The Green Bay Packers received mostly average grades for their 2026 NFL draft picks, having selected six players without a first-round pick. The assessment was complicated by the team's prior acquisition of Micah Parsons and the inclusion of a kicker in their selections.
Key points
Green Bay Packers received average grades for 2026 NFL draft
Team selected six players without a first-round pick
Micah Parsons acquisition affected draft strategy
One of the picks was a kicker
Green Bay Packers
After selecting six players during the three days of the 2026 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers received mostly average grades from those handing out immediate post-draft grades.
Graders had a dilemma in assessing the Packers' class: Brian Gutekunst didn't have a first-round pick after acquiring Micah Parsons, a true game-changer, last August, so he didn't go on the clock until No. 52 overall in the second round. And he ended up making only six picks, and one was a kicker.
Letâs say this right off the bat (and we say this every year): Instant draft grades are mostly meaningless little things. For most, itâs basically an exercise in looking at the general consensus on a player, figuring out if the player was a reach or a steal, and then doing it several more times, all while trying to understand if the team addressed the perceived draft needs. And itâs nearly impossible to factor in how each individual player will develop amidst a million different variables. Needs are a constantly moving target. The best grades are "incomplete" grades.
True grades canât be established until two or three years down the road. But instant draft grades are undeniably fun. They can be informative if done correctly. Evaluating the process is valuable. We donât know what the players will become, but we can try to understand what the team was thinking during each part of the event. And if an expert really knows the players, grading value in each draft slot can be accomplished to some degree.
Overall, the Packers got one "A-" and then a bunch of mostly average grades. It's tough to be a big post-draft winner when you don't have a first-round pick and make only six total picks.
Here are some notable grades on the Packers from 2026:
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Grade:
From Reuter: "Dennis-Sutton's athleticism made him a solid find in the fourth round, especially for a team needing pass rushers. Burton's power and quick feet made him an excellent pick to bolster the line with the fifth-round pick Green Bay received from the Eagles for WR Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers couldn't rely on their kickers last year. Smack's leg strength and accuracy from 50-plus yards out made him worthy of the trade-up at the end of Round 6."
From Kelly: "The Packers went without a first-round pick in this draft after sending it away last year for Micah Parsons, so the team came into the weekend short-handed. They kicked things off late in the second round, grabbing cornerback Brandon Cisse. The former Gamecocks standout offers good size and plays with a physical style at the line of scrimmage. Heâs a top-tier athlete with blazing makeup speed when he loses a step in coverage. He should have a chance to compete for starting snaps right away. In the third round, the Packers looked to the defensive line, nabbing Missouriâs Chris McClellan, a stout nose tackle prospect who could earn reps in the defensive line rotation early on. Pass rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton is another defensive lineman who could see the field in certain situations as a rookie. A former five-star prospect with excellent length and top-tier athleticism, he plays with power on the edge and dominates blockers at the point of attack. This was a low-fanfare draft for Green Bay, but the team managed to come away with a couple potential early contributors."
From Kiper: "Finally on the clock at No. 52, the Packers took Brandon Cisse. Save for Jermod McCoy, who clearly has some knee concerns, Cisse was the best CB available. He's quick in transition, but his awareness is pretty special. He anticipates well and doesn't have issues when he needs to turn his back to the football. He's not going to come down with a bunch of interceptions, but he closes quickly and gets his long arms in to make plays, with 12 pass breakups since 2024. Chris McClellan and Dani Dennis-Sutton touched on those other two needs. McClellan gets interior pressure with six sacks last season, and Dennis-Sutton should be a good rotational pass rusher. There are definitely some contributors here, but the missing first-round pick hurt Green Bay's ability to find Day 1 starters."
From Easterling: "Another team that doesnât have a first-round pick because they traded it for a proven superstar, the Packers are just fine counting OLB Micah Parsons as the gem of this draft class. CB Brandon Cisse could have easily been a first-round pick, making him a fantastic value pick that fills a huge need for Green Bayâs defense. DL Chris McClellan is a massive presence in the defensive trenches who brings a rare blend of size and athleticism, as well as the ability to both stuff the run and rush the passer. DE Dani Dennis-Suttonâs physical traits and versatility are off the charts, and he could prove to be one of the biggest bargain picks in the entire draft. OL Jager Burton and CB Domani Jackson were solid Day 3 investments in depth on both sides of the ball, and Iâm fine with a late-round kicker like Trey Smack when youâve nailed your other needs. Parsons was well worth missing a first-rounder this year, and the Packers got strong value across the board while filling their most pressing needs with guys who should be able to make an impact right away. Thereâs depth and upside as well, making this an easy win for Green Bay."
From Tice: "Micah Parsons makes having no first-rounder more palpable, so the Packers waited until pick No. 52 to make their first selection in cornerback Brandon Cisse. He has athleticism and traits, but is still developing his awareness and feel for the game (I think heâd be best moving to the slot or to safety). Dani Dennis-Sutton was a solidly productive four-year starter at Penn State who had an excellent showing in tests this spring. His play leaves you wanting to see more impact, but he has a high floor as a rotation edge who can even kick inside on pass rush downs because of his size. The Packers needed depth up front on defense and on offense. Adding Jager Burton is another body to throw into the offensive line room with interior position versatility at center and both guards spots, the type of flexibility the Packers love with their big guys."
From Davis: "Why this high? Because their first-round pick was used last year as part of the blockbuster acquisition of Parsons. Enough said. But if you want us to say a little more, promising second-round CB Brandon Cisse might not need much time to work his way into the starting lineup."
Cisse: Cisse can lack physicality at times, but his explosiveness and twitch give him the tools to develop into a starting NFL cornerback.
McClellan: McClellan wins more with power than athleticism, and that strength shows up against both the run and pass. He measured 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds with 34-inch arms, all above the 75th percentile at the position, which supports his projection as a run-game anchor. He earned a career-best 78.2 PFF grade in 2025, including a 75.2 run-defense grade and a 73.2 pass-rush mark.
Dennis-Sutton: Dennis-Sutton projects best as a 3-4 defensive end with some 4-3 flexibility. His length and size are clear strengths, though his agility in space is more limited. With ascending play, he could be drafted higher than his current tape suggests.
Burton: Burton's quickness stands out as a defining trait, and he fits well in gap-based run schemes. He ranks No. 141 on PFFâs Big Board and earned a career-best 71.3 PFF grade in 2025, including a 79.5 pass-blocking grade and a 67.5 run-blocking grade. He allowed 12 pressures on 457 pass-blocking snaps, all of which came as hurries, without surrendering a sack or a hit. His athletic profile supports that performance, with most measurables above the 75th percentile, including a 98th-percentile broad jump and a 4.94 40-yard dash that ranks in the 96th percentile.
Jackson: Jackson posted a career-best 74.4 coverage grade in 2025, contributing to a 73.4 overall mark, though his performance varied notably by alignment. He allowed 16 receptions for 135 yards on 21 targets, with one touchdown and one pass breakup, but the split between zone and man coverage is stark: a 74.0 coverage grade and 84.8 passer rating allowed in zone compared to a 60.2 grade and 135.9 rating in man. At 6-foot and 194 pounds, his speed and fluidity are most effective with eyes forward, allowing him to drive on throws and limit explosive plays. That disparity in coverage ability ultimately defines his projection, aligning with his No. 227 ranking on PFFâs Big Board as a zone-oriented depth corner.
Smack: Smack delivered consistently strong production across three seasons at Florida, earning PFF kicking grades of 89.0 in 2023, 89.3 in 2024 and 86.7 in 2025. He missed just one extra point in 2025 and converted 18 of 22 field-goal attempts. He also showed range, converting five of six attempts from 50 yards or longer.
From B/R: "The Green Bay Packers gave up their first-round pick as part of last year's Micah Parsons trade. The Packersâand their fansâshould be thrilled with that outcome, given the lack of truly elite prospects in the second half of Round 1. With their first pick in the draft, the Packers grabbed South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse. A raw-but-gifted prospect, Cisse could develop into a much-needed starter within his first couple of seasons. Green Bay then traded up in Round 3âsurrendering the 84th and 160th picks for the 77th selectionâto land Missouri's Chris McClellan. While McClellan may be a rotational defender early, He'll help reload a defensive front that saw Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary traded away over the last calendar year. Dani Dennis-Sutton was a top-100 prospect on the B/R board, and he should carve out an early role as a rotational pass-rusher. Jager Burton was only the Scouting Department's 271st-ranked prospect, but he's an intriguing traits-based pick who will provide developmental depth at center. Ideally, Trey Smack will provide some stability on special teams. Considering the Packers didn't have a first-round pickâand that an elite player in Parsons is the reason whyâGreen Bay should be pleased with its 2026 haul."