Full Breakdown
Green Bay Packers’ Day 2 Draft Strategy: Options at No. 52 and No. 84 in the 2026 NFL Draft
4/24/2026, 11:01:38 PM
Background & Context
The Packers entered the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round selection after using the 20th overall pick to acquire edge rusher Micah Parsons (source 16). It is the first time in 40 years the franchise has lacked a first-rounder (source 8) and only the second occasion since the draft moved to a three-day format in 2010 (source 8). Consequently, Green Bay’s first opportunity arrives on Day 2 with the 52nd-overall pick in the second round and the 84th-overall pick in the third round.
Core Event – Packers’ Day 2 Draft Position and Available Prospects
Analysts have compiled mock drafts and consensus boards to identify players likely to remain at No. 52. Repeatedly mentioned candidates include:
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee – ranked as a top corner but flagged for a knee “bone-plug” surgery (source 16, 17).
- Denzel Boston, WR, Washington – a possession receiver with traits the Packers favor (source 14).
- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State – a highly rated interior defensive tackle (source 1).
- T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson – a disruptive edge rusher (source 1).
- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee and Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson – both listed in the “trade-up” group (source 10).
Mock drafts also list Domonique Orange (DT, Iowa State), Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas) and Daylen Everette (CB, Georgia) as possible selections at 52 or 84 (sources 4, 11).
Data & Statistics
- Five players are highlighted as “let’s trade up and snag a Top 40 player”: Avieon Terrell, Colton Hood, Kayden McDonald, T.J. Parker, and C.J. Allen (source 10).
- The consensus board lists 20+ prospects within the top 75 still available (source 1).
- Five players with first-round talent are repeatedly cited as still on the board: McCoy, Boston, McDonald, Parker, and Terrell (sources 12, 16).
- Green Bay hosted 30 pre-draft visitors; the highest-ranked visitors include Christen Miller (DT, Georgia) and Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech) (source 17).
Official Statements & Responses
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the draft board “held up fairly well, kind of like we expected it to,” noting that “there’s always a couple of things where you go a little higher or a little lower than expected” (source 8, 14). The organization has indicated a focus on reinforcing the defensive line and secondary, with the possibility of trading up if a top-40 defensive tackle or edge rusher remains at No. 52.
Criticism & Opposition
- Health concerns surround McCoy, who requires surgery to replace a knee bone plug (source 17).
- Avieon Terrell’s 4.6-second 40-yard dash and injury history have drawn skepticism (source 12).
- Some analysts argue that selecting a linebacker who does not fit the run-oriented 3-4 scheme would be a misstep compared with edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton (source 9).
- Domonique Orange is praised as a classic nose-tackle but noted for limited pass-rush ability (source 15).
- Several cornerbacks are described as “slot-only” options, limiting their overall value (source 3).
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Rankings for McCoy vary: some sources list him as the top corner, while others emphasize his medical risk.
- Assessments of Orange differ between a “strong nose-tackle” and a player with “little pass-rush juice.”
- The exact number of remaining first-round talents is inconsistent across sources (five versus fewer).
- No official confirmation exists regarding a potential trade-up at No. 52.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It really kind of fell how we expected,” Gutekunst said. “There’s always a couple of things where you go a little higher or a little lower than expected, but I didn’t think there were any major surprises like there are at times. The board held up fairly well, kind of like we expected it to.” — Brian Gutekunst, GM, Green Bay Packers
- “surgery to replace a bone plug” — Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
- “I’m higher on R Mason Thomas than him, but the rest is pretty much how I see it.” — APC mock-draft author
- “, LB, Texas #84: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas #52: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina #84: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida #52: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan #84: Billy Schrauth, iOL, Notre Dame #84: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech Personally, I don’t get why the Packers are being mocked an off-ball linebacker (maybe people don’t realize the team switched to a 3-4 defense this offseason).” — APC mock-draft author
- “McCoy will placate fans who wanted Chris Johnson to fall.” — Lombardi Ave. analyst
What’s Next
If a top-40 defensive tackle or edge rusher remains at No. 52, the Packers may trade up, leveraging their 84th-overall pick as additional capital. Should they stay at No. 84, candidates such as Daylen Everette (CB, Georgia) or Domonique Orange (DT, Iowa State) align with identified roster needs. Ongoing medical updates for McCoy and performance data for Terrell will likely influence the final selections.
