Recapping Packers' Day 2 of 2026 draft: Attacking the roster's two greatest wants

[ad_1] The Inexperienced Bay Packers began Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft by staying put at No. 52 and taking cornerback Brandon Cisse and ended the night time by making an attempt to commerce again into the third spherical after buying and selling up earlier within the third spherical to get defensive lineman Chris McClellan. Regardless of not having a first-round decide, common supervisor Brian Gutekunst was capable of aggressively assault his roster's two greatest long-term wants on Friday night time.

This is a fast recap of the Packers' work on Day 2:

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CB Brandon Cisse at No. 52 Brandon Cisse, Packers, No. 52 general

Brian Gutekunst made it clear his workforce wanted so as to add numbers at cornerback on this draft. He in all probability could not have envisioned a prime 50 consensus participant at cornerback falling to him at No. 52. However that is precisely what occurred, and he did not hesitate given the chance. Cisse is a 20-year-old nook with elite athleticism and substantial upside after starring within the SEC in 2025. The Packers love his motion expertise, toughness and flexibility. Whereas he'll want time to develop, particularly as a youthful prospect with solely two years of beginning expertise, Cisse ought to give the Packers a aggressive rookie with a transparent pathway to beginning on the perimeter in 2027. Instantaneous stability at a premium place.

Commerce as much as No. 77 Packers Buccaneers draft commerce

After anxiously watching gamers come off the board within the third spherical, the Packers moved up seven spots from No. 84 to No. 77 to get Chris McClellin -- the best participant left on their board and a participant Inexperienced Bay thought of amongst a batch of prospects within the second spherical. The fee? A fifth-round decide, No. 160. By most commerce worth charts, the swap of picks between the Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers was even.

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DL Chris McClellin at No. 77 Chris McClellan, No. 77 general

The Packers worth versatility alongside the line of defense, however even Gutekunst might acknowledge the necessity for a nostril sort out kind given the change to a 3-4 base entrance below Jonathan Gannon. Deciding on McClellin within the third spherical seems to verify each packing containers for the Packers. He has spectacular dimension, energy and size, giving him block-eating capabilities on the nostril, however the Packers additionally assume he has untapped potential as a pass-rusher (6.0 sacks in 2025) from a number of alignments. This was a participant the Packers really cherished. They favored him as a second-round expertise and have been prepared to sacrifice a fifth rounder to go get him at 77. Now, McClellan will get an opportunity to play actual snaps for the Packers as a rookie in 2026.

Failed try to commerce again up How properly did the board maintain up on Day 2? Gutekunst admitted he tried (however failed) to commerce again into the third spherical. It did not occur, nevertheless it speaks to the standard of participant nonetheless on the Packers' board to finish Day 2 and probably to start out Day 3. Perhaps Gutekunst will try to maneuver up from No. 120 to focus on a participant to start out Saturday.