GREEN BAY − Brian Gutekunst telegraphed it at the start of this week.
He wanted to add bodies at cornerback. He had an appetite for a nose tackle. With two picks on the 2026 NFL Draft’s second day, the Green Bay Packers general manager targeted both.
The Packers traded up seven spots to select Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan with the 77th overall pick in the third round. At 6-3 3/4 and 313 pounds, McClellan has the size to anchor the middle of the Packers defensive line. He’s also mobile for his size, running a 5.05-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine with an impressive 1.8-second split in the first 10 yards.
McClellan showed that burst as a senior last season, recording six sacks and eight tackles for loss. After starting his college career at Florida, McClellan transferred to Missouri for his final two seasons. He combined for 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss with the Tigers.
The Packers traded a fifth-round pick (No. 160 overall) in this draft and swapped their original 84th overall pick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to draft McClellan. They chose him over a handful of other available nose tackles, including Xzavien Harris of Mississippi and Domonique Orange of Iowa State.
In the second round, the Packers drafted South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse with the 52nd overall pick.
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 / 9Brandon Cisse highlights, Packers' 2026 second-round draft pickNov 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 SportsThis article originally appeared on Packers News: Nose tackle Chris McClellan is picked by Packers in the third round