Packers' Draft Strategy: Cornerbacks & Edge Rusher

0:00On April 21st, Packers General Manager Brian Goudacunst says cornerbacks top their draft needs right now. They got Casey and Nixon and Carrington Valentine coming back from last year's 9-1 squad that bowed out in the wildcard playoffs. They also picked up Benjamin St. Juiced, who has nearly 50 career starts, but beyond those three, death is thin. Goudacunst made it clear they'll bulk up that group heavy this week. No first-round pick changes the game for Green Bay, the first time since 1986 without one heading in. They shipped their 2026 and 2027 first to Dallas for star-pass rusher, Micah Parsons. Their earliest shot comes at pick 52 overall, so snagging instant impact corners might mean getting creative. Goudacunst admits prep shifted a bit, like tweaking their 30 visits and pro days, but nothing major. Still, he feels good about trading up or down with 8 picks total, including extras in the 5th and 7th rounds. That sets them up for at least 11 selections next year, from compics after losing key free agents.

1:04On offense, they cut two-time pro bowl lineman Elpton Jenkins and soft starter Rashid Walker head to Carolina. But they've drafted multiple linemen, five of the last six years, so expect them to keep building there too. Draft kicks off Thursday in Pittsburgh, and with Parsons anchoring the edge, Packers fans they hyped for how Goudacunst flips these picks into. Contenders. Stay locked in with NFL News Today, AI-powered updates.