Packers Pick Cornerback, Defensive Tackle in NFL.com Three-Round Mock Draft

Green Bay addresses needs on defense in latest mock draft

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Green Bay Packers have holes at cornerback and on the defensive line that NFL.com's Chad Reuter addressed in a three-round mock draft. In the second round, the Packers select South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse, a fast and athletic player with good size. In the third round, the Packers trade up to select Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, a disruptive player with an impressive motor and work ethic.

Why it matters

The Packers are looking to improve their defense after a disappointing season, and these two picks address key needs at cornerback and on the defensive line. Cisse and Harris could help the Packers strengthen their defense and make a push for the playoffs next season.

The details

In the second round, the Packers select cornerback Brandon Cisse from South Carolina. Cisse is a fast and athletic player with good size at 6-foot and 190 pounds. He had one interception and five pass breakups in his lone season for the Gamecocks. Cisse is known for his speed, burst, and change of direction, and his defensive coordinator praised his intelligence and ability to play all over the secondary. In the third round, the Packers trade up to select defensive tackle Zxavian Harris from Ole Miss. Harris is a rare player at 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds, and he saved his best college season for last with career-highs in sacks, tackles for loss, and pass deflections. Harris is known for his unbelievable motor and work ethic, with one former teammate describing him as a "crash dummy" who doesn't have an off switch.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the spring of 2026.

The players

Brandon Cisse

A cornerback from South Carolina who is known for his speed, burst, and change of direction. He had one interception and five pass breakups in his lone season for the Gamecocks.

Zxavian Harris

A defensive tackle from Ole Miss who stands 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds. He had a career-best season in 2025 with three sacks, nine tackles for loss, and three pass deflections. Harris is praised for his unbelievable motor and work ethic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We gave him a new nickname because of how fast he is and just the tempo that he plays with is ridiculous.”

— Gerald Kilgore, Teammate (The State)

“I think one quality of the defensive back room is speed, burst and change of direction, and (Cisse) has all three of those.”

— Clayton White, Defensive Coordinator (N/A)

“Zay's got an unbelievable motor, unbelievable work ethic. He's an extremely disruptive player. We call him a crash dummy. He doesn't have an off switch. He doesn't pick and choose when he's going to go hard, and I think you can really see that on field goal block.”

— Jared Ivey, Former Teammate (N/A)

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the spring of 2026, where the Packers will look to address their defensive needs and build on their roster for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The Packers are focusing on improving their defense in the 2026 NFL Draft, targeting a fast and athletic cornerback in Brandon Cisse and a disruptive defensive tackle in Zxavian Harris. These two picks could help the Packers strengthen their defense and make a push for the playoffs next season.