Packers draft preview: Restocking edge rusher after big change arrives

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 edge rusher:

On the roster

• Micah Parsons (signed through 2029)
• Lukas Van Ness (signed through 2026)
• Barryn Sorrell (signed through 2028)
• Collin Oliver (signed through 2028)
• Brenton Cox Jr. (signed through 2026)
• Arron Mosby (signed through 2026)

Short term need

Moderate to high. In Parsons and Van Ness, the Packers have two expected starters, and Sorrell, Oliver and Cox provide young, developing depth behind them. But Parsons will likely miss time to start 2026, Van Ness isn't a proven commodity after three seasons, and the Packers lost over 1,000 snaps from 2025 when Rashan Gary was traded to Dallas and Kingsley Enagbare signed a new deal in New York. If Parsons returns at full strength, Van Ness stays healthy and takes a step, and one of Sorrell, Oliver or Cox takes over as a capable rotational backup, the Packers will be in decent shape. But that's a lot of "ifs," and every team is hunting for more pass-rushers. The Packers have plenty of incentive to add to the edge rusher position ahead of 2026. A reinvestment usually follows big changes at a premium position.

Long term need

Moderate. Parsons is signed long term, Van Ness is likely to receive the fifth-year option (locking him in through 2027) and Sorrell and Oliver are on cheap, four-year rookie deals. This quartet provides a strong foundation. But as is the case at nearly every position, the development of young players will determine the position's long-term stability. Adding another talent via the draft (and another four-year rookie deal) increases the chances of having a strong set of edge rushers long term.

Chances of drafting position

Moderate. The Packers don't necessarily have to take an edge rusher, given who returns and the development expected of the young players behind Micah Parsons. But restocking the position after losing Gary and Enagbare feels inevitable. This position is too important and the depth is too unproven to sit idly in a draft class that appears to have many good options on Day 2 and Day 3.

Depth of draft class

Strong overall, but maybe not for the Packers. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has 38 edge rushers with a draftable grade, and there appears to be several strong fits for the Packers from a size/athleticism/production standpoint. There could be a handful of attractive options in the second round, and Day 3 has a few terrific athletes worth considering. But not every edge rusher will fit for the Packers, and it's possible they will be picky in this class. Given the likely options, this looks like a get one early or get one late situation for the Packers.

Potential options, last edge rusher drafted

• Malachi Lawrence - UCF (42 on consensus big board)
• Gabe Jacas - Illinois (52)
• Dani Dennis-Sutton - Penn State (70)
• Romello Height - Texas Tech (74)
• Max Llewellyn - Iowa (150)
• Wesley Williams - Duke (192)
• Mason Reiger - Wisconsin (210)
• Michael Heldman - Central Michigan (259)
• Nyjalik Kelly - UCF (299)

Last edge rusher drafted: Barryn Sorrell, fourth round, 2025; Collin Oliver, fifth round, 2025

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers draft preview: Restocking edge rusher after big change arrives