See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
However Matt Schneidman also gave high marks to the Packers trading up to take Kicker Trey Smack:
"The Packers had a predictable draft devoid of fanfare until they traded up for a kicker. Let me repeat. Traded up for a kicker! My favorite pick is an easy call, and not just because his last name is Smack. Floridaās Trey Smack went to the Packers with the last pick of the sixth round after GM Brian Gutekunst gave both of his seventh-rounders to the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized there will be a true kicking competition this summer, but will it really be that between Brandon McManus and Smack after the Packers traded up for the latter?"
"Considering the Packers didn't have a first-round pick ā and that an elite player in Parsons is the reason why ā Green Bay should be pleased with its 2026 haul."
"There are no qualms to be had with the value they found in Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan, both of whom fill defensive needs.
Cisse is still just 20 years old, so the Packers have plenty of time to mold him into the kind of cornerback they want. Renner raved about the fit, noting that Green Bay tasks its corners with heavy off-zone coverage, which is Cisse's strength. That's a pretty nice pick for a team that had to wait until the 50s to make its first selection.
Dani Dennis-Sutton made it three straight "A-" picks to open the draft before that streak ended with the Jager Burton move. "The Kentucky product brings some positional flexibility to the Packers' offensive line, though," Bahns said.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
4 / 9
Here are the Green Bay Packers 2026 draft picks in photos
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN: C-plus
Draft guru Mel Kuiper Jr thought the Packers had an average draft:
"Finally on the clock at No. 52, the Packers tookĀ 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 McClellanĀ andĀ Dani Dennis-SuttonĀ 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."
NFL.com: A-minus
The Packers got an A- on Day 2 and a A on Day 3 of the draft from Chad Rueter and also got a B for not having a pick in the first round due to the Micah Parsons trade:
"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 WRĀ 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."
Pro Football Focus: B
Pro Football Focus evaluated each pick separately and settled on a B for the whole group.
"McClellan wins more with power than athleticism, and that strength shows up against both the run and pass," the site said about Green Bay's third-round pick.
About fourth-rounder Dani 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."
"Cornerbacks from the first and second tiers had already been selected by the time the Packers went on the clock," the duo wrote. "Still, the team landed a cornerback with plenty of upside in Cisse. The problem, though, is that heās a raw prospect who will likely need time to develop, and the Packers arenāt in a position to be patient with a roster that needs to win now.
"Green Bay also waited a long time to address the holes on its offensive line, selecting Burton to potentially replace the departed Elgton Jenkins. Maybe the Packersā front office thinks it has an eye for gems, because it doesnāt appear this team acquired immediate help in this class. Green Bay ended the draft by adding Smack to compete with veteran kicker Brandon McManus, who missed kicks in crucial moments last season. "
USA Today: A-minus
Some people felt a little differently about the Packers' haul, and seemingly about Cisse's outlook, though there's a little bit of a caveat. Here's what Nate Davis had to say.
"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."
The Green Bay Packers made six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft with Brandon Cisse of the South Carolina Gamecocks their first pick in the second round.
Scroll through this gallery for info on the players part of the Packers' 2026 draft class.
Brandon Cisse, cornerback, South Carolina, second round round (52nd overall)
Chris McClellan, defensive tackle, Missouri, third round (77th overall)
Chris McClellan played the final two years of his college career at Missouri after two years at Florida.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge rusher, Penn State, fourth round (120th overall)
Dani Dennis-Sutton spent his entire four-year college career at Penn State.
