The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 NFL draft with eight picks and significant roster needs after a disappointing end to the season. They lack a first-round pick due to a previous trade and must focus on maximizing their selections to build a stronger team.
The Green Bay Packers are going into the 2026 NFL draft with only eight draft picks and plenty of roster needs to address after another promising season fell apart late. Despite three straight playoff appearances, the Packers haven't finished higher than the No. 7 seed in the postseason field or advanced past the divisional round during the Jordan Love era. Without a first-round pick due to the Micah Parsons trade, the Packers will need to win Day 2 and 3 to find contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.
Can the Packers use the 2026 draft to finally get over the hump in the NFC?
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview continues at running back:
Low to moderate. Josh Jacobs is a bell-cow running back who can play all three downs, carry the ball 20 or more times per game and provide value as a receiver. Chris Brooks was re-signed as a do-everything backup who also contributes on special teams. The question mark is beyond Jacobs and Brooks. Who will be the third back? And possibly the No. 2 option after Emanuel Wilson departed in free agency? MarShawn Lloyd is filled with talent but can't be relied upon given his injury history, and both Strong and Martinez were practice squad players in 2025. There is room for a rookie to earn a role for the Packers in 2026, especially given Jacobs' age and usage history. Lloyd could change everything here if he is healthy and available as a third-year player.
Moderate to high. Jacobs turned 28 years old in February, has over 2,000 career touches across seven NFL seasons and will have a cap number over $16 million in the final year of his deal in 2027. It's certainly possible this is the final year Jacobs is in Green Bay. But a long-term succession plan at running back is hard to see given Lloyd's disastrous first two seasons on the injury front. It's possible this is a roster problem for another day, but the Packers may be looking at a shakeup at running back as soon as next offseason.
Moderate. The Packers could use a Lloyd insurance plan and a possible role player behind Jacobs in 2026, and there's a fairly straightforward long-term need approaching as soon as 2027. There are more pressing roster needs entering the draft, and it's possible the Packers will go the veteran free agency route to address running back come next offseason, but the Packers have done plenty of pre-draft work at the position and could pounce if the right player is still on the board in the middle rounds.
OK. Dane Brugler of The Athletic gave 21 running backs a draftable grade, although nine were in the late Day 3 range. Jeremiyah Love is the clear No. 1 running back, and there is a group of backs in the second- to fifth-round range -- although finding a perfect Packers fit is difficult. While the class could have plenty of capable role players, it lacks depth of true difference-makers.
Last running back drafted: MarShawn Lloyd, third round, 2024
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2026 draft preview: Is running back a sneaky need in Green Bay?
The Packers have multiple roster needs to address, particularly in key positions like running back, as they aim to improve after recent playoff disappointments.
The Packers have a total of eight draft picks for the 2026 NFL draft.
The Packers traded away their first-round pick as part of the deal involving Micah Parsons.
The Packers need to effectively utilize their Day 2 and 3 picks to find contributors and foundational pieces, given their lack of a first-round selection.
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