Ex-Rams DE explains why the Ty Simpson pick was actually smart
Chris Long believes Rams' Ty Simpson pick is a smart long-term strategy.
The Green Bay Packers selected six players in the 2026 NFL draft, including cornerback Brandon Cisse and kicker Trey Smack. Each pick has notable stats that highlight their potential contributions to the team.
The Green Bay Packers made six picks in the 2026 NFL draft, starting with cornerback Brandon Cisse and defensive lineman Chris McClellan on Day 2 and ending with kicker Trey Smack on Day 3.
Want to know more about the draft class? Let's dig into the stats to help describe something interesting about each player.
Here is one stat to know about each of the Packers' six draft picks (all stats from PFF unless otherwise noted):
Willing run stopper: Cisse's combination of quickness and recovery speed give him immense potential as a coverage player, which will be his primary job as a perimeter corner. But don't discount his ability to impact the run game. Among cornerbacks drafted, Cisse ranked second in run stop percentage at 5.2 in 2025. His tape is filled with impressive reps where Cisse slips past a blocker and makes an impact play against a perimeter run. He might be only 189 pounds, but he's no Carrington Valentine. Cisse can defend the run.
New #Packers corner Brandon Cisse loves to defend the run. pic.twitter.com/iLt06EdV6P
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) April 25, 2026
Pass-rushing potential: The Packers said McClellan's ability to rush the passer was a differentiating factor for him as a nose tackle prospect. In 2025, McClellan created 6.0 sacks and had a pass-rush win rate of 9.6 percent -- showcasing some of his disruptive potential in the passing game. His pass-rush win rate ranked fifth among defensive tackles drafted. McClellan is going to be a tough player to move in the run game, but the upside to play all three downs really intrigued the Packers.
Missouri DT Chris McClellan caught my eye while watching Zion Young and then balled out in Mobile. 6’3, 315 with 34” arms and 11” hands. Has some position flex to play the one or the three with six sacks in 2025. Will be one of my guys this draft cycle.
Brandon Cisse plays as a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.
Brandon Cisse ranked second among drafted cornerbacks with a run stop percentage of 5.2 in 2025.
The Packers' first two picks in the 2026 NFL draft were cornerback Brandon Cisse and defensive lineman Chris McClellan.
The Packers selected kicker Trey Smack in the 2026 NFL draft.
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— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) February 1, 2026
Plenty of pressure: Over his final two seasons, Dennis-Sutton produced 96 total pressures, including 17 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. He had at least 45 pressures and 13 quarterback hits each season. It's still hard to imagine an NFL-sized Big Ten pass-rusher with this much production lasted until No. 120 overall. Throw in the pre-draft testing, and DDS has as much upside as any pick in Green Bay's class.
You can see why Dani Dennis-Sutton (#33) was a former 5-star.
He's got impressive movement skills for his size. pic.twitter.com/6ZZcbPe3En
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 6, 2025
Zero sacks or QB hits allowed in 2025: His breakout final season at Kentucky was clear in his pass protection numbers. Burton didn't give up a sack or a hit on the quarterback over 457 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. He was one of just six FBS centers to not allow a sack or QB hit while playing at least 300 snaps at center. His pass-blocking grade at PFF was 79.5, a career-high.
Awesome pick for the #Packers in their future starting Center Jager Burton. Mauler!
At 6’4, 320+, he’s an ELITE athlete (4.45 short shuttle, 99% athlete per RAS) and has played LG, RG and OC at Kentucky.
Didn’t allow a sack in 2025 and solidified some Day 2 grades after a… pic.twitter.com/mCdYF598lz
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 25, 2026
Didn't allow much in 2025: Jackson might not have had the senior season he wanted, but he was rarely tested and gave up little in terms of catches and yards. Despite playing 300 coverage snaps, Jackson allowed only 16 catches on 21 targets for 135 yards, the fifth-fewest yards allowed among FBS cornerbacks who played at least 250 coverage snaps in 2025.
The speed and athleticism from Domani Jackson (@domanijackson1) is ready for the next level 🔥@AlabamaFTBL | #ShrineBowlWHOSNEXTpic.twitter.com/AtORg9yyRK
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) April 4, 2026
Big leg: The Florida kicker connected on 10 of 13 kicks of at least 50 yards, with the 10 makes setting a school record. His long was 56 yards, and he made a kick of at least 50 yards during each of his three seasons as Florida's kicker. Smack's five field goals of 50 or more yards ranked third among kickers in the FBS in 2025. Here he is making a 54-yarder to put Florida up in the fourth quarter of a rivalry game:
Trey Smack, most career 50+ yard FGs in Gators history. pic.twitter.com/67ZlCbKG3g
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 1, 2025
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2026 draft class: One stat to know about each player