With the 2026 NFL Draft just around the corner, the speculation is heating up, and one of the biggest names in draft analysis has made a fascinating prediction for the Green Bay Packers. In his final mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper projects the Packers to select a player who has become one of this cycle's most talked-about prospects: Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Kiper sends Terrell to Green Bay with the 52nd overall pick in the second round, a significant slide for a player once considered a lock for the first round. The primary reason for his fall? A combination of pre-draft injuries and concerning testing numbers. Terrell reportedly ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, a time that raises eyebrows for a player expected to cover NFL receivers on the perimeter.
However, Kiper sees beyond the stopwatch, highlighting Terrell's proven on-field talent. He notes that Terrell is a "consistent man-to-man corner with plenty of speed" who makes plays on the ball, forcing an impressive eight fumbles over the past two seasons. Kiper believes the Clemson product has the skills to potentially start for the Packers as a rookie, offering immediate help to a secondary looking to solidify its future.
The debate around Terrell is what makes this pick so intriguing. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler listed him among the draft's most polarizing players, with one AFC scout questioning his ability to play outside corner with his 40 time. Yet, there's important context: Terrell aggravated a hamstring injury during his 40-yard dash attempt, which could explain the slower time. In today's NFL, where in-game GPS tracking provides a clearer picture of true playing speed, teams like the Packers will have deeper data to evaluate his capabilities.
Adding to his pedigree, Avieon is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons standout cornerback A.J. Terrell, and he was a true freshman starter at Clemson, demonstrating high-level talent from day one. While his current draft stock is a rollercoaster, his selection by Green Bay would be a classic high-risk, high-reward move—a gamble on proven production over combine metrics, a philosophy that has defined many great draft steals.