Packers select Brandon Cisse with 1st draft pick in 2026 class

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Cisse #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the first half of his game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers drafted South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse with the 52nd overall pick in the 2026 class, their first draft choice this year after trading their first-round pick as part of the Micah Parsons trade. Cisse was considered to be one of the top players available on the board when the Packers were on the clock.

According to the consensus board, only the following players were ranked above Cisse:

• #14: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (dealing with a knee condition)
• #24: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
• #35: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
• #41: Emmanuel Pregnon, iOL, Oregon

Cisse played two years at North Carolina State before transferring to South Carolina in 2025. The second-round pick was measured in at just under 6’0” and 189 pounds at the combine. At his pro day, after not running at the combine, Cisse recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash.

Interesting, his measurables are pretty comparable to another South Carolina product, Keisean Nixon, who he will now share the cornerback room. Nixon ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at 196 pounds and a 4.52-second shuttle coming out. Cisse posted a 4.33-second shuttle. Both have arms that measured at 30 3/4”.