Packers trade up for DT Chris McClellan on Day 2 of draft

TL;DR

The Green Bay Packers traded up to select defensive tackle Chris McClellan from Missouri in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft, moving from the 84th to the 77th pick. McClellan, ranked 108th overall, addresses the team's need at the nose tackle position.

Key points

Packers traded up from 84th to 77th pick in 2026 NFL draft
Selected defensive tackle Chris McClellan from Missouri
McClellan ranked 108th overall and fourth among defensive tackles

Green Bay PackersTampa Bay Buccaneers

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 15: Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Chris McClellan (7) raises his hands ti celebrate sacking Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) in the first quarter of an SEC football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers on November 15, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Green Bay Packers moved up in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft to take Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan. Originally, the Packers held the 84th overall pick in the third round. They moved that selection and the 160th pick, their original fifth-round pick, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 77th overall pick. In the process, they skipped over the following teams: the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, , and Buccaneers. McClellan was ranked the 108th overall prospect in the class . He was the fourth-highest rated defensive tackle available, behind Iowa State’s Domonique Orange, Oklahoma’s Grace Halton and Florida State’s Darrell Jackson Jr. Halton, unlike the other three, is the only true three-technique defensive tackle. Orange, Jackson and McClellan can all play nose tackle, though McClellan played fewer nose reps at Missouri than either Orange or Jackson did in college. has a need at the nose tackle position, following the losses of T.J. Slaton, and over the last two seasons. General manager Brian Gutekunst stated in his pre-draft press conference that free agent signing can play nose tackle, but that the team is still in the “true nose tackle” market, as only (2025 free agent), (claimed last year) and Will Brinson (2025 sixth-round pick) fit that mold. McClellan should be able to compete for playing time in that room in 2026. He began his career at Florida before transferring to Missouri in 2024. Last year, he was named a second-team All-SEC player with the Tigers. For what it’s worth, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, author of “The Beast” had McClellan graded as a 3rd-4th round pick and named McClellan his eighth-ranked defensive tackle of the class. Orange, whom he graded as a 2nd-round pick, was the only defensive tackle still available who Brugler had graded ahead of McClellan at the time of McClellan’s selection.

Q&A

Why did the Packers trade up for Chris McClellan in the 2026 NFL draft?

The Packers traded up to secure Chris McClellan to fill their need at the nose tackle position following the losses of key players.

What was Chris McClellan's draft ranking and position among defensive tackles?

Chris McClellan was ranked 108th overall and was the fourth-highest rated defensive tackle in the 2026 draft class.

Which teams did the Packers skip over by trading up to select McClellan?

The Packers skipped over the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.