Packers Seek Edge Rusher Reinforcements After Key Departures

Green Bay looks to restock the position through the 2026 NFL Draft after trading away Rashan Gary and losing Kingsley Enagbare in free agency.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player rushing the quarterback, with the player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of green, gold, and navy blue, conveying the dynamic and evolving nature of the Packers' edge rusher position.The Packers' edge rusher corps undergoes a major transformation, requiring a strategic approach to restocking the position through the draft.Green Bay Today

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with only eight picks and several roster needs to address, including at the edge rusher position. After trading away Rashan Gary and losing Kingsley Enagbare in free agency, the Packers have a moderate to high short-term need to find new contributors at edge rusher. While they have a strong foundation with Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness, the depth behind them is unproven, leading the Packers to likely target the position in the upcoming draft.

Why it matters

Edge rusher is a premium position in the NFL, and the Packers' decision to move on from Gary and Enagbare leaves them with a significant hole to fill. Restocking the position is crucial for the Packers' defense to maintain its effectiveness and help the team get over the hump in the NFC after three straight playoff appearances that ended in the divisional round.

The details

The Packers currently have Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness penciled in as their starting edge rushers, with Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, and Brenton Cox Jr. providing young, developing depth. However, the team lost over 1,000 snaps from 2025 with the departures of Gary and Enagbare, and Parsons is expected to miss time to start the 2026 season. The Packers will need to find capable replacements, either through the draft or free agency, to ensure their pass rush remains a strength.

  • The Packers traded away Rashan Gary prior to the 2026 season.
  • Kingsley Enagbare signed a new deal with the New York Giants in free agency this offseason.

The players

Micah Parsons

A star edge rusher for the Packers, signed through the 2029 season.

Lukas Van Ness

A young, developing edge rusher for the Packers, signed through the 2026 season.

Rashan Gary

A former Packers edge rusher who was traded away prior to the 2026 season.

Kingsley Enagbare

A former Packers edge rusher who signed a new deal with the New York Giants in free agency this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Without a first-round pick due to the Micah Parsons trade, the Packers will need to win Day 2 and 3 to find contributors and long-term foundational pieces in this year's draft.”

— Zach Kruse, Author

What’s next

The Packers will look to address their edge rusher needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, with several potential options available on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft.

The takeaway

The Packers' decision to move on from Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare has left them with a significant hole to fill at the edge rusher position. While they have a strong foundation with Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness, the depth behind them is unproven, making edge rusher a priority position for the Packers in the upcoming draft.