Packers could fill biggest remaining roster need with 3-time Pro Bowler

As a result, ESPN's Aaron Schatz still believes edge rusher is the most pressing need on the team's roster after the draft.

"What happens to the Packers' defense if Micah Parsons, who suffered a torn ACL in December, is not ready for Week 1? The other starting edge rusher is slated to be Lukas Van Ness, who had just 1.5 sacks in nine games last season. The top backups are fourth-round rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton and Barryn Sorrell, who had 1.5 sacks while playing 16% of the Packers' defensive snaps as a rookie last season. This is a team that really needs to explore the remaining free agents in the veteran edge rusher market," Schatz said.

Green Bay still has $18 million in cap space, and using some of that money on an experienced pass rusher to pair with Parsons would be a logical move by general manager Brian Gutekunst. Banking on Van Ness, who has been incredibly disappointing so far in his career, and two raw talents in Dennis-Sutton and Sorrell aren't great gambles for a Packers team that has Super Bowl aspirations in 2026.

That said, Green Bay's edge rusher solution could come in the form of a former No. 1 overall pick who has yet to find a new home in free agency after spending the 2025 season with the Cowboys.

Packers should sign Jadeveon Clowney to address biggest remaining need

Clowney quietly had a productive 2025 in a rotational role in Dallas. The three-time Pro Bowler tallied 8.5 sacks and 40 quarterback pressures in 227 pass-rushing snaps, and played nearly all of his snaps outside the tackle as a traditional edge rusher.

Pairing Parsons with a battle-tested veteran like Clowney would give the Packers' pass rush a spark, and with the 33-year-old being more suited in a complementary role, his presence would still open the door for Van Ness, Dennis-Sutton, and Sorrell to earn playing time.

Clowney would also be a fantastic fit in Jonathan Gannon's defense. Though Gannon's base scheme is a 3-4 defense, the new Packers defensive coordinator will also mix in other schemes, such as a 4-3. That bodes well for Clowney, who stated in an April interview that he has the ability to play in every defensive scheme.

"I have played in every scheme,” Clowney said in an interview with Click2Houston. "Ain’t no scheme I can’t play in, 3-4 to 4-3 to whatever damn scheme that you had. I think I’ve proved that I can play in them all and not just play in them, but also dominate in the schemes and do my job at a high level. I just came off a great season, looking forward to doing it again and continuing to prove to people and show the balance."

Overall, the Packers won't be able to elevate into one of the upper-echelon teams in the NFC if the pass rush is lackluster once again. Signing Clowney wouldn't be a blockbuster move, but the South Carolina product would bolster the edge rusher room and provide more sack production in 2026.