The Green Bay Packers glaring need for a cornerback will likely see them invest early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers need help at cornerback. That much is clear as we look ahead to the "big ticket' events of the 2026 offseason -- free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Packers have a new defensive coordinator in Jonathan Gannon and they've invested in putting together what seems to be a pretty good staff underneath him.
They've also got stars at multiple positions on defense. There's, of course, Micah Parsons on the defensive line, but let's not forget Devonte Wyatt, either.
Edgerrin Cooper is a rising star in the NFL at linebacker, and the Packers may even be able to bring back Quay Walker in free agency. He led the team in tackles last season and also notched 2.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and eight passes defended.
In the secondary, safety Xavier McKinney is an All-Pro and Evan Williams could be right behind him in that category. Javon Bullard is a former second-round pick out of Georgia and he's become one of the hardest-hitting players on the team.
Notice that cornerback has not been mentioned yet, and that's on purpose.
Keisein Nixon went into this season as the team's de facto CB1. He has swagger and has shown talent at times, but he lacks consistency and his mental fortitude is a bit off -- especailly after the whistle. Carrington Valentine has flashed play-making abilities at times, but as a former seventh-round pick he's more likely to get burnt than to make a play. Nate Hobbs was supposed to be a revelation as a slot corner, but he was injured for much of the season and was disappointing when he did play.
It's bad enough at corner that Matt Schneidman of The Athletic believes the Packers will select a cornerback with their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Remember, they don't have a first-rounder because they gave two away to get Parsons last offseason.
While explaining his pick at corner, Schneidman, interestingly enough, took a small shot at Nixon.
"The Packers at least need a cornerback they can develop into a true No. 1. Keisean Nixon and the Packers seem to think he’s just that, but his performance in the second half of the season would indicate otherwise," he wrote. "Nixon might ask for a raise this offseason, entering the final year of a contract that pays him like a nickel, which he used to be. Even if the Packers give him that pay bump in the short term, Nixon turns 29 in June, and the Packers need a contingency plan for the future who can develop under Nixon and Carrington Valentine in the present."
In his mock draft, Schneidman predicts the Packers will select Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun at No. 52. Notably, Chad Reuter of NFL.com predicted the Packers will select South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse. Tankathon likes Texas Longhorns cornerback Malik Muhammad for the Packers at No. 52.
It's far from a consensus (the offensive and defensive lines are also a major need), but if you had to put money down on it, the Packers going with a cornerback at No. 52 in the second round would be a safe bet.
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