The Green Bay Packers are headed into the NFL offseason looking to make the necessary improvements to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2026.
After a brutal season on the injury front in 2025, the Packers limped into the playoffs. However, in the Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Bears, Green Bay entered halftime with a dominant 21-3 lead. It appeared that the Packers had a chokehold on the game.
Unfortunately, the team fell apart in the second half. When all was said and done, Green Bay ended up suffering one of the worst collapses in recent NFL playoff history.
With the offseason now arriving, the Packers are going to be a team to watch. There are some clear needs to address this offseason in order to be a more serious contender next season, with one of those needs coming at the cornerback position.
Keeping that in mind, Green Bay has been linked to a dynamic defensive playmaker option in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers Linked to Electrifying Playmaker in 2026 NFL Draft
Oct 5, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Chris Johnson (1) warms up against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors before the game at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers On SI analyst Jacob Westendorf has released a new seven-round mock draft for Green Bay. While the Packers do not have a first-round pick, he has the team landing a dynamic playmaker in the second round with the No. 52 overall pick.
He has Chris Johnson, a cornerback from San Diego State, being the pick.
“With limited resources, however, the Packers cannot afford to be picky. Johnson could redshirt for a season, as the Packers typically like to do with their rookies, or he could step in should one of the starters ahead of him get injured or underperform.”
Johnson would be a very intriguing pickup for Green Bay. He is coming off of a 2025 college season with San Diego State that saw him rack up 48 total tackles to go along with a sack, a forced fumble, four interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and eight defended passes.
Those numbers would have to intrigue a team like the Packers who need cornerback help. He stands in at 6-foot-0 and 185 pounds, which is a bit small, but the playmaking ability would give new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon a lot to work with.
While this is just an idea and the NFL Draft is still over two months away, Johnson will be a name to watch in the second round.