Packers Load Up on Defense in Five-Round Mock Draft

New defensive coordinator gets reinforcements in NFL.com's latest projection

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:22pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting football players in action, with sharp planes of green, gold, and other vibrant colors representing the Packers' new defensive additions.The Packers' defensive overhaul takes shape in a cubist-inspired illustration of their 2026 draft picks.Green Bay Today

In a five-round mock draft by NFL.com's Chad Reuter, the Green Bay Packers address their defensive needs, selecting an athletic defensive back, a pass-rushing edge rusher, and a run-stuffing nose tackle to bolster their new-look unit under a new coordinator.

Why it matters

The Packers are looking to bounce back on defense after losing key contributors Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare. This mock draft shows how they could quickly restock the unit with talented players who fit their scheme and fill immediate needs.

The details

With their first pick at No. 52 in the second round, the Packers select Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes, a versatile defensive back with the size, speed and ball skills to potentially play outside cornerback. In the third round, they add Auburn edge rusher Keyron Crawford, who could step in and provide depth and pass-rushing ability. Then in the fourth round, they address the interior of the defensive line by taking Mississippi nose tackle Zxavian Harris.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26.

The players

Treydan Stukes

A defensive back from the University of Arizona who spent time at both cornerback and safety, and has the athleticism to potentially play on the perimeter.

Keyron Crawford

An edge rusher from Auburn University who emerged as a productive pass-rushing threat in 2025 after a quiet start to his college career.

Zxavian Harris

A nose tackle prospect from the University of Mississippi who could provide the Packers with a stout run-stuffing presence in the middle of their defensive line.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to bring an infectious amount of energy and effort to the locker room. I want to help the team win some football games. That's the end goal at the end of the day. Whoever picks me is getting a guy who wants to help the team achieve its goals.”

— Treydan Stukes

“He's twitchy and rushes with ideal energy as a hungry quarterback-hunter. However, he might benefit from dialing back his constant acceleration and becoming more intentional with his rush. Crawford has special teams and situational rush value now, but his best football is still to come.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst

What’s next

The Packers will have the opportunity to address their defensive needs further during the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26.

The takeaway

By targeting defensive backs, edge rushers, and interior defensive linemen in this mock draft, the Packers are showing a clear commitment to rebuilding their defense under a new coordinator. These selections could provide an immediate boost to a unit that struggled at times in 2025.