The Green Bay Packers are in a thin position along the interior defensive line. Devonte Wyatt turns 28 in March and has settled in as a serviceable starter, but he hasn’t consistently provided difference-making production. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden are both slated to be unrestricted free agents after the 2026 season.

Beyond them, the depth is limited. Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson are second-year players, with Brinson eclipsing 40 defensive snaps in a game only once and Stackhouse surpassing 30 snaps just one time. Meanwhile, Jordon Riley was a midseason addition signed off the New York Giants’ practice squad.

Brian Gutekunst will need to address the position. The Packers are projected to be over the cap for the 2026 season. However, Russ Ball is almost certainly already working his magic to put Green Bay in a healthier position ahead of free agency. Still, Gutekunst’s best path to improving in the trenches may come through the draft, where several intriguing prospects could make an early impact in the rotation.

One of those prospects is Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.

Among defensive tackles in college football since 2023, Hunter ranks first in tackles (46), tackles for loss or no gain (38), and run stops (81), while also placing second in quarterback pressures (75). He was also a standout performer at the Senior Bowl, and the Packers have a long history of drafting players from that event.

Lee Hunter is a top 50 player for me. 330-lb NT with heavy hands and a very quick first step for his size. Comfortably the most detailed and instinctive pass rusher in the ’26 NT class pic.twitter.com/NC3o1WNdu9

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 10, 2025

Hunter has an impressive first step and consistently plays with control as a run defender, evidenced by a missed-tackle rate of just 2.9% against the run. He has been one of the most effective interior pass rushers in the country, posting a 10.6% pass-rush win rate and a 17.5% true pass-rush win rate, both of which rank third among defensive tackles.

His lateral agility allows him to shut down zone concepts to his side of the formation, while his heavy, violent hands and strong base help him anchor at the point of attack and disrupt runs before they develop. That combination translates to consistent impact, highlighted by an 11.9% run-stop rate, the second-highest mark among all defensive tackles nationwide.

Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter looked like a first rounder throughout Day 1. His combo of explosiveness and power was too much for most of his opponents pic.twitter.com/CLRHEj4BVD

— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 28, 2026

Hunter also fits the physical profile the Packers have historically prioritized along the interior defensive line; they favor bigger-bodied defenders who can hold up against the run over lighter, quick-twitch interior pass rushers. Green Bay’s first selection in the 2026 draft currently sits at No. 52, while Hunter is ranked 41st on the consensus board. While a slight slide is possible, the more realistic outcome may be Gutekunst moving up the board if the Packers view him as a priority target rather than waiting for him to fall.

That said, an aggressive move up the board would not align with Gutekunst’s track record at the position. During his time in Green Bay, the Packers have used a top-100 pick on a defensive tackle just once — Devonte Wyatt in 2022 — indicating a tendency to wait rather than prioritize the position early in the draft.

There are a couple of drawbacks to consider. Hunter will be 24 years old by the time he takes his first NFL snap, and his pass-rush toolbox still needs refinement. That said, Green Bay’s current timeline suggests a team aiming to win now rather than wait for long-term development. In that context, the Packers may favor a more experienced prospect capable of contributing immediately, a profile Hunter fits better than a purely developmental option.

Hunter offers a blend of proven college production and upside, both of which are pressing needs along the interior of the defensive line. If he is available at No. 52 — assuming Green Bay does not trade up, which is unlikely — Gutekunst should at least consider pulling the trigger, even if precedent points toward Hunter ultimately landing elsewhere rather than in Wisconsin.