{"id":850082,"date":"2026-04-02T21:45:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850082\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:45:27","slug":"packers-could-fill-roster-hole-with-massive-space-eater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850082\/","title":{"rendered":"Packers Could Fill Roster Hole With Massive ‘Space-Eater’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Matt\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

ESPN predicted head coach Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers to land defensive tackle Lee Hunter in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

The Green Bay Packers<\/a> won\u2019t have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they should still be able to fill a couple needs on Day 2 with a second and third-round pick. That\u2019s exactly what the Packers did in a new 2026 NFL<\/a> mock draft released from ESPN on Thursday.<\/p>\n

At No. 52 overall, ESPN\u2019s Field Yates projected the Packers to select Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreen Bay will have some 3-4 elements under new coordinator<\/a> Jonathan Gannon; Hunter has the right skill set to anchor a run defense,\u201d wrote Yates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Packers already have starting interior defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt<\/a>. The team also signed veteran interior lineman Javon Hargrave<\/a> in NFL free agency.<\/p>\n

Yates, though, alluded to the unique attributes Hunter will be able to provide in Green Bay. He\u2019s an ideal nose tackle for the 3-4 system, which Wyatt and Hargrave really aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The Texas Tech prospect would also bring tremendous size to the table for the Packers. The defensive tackle stands at 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds with 33-and-quarter-inch arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHunter is a two-gapping nose tackle for odd or even fronts,\u201d wrote Zierlein<\/a>. \u201cHe has the size, strength and length to do battle in the heart of the trenches \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHunter projects as an early down space-eater who can make interior offensive linemen work for their gaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

Packers Projected to Draft Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter\"Lee<\/p>\n

GettyESPN projected the Green Bay Packers to pick Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter at No. 52 overall.<\/p>\n

Green Bay has several needs on defense it should try to address. The top one is probably edge rushing depth to support Micah Parsons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s usually pretty tough to find a high-ceiling star edge rusher on Day 2. Maybe the Packers can find quality depth along the edge in the later rounds.<\/p>\n

Instead of filling that void in the second round, Yates predicted the Packers to add a nose tackle.<\/p>\n

The addition of Hunter should help Green Bay\u2019s run defense. The Packers were ranked 12th in rushing yards allowed per attempt but 18th in total rushing yards yielded.<\/p>\n

At Texas Tech last season, Hunter posted<\/a> 41 combined tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He also had 2.5 sacks with a forced fumble.<\/p>\n

On their offseason roster, the Packers don\u2019t distinguish<\/a> between defensive tackles and defensive ends. So, they have 17 players they classify as defensive linemen.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a lot of depth. But the Packers could still use Hunter as a run-stuffing nose tackle.<\/p>\n

2026 NFL Mock Draft Sends Green Bay Versatile DB Treydan Stukes\"Treydan<\/p>\n

GettyESPN predicted the Green Bay Packers to selected Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes at No. 84 overall.<\/p>\n

Besides edge rusher and nose tackle, one of Green Bay\u2019s other top remaining needs is cornerback.<\/p>\n

The Packers grabbed Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes at No. 85 overall in the third round of the new ESPN mock draft Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cA versatile defensive back who can fit into any scheme, Stukes posted four interceptions in 2025 and then cruised to a 4.33-second 40 at the combine,\u201d wrote Yates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stukes spent six seasons at Arizona. In 52 college games, he posted<\/a> 29 pass defenses and seven interceptions, four of which he registered last season.<\/p>\n

In 2025, he also had 52 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss, one sack and six pass defenses.<\/p>\n

Considering the Packers don\u2019t have a first-round pick, walking away with Hunter and Stukes after the first three rounds would be pretty terrific for Green Bay\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDave Holcomb<\/a> is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Packers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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