Wednesday Cheese Curds: Packers prepared to address needs in 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Green Bay Packers are preparing to address their cornerback needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, as acknowledged by GM Brian Gutekunst. The team has struggled with cornerback depth since signing Nate Hobbs over a year ago.

Key points

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst acknowledges need for cornerback help
Team has struggled with cornerback depth since signing Nate Hobbs
2026 NFL Draft is approaching with potential strategies for the Packers

Mentioned in this story

Green Bay PackersBrian GutekunstNate Hobbs

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images We all know the NFL Draft is a little bit silly. What takes three days could be done in a handful of hours if the league really wanted to. They shouldn’t; the spectacle is enjoyable. But we can at least acknowledge that it’s silly. And a good deal of that silliness is kayfabe — stagecraft we’ve all agreed to accept. One of my favorite bits of this stagecraft is how every team seems to get exactly the players they wanted exactly when they thought they would get them. Almost nobody ever deviates from their board (or, at least, nobody admits that they do), and everyone’s favorite prospect happens to be on the board when they’re ready to pick. It’s uncanny! I also enjoy how nobody ever picks for need, just value. “We trusted the board” is the law of the land. The board just always happens to point teams toward what they happen to need. Again, it’s uncanny! Kidding aside, it was refreshing to hear Brian Gutekunst openly address the Packers need for cornerback help in his pre-draft press conference this week. It would have been disingenuous to do anything other than that. Everyone knows the Packers need corners. They’ve needed cornerback help since the moment they signed Nate Hobbs a little over a year ago. Saying it out loud isn’t disclosing some state secret. Every other team on the Packers’ schedule certainly knows cornerback is a weakness (just ask the Chicago Bears!). Sure, it breaks some of the illusion, but we’re all adults. There’s plenty of other draft-related silliness we can embrace this weekend. If the Packers look to target their biggest needs, these would be some great options. If Brian Gutekunst wants to move around, he has a little flexibility. The Packers’ best lineman is on his way back to full health after successful surgery. If the Packers add a linebacker, here are some Day 2 options. The draft could go plenty of different ways for the Packers. Here’s one perspective on the best and worst options. 14,000 miles would be quite a road trip even on four wheels.

Q&A

What specific needs does the Green Bay Packers have for the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Packers specifically need to add cornerbacks to strengthen their defense.

Who is the general manager of the Green Bay Packers?

Brian Gutekunst is the general manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Why is cornerback a significant weakness for the Packers?

Cornerback has been a weakness for the Packers since they signed Nate Hobbs, indicating a lack of depth in that position.