Packers draft preview: Room to add a safety?

TL;DR

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 NFL draft with eight picks and significant roster needs. After three playoff appearances, they aim to strengthen their team, particularly at safety, without a first-round pick due to a previous trade.

Key points

Packers have eight draft picks in 2026 NFL draft
Team has significant roster needs, especially at safety
No first-round pick due to Micah Parsons trade
Three consecutive playoff appearances but no advancement past divisional round
Focus on finding contributors in Day 2 and 3 of the draft

Green Bay Packers

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 finishes at safety:

On the roster

Xavier McKinney (signed through 2027)
Evan Williams (signed through 2027)
Javon Bullard (signed through 2027)
Kitan Oladapo (signed through 2027)
Johnathan Baldwin (signed through 2026)
Mark Perry (signed through 2026)

Short term need

Low. McKinney and Williams form one of the league's best starting duos, Bullard can move back from the slot and play safety whenever needed, and Oladapo is entering his third season after playing safety and the slot (although sparingly) during his first two seasons. The Packers did lose special teamer to , and Bullard playing in the slot more might create an opportunity to add depth.