The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mission: fortify the trenches. Despite adding veteran Javon Hargrave in free agency, the defensive front showed vulnerability late in the 2025 season. The departure of starter Colby Wooden via trade and an expected schematic shift to a 3-4 defense under Jonathan Gannon only amplifies the need for impact players up front.

In our latest seven-round mock draft simulation, we explored a bold strategy for Green Bay: doubling down on the defensive line with back-to-back early selections. This approach could provide an immediate jolt of talent and athleticism to a critical unit.

The first target was a natural fit. Georgia's Christen Miller, a consensus top-50 prospect, brings the size (6-3, 321 lbs), youth (21 years old), and versatility the Packers crave. He projects as a potential anchor at nose tackle, a glaring need, and is already a force against the run. He's the kind of foundational piece that fits both short-term and long-term plans.

But the draft is about value, and sometimes talent falls into your lap. That's exactly what happened in the third round with Kaleb Proctor. A dominant FCS defender with elite athleticism, Proctor offers a different skillset: explosive interior pass-rush potential. In today's NFL, where disrupting the pocket from the inside is gold, his upside is immense.

Together, Miller and Proctor create a perfect one-two punch. Miller fills a current roster void with his run-stuffing ability, while Proctor provides a high-ceiling developmental prospect behind Devonte Wyatt. He could learn from Hargrave—a former third-round FCS star himself—and potentially contribute early as a situational pass-rusher. This combination directly addresses the Packers' most pressing need with both immediate help and future promise.