It may feel a bit too early to start thinking about the 2026 NFL Draft, but mock draft season will be upon us before you know it. In fact, for many fans, mock draft season started the minute the Green Bay Packers‘ 2025 season ended.
A lot is going to happen between now and April 23rd, when the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh. Right now, the Packers don’t have a first-round pick, and they’ll start their selections with pick No. 52, which is in the second round.
Advertisement
Not having a first-rounder in the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts was part of the price the Packers paid for getting Micah Parsons. They gave a lot to get a lot back in return, and that’s just part of the reality general manager Brian Gutekunst will have to work with unless he’s able to swing another trade and somehow get back into the first round.
So who should the Packers target in Round 2 and beyond? There are going to be a ton of names thrown around and many of them will be great picks.
Iowa offensive lineman Genning Dunker:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Iowa Lineman Gennings Dunker
Advertisement
Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Iowa State DL Domonique Orange
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Texas DB Malik Muhammad
Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Arizona State DB Keith Abney II
Advertisement
Texas Tech Red Raiders DL Lee Hunter:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Texas Tech DL Lee Hunter
Northwestern Wildcats OL Caleb Tiernan:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Northwestern OL Caleb Tiernan
Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr.:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Advertisement
Ohio State Buckeyes CB Davison Igbinosun:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun
Michigan Wolverines EDGE Derrick Moore:
Green Bay Packers: Meet Your New NFL Draft Crush, Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore
Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (5) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Omari Kelly (1) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images.
The Packers have a massive need at cornerback. That’s been beaten to death this offseason, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Advertisement
Keisean Nixon can’t be the CB1 heading into 2026 and Carrington Valentine is no better. Benjamin St-Juste is a nice offseason addition as a depth piece, but he’s likely not going to be that big of a difference-maker.
The Packers must take a swing in Round 2 at pick No. 52 to try to find their next CB1, and if Indiana Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is there, he’ll be a home run pick.
That’s a big if, because he just ran a blazing 4.31 40-yard dash at Indiana’s pro day.
That’s incredible speed, and then you throw in Ponds’ playmaking ability. He notched 61 tackles, two interceptions (one taken back for a touchdown), four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 11 passes defended last season for the Hoosiers during their incredible undefeated season and national championship run.
Advertisement
That interception he ran back for a score came in the Peach Bowl against Oregon, so Ponds proved that he can make big plays in big moments.
The only downside to Moore is the fact that he’s only 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. He’s undersized and general manager Brian Gutekunst likes big cornerbacks.
Does his playmaking make up for it, though? There’s a case to be made that Ponds would be a shoo-in first-round pick if he were just two inches taller, so it very well might be for the Packers.
In three college seasons, his first being at James Madison, he notched 169 total tackles, seven interceptions (five at Indiana, two taken back to the house), and 33 passes defended.
Advertisement
That’s CB1 material right there, even at only 5-foot-9.
PackersRoundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Packers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.