The Green Bay Packers need to invest in defensive tackles for the 2026 NFL Draft, with only Javon Hargrave and Warren Brinson under contract beyond that year. The draft class lacks depth, but the Packers are expected to select a player early.
Key points
Packers need defensive tackles for the 2026 NFL Draft
Only Hargrave and Brinson are under contract beyond 2026
Draft class lacks depth at defensive tackle
Packers expected to draft a defensive tackle early
Different profiles for normal tackles and nose tackles
Green Bay is long overdue for some real investments on the defensive interior, and while this draft class is not teeming with talent at that position, expect Brian Gutekunst to draft one relatively early.
But which players fit what the Packers are likely to want? Having already examined the type of production profile they generally have sought out, let’s combine that information with physical and athletic requirements.
Separating ‘normal’ defensive tackles from nose tackles is useful in an exercise like this, as they are going to have very different profiles.
Looking at traditional defensive tackles (less than 320 pounds), the average Packers draft pick since 2005 has been 6-3, 302 pounds with around 32 ¾” arms. They have however drafted players as short as 6-0 ⅖ (Mike Daniels), as light as 287 pounds (James Looney), and arms as short as 31”.
In terms of testing, the most important drill appears to be the 40. The average Green Bay draft pick has run a time of 5.01, which ranks in the 80th percentile. Among all Gutekunst’s picks and Ted Thompson’s in the first three rounds, the worst 40 has been 5.09, which is still above average.
The 10-yard split is similarly important, with the average Packers pick at 1.74, which is a 75th percentile score, and the floor seemingly at 1.79 seconds, which is only a tick below average.
Agility testing matters, with the average 3-cone score for a Green Bay draft pick at 7.52 (80th percentile) and the floor at 7.83 (45th percentile). The broad jump has also been of relevance, with the average score at 9-1, ranking in the 76th percentile.
Q&A
Who are the current defensive tackles under contract for the Packers beyond 2026?
Javon Hargrave and Warren Brinson are the only defensive tackles under contract for the Packers beyond 2026.
What are the Packers' needs for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Packers have a significant need for defensive tackles, as they lack depth at that position.
Why is the 2026 NFL Draft class considered weak for defensive tackles?
The 2026 NFL Draft class is not teeming with talent at the defensive tackle position, making it a challenging year for the Packers to find suitable players.
What type of defensive tackles are the Packers likely to target in the draft?
The Packers are likely to target defensive tackles that fit their production profile and physical requirements, distinguishing between normal defensive tackles and nose tackles.
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The sample size for nose tackles (320 pounds or heavier) is much smaller, with the Packers only drafting three of them since 2005: B.J. Raji, T.J. Slaton and Jonathan Ford.
Throwing Nazir Stackhouse into the equation, who was not drafted but was a priority UDFA signing, there is a trend among the four players, which is explosiveness, demonstrated in the vert and broad jumps.
The four players had varying levels of speed and agility, but they all earned a ‘good’ explosion score using the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) system, scoring above average in both the vert and broad.
On average they weighed around 332 pounds, had 32 ½” arms, but varied in height from Raji at 6-1 ⅖ to Ford at over 6-5.
Putting the factors of production, size and athleticism together, here are the best fits for Green Bay, ranked between No. 30 and 350 on the consensus big board, along with their ranking:
Woods has dropped from 10th on the consensus board in January to 30th as of writing. It is still pretty unlikely he is truly in range for the Packers, but his fall has been interesting.
Miller opted out of testing so would not ordinarily be included, but the Packers brought him in for a pre-draft visit, which indicates at least some level of interest. As a prospect, he very much suits what Green Bay could be looking for as a big, versatile D-lineman.
Hunter would not seem to be a fit based on his pedestrian (putting it generously) testing, especially in the jumps, but he is another player who was brought to Green Bay for a visit, so it is fair to assume he is at least in play.
In terms of nose tackles, Orange might be the most logical/high profile fit for the Packers in this draft. He tested very well for a player of his size, and his pressure and run stop rates would qualify him as a ‘normal’ defensive tackle, never mind a nose.
Proctor also visited Green Bay, had great testing and was very productive for Southeastern Louisiana. He is a smaller, more explosive and twitchy player, as is Durant.
Van Den Berg does not have the type of production the Packers have trended towards drafting, but based on his testing is one of the freakiest athletes ever at defensive tackle. He was another pre-draft visitor.
Eason has the body of a nose tackle but is a former linebacker and has played various spots on the defensive line. He is a name to watch on Day 3.
Thompson also had a pre-draft visit with the Packers and despite not being a full time player at Washington, put up strong pressure and run stop rates. He ran a blazing 4.73 40 at 306 pounds.
Looking at some players who did not make the list, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald (ranked 31st) has good enough production for a nose tackle, but did not test and is unlikely to make it to Green Bay’s pick at 52 anyway.
Caleb Banks from Florida (38) does have the kind of run stop rate the Packers have looked for, especially for a nose tackle body, and he has legitimate injury concerns.
Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton (74) had poor agility testing, and while that does not completely rule him out as Green Bay has drafted players with poor agility before, he also has 31.5” arms. They have drafted two players with arms as short or shorter, but both were Day 3 picks. Anyone the Packers have taken in the first two days had at least 32 ⅛” arms.
Darrell Jackson Jr. from Florida State (83) had very limited testing, only doing the vertical jump (and doing it quite badly). He jumped better than Hunter, but Hunter’s visit to Green Bay is the difference of why he is on the list and Jackson is not.
Navy’s Landon Robinson (181) may just be too small at 5-11 ⅕ (yes, you read that right), but he is crazy athletic, was productive and has long enough arms. Perhaps he could be an outlier they are willing to take a chance on late in the draft.
Speaking of outliers, Uar Bernard (321) has not played organized football yet and is part of the International Player Pathway Program, but he posted one of the most exceptional workouts ever for a defensive tackle with a 39” vert, 10-10 broad and a 4.63 40 at 306 pounds.
Whether it is early or late, expect Green Bay to bolster their defensive interior in this year’s draft.
