Feb. 28, 2026, 12:31 p.m. CT

The Unpacking FuturePackers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who theGreen Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

On the surface, the Green Bay Packers appear to be set up at wide receiver. Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams give Jordan Love a young, talented wide receiver room to continue to grow with. However, Golden and Williams are the only ones under contract beyond this upcoming season.

With only two wide receivers under contract beyond the upcoming season, the Packers could add a body to that room via the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target on Day 3 is J. Michael Sturdivant. The Florida wide receiver checks in at No. 58 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A native of Kansas, Sturdivant started his college career at California, and during his redshirt freshman season he recorded 65 receptions for 755 yards and seven touchdowns. Sturdivant transferred to UCLA for the 2023 season and recorded 36 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns. The following season he recorded 22 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns. 

This past season, the Kansas native transferred to Florida and recorded 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.

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A former track athlete, who has NFL bloodlines, Sturdivant figures to be one of the best athletic testers at the wide receiver position during the NFL Scouting Combine. 

“J.Michael Sturdivant’s greatest strength is his athleticism,” Nick Marcinko, a reporter for Gator Country, said. “The 6’2.5’ 213-pound receiver has great size and downfield speed. As an outside receiver, Sturdivant shows elite ability to track the ball and come down with contested catches.”

At almost 6-3 and 207 pounds, Sturdivant owns an NFL frame. His size and speed make him a vertical threat. He can get on top of cornerbacks quickly with his acceleration off the line of scrimmage and has the vertical speed to stretch the field. He’s able to propel himself downfield with his long, smooth strides. He does a nice job of selling double moves and tracks the ball well. He’s an instinctive route runner with the foot quickness to get in and out of breaks.

With his size and quickness, Sturdivant has the potential to be dangerous with the ball in his hands. That YAC threat was evident during his redshirt freshman season at CAL, when he racked up 300 yards after the catch. 

“Sturdivant relies heavily on his size and speed to create separation,” Marcinko said. “While the straight line speed is there, Sturdivant could improve on his short area quickness and release off the line.”

With his frame and toughness, Sturdivant is built for success in contested catch situations and working the middle of the field. This past season he was targeted 50 times, and he was tagged with just one drop. A major improvement from his redshirt freshman season, when he dropped 11 passes on 102 targets.

“Sturdivant improved his hands during his time at Florida,” Marcinko said. “It was a question mark upon his arrival in Gainesville, but he didn’t have an issue in that department. It’s probably still not considered a strength of his.”

The Gator wide receiver embraces his blocking responsibilities. While he may not be the most dominant blocking wide receiver, he has the frame and strength that teams are searching for out of the position.

Fit with the Packers

Since taking over as general manager of the Packers in 2018, Brian Gutekunst has drafted 12 wide receivers, with seven of them being Day 3 selections.

Sturdivant is built like some of those former Day 3 selections. J’Mon Moore (6-3, 207 pounds), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6-4, 206 pounds) and Equanimeous St. Brown (6-5, 214 pounds).

A year after using a first and third round pick on the wide receiver position, it’s hard to imagine that Gutekunst is going to use another Top 100 pick on the position in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Enter Sturdivant. The Florida wide receiver checks the boxes with his frame and his athleticism. He’d be a quality No. 6 wide receiver with the upside to develop a bigger role.

“I think Sturdivant warrants a late-round selection given his extreme upside,” Marcinko said. “His production has been inconsistent, largely due to rather terrible offenses and quarterback play throughout his career. The rare combination of size and speed should make him a sleeper pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.”

With his blend of strength and track-like speed, Sturdivant is worth the dart throw on Day 3 of the draft. He checks all the boxes the Packers are looking for and could provide them with another dynamic playmaker.