March 15, 2026, 1:14 p.m. CT

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

“Saul makes 10. Ten oughta do it, don’t you think? You think we need one more? You think we need one more. All right, we’ll get one more.”

That is the famous quote from Ocean’s 11 and it fits the old NFL cliche of – you can never have enough pass rushers. We’ll get one more.

The Green Bay Packers need one more pass rusher and it would not be shocking to see Brian Gutekunst use the 52nd overall pick to address the position, with a potential target being Dani Dennis-Sutton. The Penn State defensive end checks in at No. 44 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A five-star recruit out of Delaware, Dennis-Sutton recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception during his first season at Penn State. The following season, he recorded six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. During the 2024 campaign, he recorded 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and one interception.

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During his final season at Happy Valley, Dennis-Sutton recorded 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and a career-high three forced fumbles.

“Dennis-Sutton plays possessed,” Daniel Gallen, a Penn State reporter for Lions247, said. “His eyes get wide, he stares down players, and he feeds off the atmosphere in the stadium. If you keep a close eye on him from the press box, he’s one of a kind. While it might seem minor, his willingness to play a full four quarters in the Pinstripe Bowl at the end of a lost season stands out.”

At 6-6, 256 pounds and nearly 34-inch arms, Dennis-Sutton certainly looks the part of an NFL edge rusher. He combines that frame with impressive athleticism. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the former three-sport athlete posted the sixth-fastest (4.63) 40-yard dash time among defensive ends and his 1.63 10-yard split was ninth best. He posted the best broad jump of the group with a 10-11 and his 39.5″ vertical jump was fourth best.

Dennis-Sutton is a powerful player at the point of attack and he stays balanced through contact. He has strong hands to shed blocks. His motor runs hot and he’s a physical tackler. To go along with his 25 tackles for loss the past two seasons, he also recorded 56 run stops.

“At one point in his college career, Dennis-Sutton was listed at 270 pounds, and he fielded a couple of questions about whether he might move to the interior,” Gallen said. “He stayed on the edge for his career, but he was always on the bigger side, which helped in the run game. He could play with good power. He wasn’t always the most disciplined player on the edge, but he was willing to be physical.”

Dennis-Sutton utilizes his long arms to get into the chest of offensive tackles and drive them backward. He does a good job of converting speed to power. With a quick first step, it’s full steam ahead with a ton of power to discard blockers from his pathway. The Penn State edge rusher pairs that strength with a deep bag of pass-rush moves to keep offensive tackles off balance. His go-to move is a long-arm. During the past two seasons, he recorded 17 sacks and 96 pressures.

“He utilizes his length well,” Gallen said. “He was able to get in passing lanes, get a hand on quarterbacks, and get leverage on opposing offensive linemen. And then there’s that motor. He gives it all on every play to get to the quarterback.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers have more pressing needs at defensive tackle and cornerback. Gutekunst added to both groups in free agency with the signings of Javon Hargrave and Benjam St. Juste, but those two position groups remain at the top of the priority list.

However, the defensive end group needs reinforcements, especially with Micah Parsons expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 regular season. With Parsons sidelined due to his knee injury, it will fall on Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver and Brenton Cox Jr to do the heavy lifting.

Gutekunst and the Packers may believe that Sorrell and Oliver could take major strides during their second year in the league, and that Van Ness will build off his strong finish to enjoy a breakout season during his fourth year in the league.

Even if all that happens, and that’s a lot of ‘if’s, then refer to the beginning quote. We need one more.

There is no such thing as too many pass rushers and it’s a safe bet that Gutekunst would agree. This is the same general manager who went out and signed Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency, then turned around and drafted Rashan Gary with the 12th overall pick. It’s very possible and likely that Gutekunst uses the 52nd overall pick to add another pass rusher to the mix, and with his blend of strength, length, and burst, Dennis-Sutton could be the target.

“With his mix of size and athleticism, he can make an impact off the edge,” Gallen said. “He also had a couple of interceptions and a handful of pass breakups when he dropped from the edge into coverage, so there’s a willingness to do different things. He’s going to have a dedicated approach to everything that he does. While he wasn’t a team captain at Penn State, he did set an example with how he worked and played, which stood out in the Pinstripe Bowl. He should be a welcome addition to defensive end groups in the NFL.”

Dennis-Sutton is a well-rounded player. He’s capable of making splash plays against the run and he consistently puts pressure on the quarterback. He may not be a starter, but he would carve out a valuable role in Green Bay’s defensive end rotation with the potential to be the longterm running mate with Parsons, a fellow Nittany Lion.