Final predictions for Packers in second round of 2026 NFL draft

The second round of the 2026 NFL draft kicks off Friday night at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Green Bay Packers did not have a first-round pick on Thursday night and will have to wait -- barring a trade up -- until pick No. 52 to go on the clock on Friday.

Who will Brian Gutekunst target as he continues building what he believes to be a Super Bowl caliber roster?

Here are the final predictions from the staff on what the Packers will do in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft:

Zach Kruse: 3 different scenarios

I'm going to cheat and pick three different scenarios: one where the Packers trade up, one where the Packers pick at 52 and one where the Packers trade down. The trade up target would be Georgia's Christen Miller, who I'm not confident will last until No. 52. He's too good of a fit as a big, powerful and versatile defensive lineman for the Packers to sit on their hands if he falls into trade up range. Sometimes an obvious answer to what ails your roster falls into your lap, but sometimes you have to go proactively get it. The stay put prediction is Gabe Jacas, the 21-year-old edge rusher out of Illinois who checks all the boxes in terms of size, athleticism, production and experience. He is currently the No. 50 consensus player. The guess here is the Packers like him a lot, and edge rusher is a need. The trade down target would be Iowa State's Domonique Orange. I'm not sure the Packers would take "Big Citrus" at No. 52, but if they can move down later into the second round (or early in the third round) and pick up an extra pick/draft capital, Orange would become an excellent addition on Day 2. My assumption is none of the corners will fall into range for the Packers in Round 2. My wildcard scenario is the Packers get on the clock at 52 and a receiver or off-ball linebacker is the top player on their board.

Brandon Carwile: DL Christen Miller, Georgia