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Packers Begin 2026 Draft at No. 52, Target Cornerbacks

4/23/2026

Summary

Packers Draft Move

The Green Bay Packers will start the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 52 after trading their first-round pick to Dallas for Micah Parsons and sending Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles for No. 153.
GM Brian Gutekunst said the team will add numbers at cornerback, its top need after losing starters.
The Packers have eight picks and already have cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, leaving O-line or edge-rusher depth.

Summary

Packers Draft Plans

Jonathan Gannon, the Packers' new defensive coordinator, is demanding a true nose tackle because his scheme requires a space-eater, GM Brian Gutekunst said.
Green Bay secretly met with quarterback Taylen Green, whose 37 turnovers and dual-threat skill set could be molded into a “Willis 2.0” for coach Matt LaFleur.
Packers mock drafts show they will move from pick 153 to 156 in the fifth round to acquire two extra seventh-round selections and bolster depth.

History

Historical Context

The NFL's modern draft system began in 1989, allowing teams to trade draft picks for strategic advantages. The Dallas Cowboys exemplified this by trading for Troy Aikman, a pivotal move in their history. Today, teams like the Green Bay Packers continue this trend, trading picks to enhance their rosters, reflecting the ongoing importance of calculated trades in building competitive teams.

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Packers Draft Move

The Green Bay Packers will start the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 52 after trading their first-round pick to Dallas for Micah Parsons and sending Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles for No. 153.
GM Brian Gutekunst said the team will add numbers at cornerback, its top need after losing starters.
The Packers have eight picks and already have cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, leaving O-line or edge-rusher depth.

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