Recapping Packers' Day 2 of 2026 draft: Attacking the roster's two biggest needs

The Green Bay Packers started Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft by staying put at No. 52 and taking cornerback Brandon Cisse and ended the night by attempting to trade back into the third round after trading up earlier in the third round to get defensive lineman Chris McClellan. Despite not having a first-round pick, general manager Brian Gutekunst was able to aggressively attack his roster's two biggest long-term needs on Friday night.

Here's a quick recap of the Packers' work on Day 2:

CB Brandon Cisse at No. 52

Brandon Cisse, Packers, No. 52 overall

Brian Gutekunst made it clear his team needed to add numbers at cornerback in this draft. He probably couldn't have envisioned a top 50 consensus player at cornerback falling to him at No. 52. But that's exactly what happened, and he didn't hesitate given the opportunity. Cisse is a 20-year-old corner with elite athleticism and substantial upside after starring in the SEC in 2025. The Packers love his movement skills, toughness and versatility. While he'll need time to develop, especially as a younger prospect with only two years of starting experience, Cisse should give the Packers a competitive rookie with a clear pathway to starting on the perimeter in 2027. Instant stability at a premium position.

Trade up to No. 77

Packers Buccaneers draft trade

After anxiously watching players come off the board in the third round, the Packers moved up seven spots from No. 84 to No. 77 to get Chris McClellin -- the highest player left on their board and a player considered among a batch of prospects in the second round. The cost? A fifth-round pick, No. 160. By most trade value charts, the swap of picks between the Packers and was even.