NFL draft trade candidate: Edge Lukas Van Ness
Per USA TODAY’s Jack McKessy:
Van Ness had something of a career year in 2025 playing across from fellow edge rusher Micah Parsons in Green Bay. Though a foot injury limited him to nine games, he made his first career starts in 2025 and set a career high in pressures (27) last year, per Pro Football Focus. Those pressures did not translate into many sacks (career-low 1.5 in 2025), and it’s unclear what Green Bay’s vision is for their former first-round pick. Trading Van Ness on draft night would allow another team to make a decision on exercising his fifth-year option before the May 1 deadline.
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Green Bay Packers NFL draft picks by round
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
-
No. 153 (5.13) from Falcons via Eagles
Round 6
Round 7
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No. 255 (7.39) Compensatory pick
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Green Bay Packers 2026 NFL Draft: Picks, team needs, trade candidates
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