The Green Bay Packers could eye Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds in the 2026 NFL Draft. His blazing speed and playmaking could solve the CB1 need at pick 52.
It may feel a bit too early to start thinking about the 2026 NFL Draft, but mock draft season will be upon us before you know it. In fact, for many fans, mock draft season started the minute the Green Bay Packers' 2025 season ended.
A lot is going to happen between now and April 23rd, when the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh. Right now, the Packers don't have a first-round pick, and they'll start their selections with pick No. 52, which is in the second round.
Not having a first-rounder in the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts was part of the price the Packers paid for getting Micah Parsons. They gave a lot to get a lot back in return, and that's just part of the reality general manager Brian Gutekunst will have to work with unless he's able to swing another trade and somehow get back into the first round.
So who should the Packers target in Round 2 and beyond? There are going to be a ton of names thrown around and many of them will be great picks.
Previous Green Bay Packers 2026 NFL Draft Previews:
Iowa offensive lineman Genning Dunker:
Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange:
Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad:
Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II:
Texas Tech Red Raiders DL Lee Hunter:
Northwestern Wildcats OL Caleb Tiernan:
Texas Longhorns LB Anthony Hill Jr.:
Ohio State Buckeyes CB Davison Igbinosun:
Michigan Wolverines EDGE Derrick Moore:
Getting to know Indiana Hoosiers CB D'Angelo Ponds:
Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Omari Kelly (1) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images.The Packers have a massive need at cornerback. That's been beaten to death this offseason, but it doesn't make it any less true.
Keisean Nixon can't be the CB1 heading into 2026 and Carrington Valentine is no better. Benjamin St-Juste is a nice offseason addition as a depth piece, but he's likely not going to be that big of a difference-maker.
The Packers must take a swing in Round 2 at pick No. 52 to try to find their next CB1, and if Indiana Hoosiers cornerback D'Angelo Ponds is there, he'll be a home run pick.
That's a big if, because he just ran a blazing 4.31 40-yard dash at Indiana's pro day.
That's incredible speed, and then you throw in Ponds' playmaking ability. He notched 61 tackles, two interceptions (one taken back for a touchdown), four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 11 passes defended last season for the Hoosiers during their incredible undefeated season and national championship run.
That interception he ran back for a score came in the Peach Bowl against Oregon, so Ponds proved that he can make big plays in big moments.
The only downside to Moore is the fact that he's only 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. He's undersized and general manager Brian Gutekunst likes big cornerbacks.
Does his playmaking make up for it, though? There's a case to be made that Ponds would be a shoo-in first-round pick if he were just two inches taller, so it very well might be for the Packers.
In three college seasons, his first being at James Madison, he notched 169 total tackles, seven interceptions (five at Indiana, two taken back to the house), and 33 passes defended.
That's CB1 material right there, even at only 5-foot-9.
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