Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst emphasized the need for a nose tackle in the upcoming draft to bolster the defensive line. Nine potential prospects, including Domonique Orange and Jordan van den Berg, have been identified as targets to enhance the team's run defense.
Brian Gutekunst spoke to the local media on Tuesday. In a press conference that nearly lasted half an hour, Green Bay Packers general manager covered a wide array of topics. One notable quote from Gutekunst was on the team's need to add a space eater in the middle of Green Bay's defensive line for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. "There is probably more appetite for a pure nose because some of the snaps that we're going to play have that," Gutekunst said. "Where maybe we wouldn't have had that with Jeff." A year ago, I wrote an article about nine space eaters the Packers could target on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft to replace TJ Slaton. The Packers drafted one of those players I highlighted (Warren Brinson) and signed another as an undrafted free agent (Nazir Stackhouse). With the Packers seemingly in the market for another space-eater type, let's take a look at nine prospects who they could target in the upcoming draft to clog up running lanes for Gannon's unit. *Kayden McDonald will not be part of this exercise. The Ohio State product is likely going to be drafted late in the first round.*
It would not be shocking if Orange is the selection with the 52nd overall pick on Friday night. The Iowa State product checks in at 6-2 and 322 pounds. He has the natural girth to clog up running lanes and he has the strength to put down roots against double teams. Over the past two seasons, he's recorded 33 stops and a year ago he had a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss. Big Citrus has some juice, as evident by his 1.72 10-yard split and his 31.50-inch vertical. Impressive numbers for a man his size. Draft a player for who they are going to become, not who they are today. Orange has enticing tools to work with to become a force in the middle of Green Bay's defense.
Iowa State DT Domonique Orange. Big Citrus. Big ol' Citrus. I love him. pic.twitter.com/Git9fykQwu
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 25, 2026
With his size and athleticism, van den Berg is an exciting Day 3 fit for the Packers. Georgia Tech product has a powerful upper half and can be hard to displace in the run game. He can be a straight-up bully at the point of attack and he has the lateral agility to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. With his blend of initial quickness and power, van den Berg has the tools to develop into a force as an interior pass rusher. He's coming off a season in which he posted career highs in sacks (three) and pressures (29).
The top prospects include Domonique Orange, Jordan van den Berg, DeMonte Capehart, and Lee Hunter, among others.
Gutekunst highlighted the team's increased appetite for a pure nose tackle to fit the new defensive scheme under coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Adding a space eater is crucial for clogging running lanes and improving the overall effectiveness of the Packers' run defense.
Kayden McDonald from Ohio State is expected to be drafted late in the first round and will not be part of the Packers' considerations.
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Jordan Van den Berg is a DT prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 2278 DT from 1987 to 2026.pic.twitter.com/N276X256MA
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 19, 2026
Capehart is another intriguing Day 3 option. The Clemson product had modest production during his time at Clemson, but his power was hard to miss. Then he put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking a 4.85 40-yard dash and a 1.71 10-yard split, all while weighing 313 pounds. He also posted a 33.50-inch vertical. He has the body mass to clog up run lanes. He's a powerful player who holds ground against double teams. He's able to deconstruct blocks with his powerful hands. He's coming off a season in which he recorded a career-high 14 stops.
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 86, DeMonte Capehart
The Clemson DT could provide immediate value as a two-down player with his ability to muck things up against the run.
Check out why the Tiger DT could be a Day 3 target for the Packers.pic.twitter.com/DlvsPwNuKC
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen\_Rupp) January 26, 2026
Hunter may not have tested like an elite athlete. Throw it out the window. He's a good football player and could be the target in the second round for the Packers. The 6-3, 318-pound defensive tackle played a vital role in the Red Raiders having the top rushing defense in college football this past season. He has the natural girth to clog up running lanes and he finished this past season with 10.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 26 pressures and 25 stops. Hunter had a 30 visit with the Packers, so there is at least a level of interest.
Lee Hunter was one of six prospects I highlighted for Packers fans to watch in this week's edition of Scouting Saturday.
The Texas Tech DT has the girth to clog up running lanes. During his final two seasons at UCF, he recorded 61 run stops and 20.5 tackles for loss. #Activepic.twitter.com/sKoGNe77bl
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen\_Rupp) November 8, 2025
Miller is a rugged run defender. He is going to control his gap and he won't get pushed off his spot. He has good quickness of the snap and the power in his hands to work off contact to be an active force against the run. With his initial burst and power, Miller can collapse the pocket. If Miller is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 52nd overall pick, he could be the next Bulldog that Gutekunst takes early. At 6-3, 321 pounds with a nice blend of power and quickness, Miller is exactly what the Packers need in the middle of their defense.
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 61, Christen Miller
Since 2021, Brian Gutekunst has drafted five Georgia Bulldogs. With his ability to clog up running lanes and his raw power, Miller could be the sixth Bulldog taken by Gutekunst.
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen\_Rupp) February 26, 2026
Jackson is a powerful defensive tackle. At 6-5, 315 pounds, Jackson has the girth to clog up running lanes. He roots in against double teams and is going to keep linebackers clean. During the past two seasons, Jackson has recorded seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 44 pressures and 47 run stops. Jackson's pass rush plan is based on power. He drives offensive linemen backward to cave in the pocket. During his final two seasons, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 44 pressures.
Welcome to Mobile, Darrell Jackson Jr.
6-5, 328 lbs, 35" arms, 11" hands - you feel those numbers here. pic.twitter.com/X22FpCOZPx
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2026
At 6-3 and 307 pounds, Cleveland is a stout defensive tackle who can control his gap. He uses active hands to keep himself clean and work off blocks. He anticipates well against the run and is quick to locate the pigskin. This past season, he recorded career-highs in tackles for loss (seven) and stops (21). With his first-step quickness, Cleveland can build up momentum quickly as a bull rusher. This past season he recorded a career-high two sacks and over the past two seasons, he recorded 32 pressures. He could be an ideal target in the sixth round if the Packers don't address the position early in the draft.
Brandon Cleveland is a prospect who I’m told the Packers like.
He’s a DT who is a dog against the run and enjoys doing the dirty work.
The NC State DT finished the season with 6.5 TFL, two sacks and 20 run stops.
Excited to see how he does down in Frisco. pic.twitter.com/EWYOTBWmEF
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen\_Rupp) December 2, 2025
A 6-1, 319 pounds, Smith is a compact defensive tackle. He is hard to move off his spot and can be a stubborn son of a bee sting at the point of contact. He started his college career at Duke before transferring to UCLA for the 2022 season. During his three seasons with the Bruins, he recorded seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 46 stops. He is a two-down player and anything he offers as an interior pass rusher will be gravy. If the Packers get to the seventh round and they still haven't added a nose tackle type, Smith could be a target with one of their two seventh-round selections.
UCLA NT Gary Smith III (6-1, 328) is a Late Day 3/PUDFA for a team who needs a big bodied, run defending 1T at discount
🐻100+ career tackles 🐻25 starts between UCLA & Duke
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 27, 2026
The South Carolina defensive tackle enjoyed a breakout campaign of sorts this past season, recording six tackles for loss, two sacks and 28 run stops. At 6-2, 312 pounds, he’s a stout defensive tackle and flashes violence in his hands to deconstruct blocks and constrict running lanes. He put together a strong Senior Bowl Week and likely caught the eyes of Green Bay's scouts. His agility testing was not great and that could keep him off Green Bay's boards, but for a team that needs a player who can muck things up in the middle of the line of scrimmage, Barrett could a great value pick in the fifth or sixth round.
In a deep class of run-stuffing defensive tackles, South Carolina's Nick Barrett is one of my favorite Day 3 picks. Immovable against the run, Barrett has heavy hands and plays with excellent leverage.
Some team is gonna find a tailor-made two-down defensive tackle late. pic.twitter.com/QFAzJnjqAp
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) March 17, 2026 *This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 9 space-eating nose tackles the Packers could target in 2026 draft*