The Green Bay Packers are looking for edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially after losing key players. General manager Brian Gutekunst emphasizes the importance of pass rushers, particularly with current injuries on the team.
Key points
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst emphasizes the need for pass rushers
Team is seeking edge rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft
Key players like Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare are no longer on the team
Packers value traits and production in edge rusher prospects
Average measurements of drafted edge rushers since 2005 are 6-3 ⅔, 264 pounds
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has been known to say: “You can never have enough pass rushers” and that is a sentiment echoed by front office personnel throughout the NFL.
Despite trading for Micah Parsons on the eve of last season, Green Bay may still be seeking pass rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially with their star pass rusher recovering from a serious knee injury, and with Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare no longer on the team.
The Packers have been criticized for placing too much value on traits when it comes to pass rushers, but production has demonstrably mattered to them. By combining the traits and production, their types of prospects at edge rusher can be identified.
Of the 19 edge rusher bodies Green Bay has drafted since 2005, the average measurements have been around 6-3 ⅔, 264 pounds with 33” arms. The lows have been 6-2 ½ (Jarius Wynn), 240 pounds (Clay Matthews) and 31” arms (Ricky Elmore).
Using more logical measurements based on players drafted by Gutekunst, or in the first three rounds by his predecessor Ted Thompson, the floors rise slightly to 6-2 ⅔ for height and significantly to 32” for arm length.
Athletic testing matters immensely for pass rushers, and the Packers have put a particular emphasis on speed, with the average 40 time at 4.76, a 77th percentile score, and the floor (excluding Thompson’s day three picks) at 4.87, which is still an above average time.
Q&A
Who are the top edge rusher prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The article identifies nine edge rusher prospects that fit the Green Bay Packers' needs for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why is the Green Bay Packers' pass rush a concern for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Packers are concerned about their pass rush due to injuries to key players and the departure of others like Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare.
What traits do the Packers value in edge rushers for the NFL Draft?
The Packers value a combination of physical traits and production, with historical measurements averaging around 6-3 ⅔, 264 pounds and 33” arms.
How many edge rushers have the Packers drafted since 2005?
The Packers have drafted 19 edge rushers since 2005, with a focus on specific physical measurements and production.
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Similarly, the average 10-yard split of 1.65 seconds is a 75th percentile score, and the floor of 1.67 seconds is a very high bar to clear as a 66th percentile time.
Explosion is also a key part of the equation. This can be shown through either of the jumps, but looking specifically at the vert, the average Packers pick has jumped 34.5”, an 80th percentile score. The floor is Lukas Van Ness at 31”, and he had a strong broad jump to make up for it.
Based on a combination of physical traits and production, here are the best fits for Green Bay in the 2026 NFL Draft, ranked between No. 30 and 350 on the consensus big board:
Lawrence’s stock has been rising throughout the pre-draft process, and he may even end up going in the first round, which would be out of the Packers’ range.
If they are going to draft a pass rusher in the second round, Jacas and Dennis-Sutton are the most likely candidates.
Height is different from what the type of rusher they usually go after, and would be an outlier, listed just under 240 pounds. However, Green Bay brought him in for a visit, and he certainly ticks the box for speed, explosiveness and production. He is tall enough with long enough arms, so the team may feel they can add some bulk to him. Height does have a history of shoulder injuries, will be a 25-year-old rookie and has been at four different colleges, so the visit may mean legitimate interest, but it is fair to assume he is on the table.
There is a steep fall off to the next tier of edge rushers, and Green Bay arguably needs a potential difference maker if they are going to draft one, not roster depth, which they have plenty of with the likes of Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr. and Collin Oliver.
Still, Heldman and Kelly are two interesting prospects who had a pre-draft visit with the Packers. Heldman ticks every physical and athletic box, had 53 pressures and 12 sacks in 2025 per PFF.
Kelly does not have the type of production profile they usually like, his speed is just okay, and his agility is poor, but his vert and broad jumps were excellent and he has freakish length, with 35 ½” arms and 10 ½” hands. He is a flier worth taking as a late-round pick or UDFA.
If the Packers have an appetite for a hybrid pass rusher/off-ball linebacker, similar to their selection of Oliver last year, Jaishawn Barham from Michigan and Trey Moore from Texas could be in their sights as potentially versatile pieces for Jonathan Gannon to use.
An explanation of some top prospects who were not included:
Cashius Howell from Texas A&M (33) had sub-31” arms at the combine and is on the short side. Zion Young from Missouri (37) technically does not fail in any area, but his 10-yard split of 1.72 is only better than some of Thompson’s sixth- and seventh-round picks.
Derrick Moore from Michigan (61) only did the jumps and they were just okay. His vert would be an all-time low for the Packers at 30”. Keyron Crawford from Auburn (92) did not test.
One final note: Patrick Payton from LSU (293) did not test either, but maybe Green Bay would take a chance on him late or as an undrafted free agent, as he is built how they like and has enough production on his resume.
