Packers' 2026 Draft: Cisse and Smack Lead a Cost-Conscious Roster Reboot

On Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft the Packers selected South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse at No. 52 and traded up to the sixth-round’s final slot (No. 216) for Florida kicker Trey Smack. The team entered without a first-round pick after trading it to the Dallas Cowboys for Micah Parsons in 2025, leaving six picks to address defense and kicking.

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Losing the No. 20 overall pick forced Green Bay to maximize later rounds. GM Brian Gutekunst noted the rookie-scale cost of roughly $35 million for six players—well under the $20.8 million a first-rounder would have required. The Smack trade cost two seventh-round picks, a low-risk, high-reward move.

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Cisse, a 20-year-old, posted a 9.25 RAS, a 4.41-second 40-yard dash (91st percentile) and improved coverage grades (69.8 -> 71.9 -> 71.2). He signed a four-year, $9.365 million contract. Smack converted 82.8 % of his field-goal attempts and secured a four-year, $4.452 million deal.

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Gutekunst praised Cisse’s transfer to South Carolina, noting his “upside is really good.” Mason Crosby defended the Smack trade, calling him “the No. 1-graded kicker in this draft” and arguing that a proven leg in the sixth round outweighs two seventh-round picks.

Mason Crosby hits the nail on the head about Packers' bold trade for Trey Smack

Fans voiced unease about surrendering two seventh-rounders, recalling past disappointment with late-round kicker Anders Carlson. Others noted Cisse’s rising yards-after-catch and occasional missed tackles. One commentator warned the team could end up “with a kicker to trade at the end of August for another pick next year” if Smack fails to win the job.

Mason Crosby hits the nail on the head about Packers' bold trade for Trey Smack

Local discussion noted none of the Packers’ pre-draft visits produced selections, a pattern linked to the lack of early picks. Draft analysts also disagreed on the class’s overall grade, with one fan claiming the best mock draft got only seven of 32 picks correct.

Inbox: You're not just picking players. You're believing in them

• “He was the No. 1-graded kicker in this draft. He's the best kicker in this draft,” — Mason Crosby, former Packers kicker

Mason Crosby hits the nail on the head about Packers' bold trade for Trey Smack

• “Everyone's going to compare this draft to the Anders Carlson one, but this kid's productivity speaks for itself.” — Mason Crosby

Mason Crosby hits the nail on the head about Packers' bold trade for Trey Smack

• “On stepping up to the SEC in 2025, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said: “Really like the fact that he took the step and went to South Carolina last year and really showed well this past year.” — Brian Gutekunst, Packers GM

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• “Smack It!” — Rich Eisen, broadcaster

Mason Crosby hits the nail on the head about Packers' bold trade for Trey Smack

The picks aim to restore a depleted secondary and secure a reliable field-goal specialist while preserving cap space for future extensions on key players from the Parsons trade.

Inbox: You're not just picking players. You're believing in them

Cisse will compete for a starting cornerback slot opposite Keisean Nixon, and Smack will battle veteran Brandon McManus for the kicking role in training camp. Their performance will shape Green Bay’s defense and special-teams for the 2026 season.

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