Texas Tech's Lee Hunter is a disruptive force who could anchor the Green Bay Packers' defensive line and ignite the 2026 draft's second round.
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:
Getting to know Texas Tech Red Raiders DL Lee Hunter
Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive lineman Lee Hunter (2) reacts in the second half of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images.The Packers need some help up front, and that's especially true in the interior of the defensive line.
Devonte Wyatt is about as good a three-tech as you'll find in the NFL, but he's going to be coming off a massive leg injury in 2026. Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, and Nazir Stackhouse are simply just bodies that can clog up the interior. None of them neccesarily have start potential.
But then there's Lee Hunter of out Texas Tech, who can come into Green Bay and be a starting nose tackle from day one.
He's a big dude at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, but he's more than just a gap-plugger. He notched 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble for Texas Tech in 2025, and he was 41st in college football in hurries with 19. Throw in 25 total pressures, and you're looking at a big, interior defensive lineman who offensive lines will have to gameplan around.
Put Hunter on a line with Wyatt and Micah Parsons, and all of a sudden, there's too much going on for opposing offenses to handle.
Hunter was one of Texas Tech's big transfer portal pickups this offseason. Before making a name for himself in Lubbock, he spent three seasons with UCF. In sum total, his college career saw him notch 168 tackles (85 solo), 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass defended.
He was a second-team All-American for Texas Tech last season, starting all 14 games for the Red Raiders at nose tackle.
Hunter is a run-stuffer and a pass-rusher. The Packers haven't had an interior lineman like him since B.J. Raji, perhaps, so he would absolutely be a great pick for Green Bay at No. 52 overall.
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