The Green Bay Packers brought six new players into the fold in the 2026 NFL Draft; so, how did they do? National writers had varied opinions of the class for Green Bay, with grades ranging from A to D.
Pick 77: Chris McClellan, defensive tackle, Missouri
Pick 120: Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge rusher, Penn State
This is an average grade based on the Packers' second and third round picks as The Athletic only graded the first three rounds.
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman gave South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse an A- and Missouri defensive tackle a B.
However Matt Schneidman also gave high marks to the Packers trading up to take Kicker Trey Smack:
"The Packers had a predictable draft devoid of fanfare until they traded up for a kicker. Let me repeat. Traded up for a kicker! My favorite pick is an easy call, and not just because his last name is Smack. Florida’s Trey Smack went to the Packers with the last pick of the sixth round after GM Brian Gutekunst gave both of his seventh-rounders to the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized there will be a true kicking competition this summer, but will it really be that between Brandon McManus and Smack after the Packers traded up for the latter?"
With no first round pick, Krostopher Knox says the Packers did well filling important needs
"Considering the Packers didn't have a first-round pick — and that an elite player in Parsons is the reason why — Green Bay should be pleased with its 2026 haul."
Carter Bahns was impressed with the players the Packers chose at picks 52 and 77:
"There are no qualms to be had with the value they found in Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan, both of whom fill defensive needs.
Cisse is still just 20 years old, so the Packers have plenty of time to mold him into the kind of cornerback they want. Renner raved about the fit, noting that Green Bay tasks its corners with heavy off-zone coverage, which is Cisse's strength. That's a pretty nice pick for a team that had to wait until the 50s to make its first selection.
Dani Dennis-Sutton made it three straight "A-" picks to open the draft before that streak ended with the Jager Burton move. "The Kentucky product brings some positional flexibility to the Packers' offensive line, though," Bahns said.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesSep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn ImagesFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesTennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports1 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin (12) is greeted by teammate Brandon Cisse (25) after an interception during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports3 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickAug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) is hit by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Brandon Cisse (15) as he releases the ball during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images4 / 9Here are the Green Bay Packers 2026 draft picks in photosNov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Brandon Cisse (15) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the third quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images5 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickSep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images6 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images7 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickTennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs the ball while tackled by N.C. State cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) at the NCAA College football game between Tennessee and NC State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.8 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse (DB04) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images9 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive back Brandon Cisse (25) warms up prior to a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY SportsESPN: C-plusDraft guru Mel Kuiper Jr thought the Packers had an average draft:
"Finally on the clock at No. 52, the Packers took Brandon Cisse. Save for Jermod McCoy, who clearly has some knee concerns, Cisse was the best CB available. He's quick in transition, but his awareness is pretty special. He anticipates well and doesn't have issues when he needs to turn his back to the football. He's not going to come down with a bunch of interceptions, but he closes quickly and gets his long arms in to make plays, with 12 pass breakups since 2024. Chris McClellan and Dani Dennis-Sutton touched on those other two needs. McClellan gets interior pressure with six sacks last season, and Dennis-Sutton should be a good rotational pass rusher. There are definitely some contributors here, but the missing first-round pick hurt Green Bay's ability to find Day 1 starters."
The Packers got an A- on Day 2 and a A on Day 3 of the draft from Chad Rueter and also got a B for not having a pick in the first round due to the Micah Parsons trade:
"Dennis-Sutton's athleticism made him a solid find in the fourth round, especially for a team needing pass rushers. Burton's power and quick feet made him an excellent pick to bolster the line with the fifth-round pick Green Bay received from the Eagles for WR Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers couldn't rely on their kickers last year. Smack's leg strength and accuracy from 50-plus yards out made him worthy of the trade-up at the end of Round 6."
Pro Football Focus evaluated each pick separately and settled on a B for the whole group.
"McClellan wins more with power than athleticism, and that strength shows up against both the run and pass," the site said about Green Bay's third-round pick.
About fourth-rounder Dani Dennis-Sutton: "Dennis-Sutton projects best as a 3-4 defensive end with some 4-3 flexibility. His length and size are clear strengths, though his agility in space is more limited. With ascending play, he could be drafted higher than his current tape suggests."