Every NFL draft brings a wave of new talent, and the Green Bay Packers are no exception. As we continue our series breaking down the team’s 2026 rookie class, today’s spotlight shines on a gritty interior lineman who might just become a fan favorite: Jager Burton, the center out of Kentucky.
If you’ve been following the Packers’ draft trends, you know they love athletes who can move. Burton fits that mold perfectly. While he’s a tad undersized for a center, standing at 6’3”, he makes up for it with elite movement skills and surprising athleticism. He played all three interior line positions during his college career but really found his home at center during his senior season, delivering his best football when it mattered most.
Burton’s build has earned him the fitting nickname “Moose”—exactly the kind of moniker you want for a guy who anchors the offensive line. And here’s a fun fact: it’s also the name of an early shoegaze band credited with coining the genre’s label. But let’s stick to football, where Burton’s performance speaks volumes.
According to Dane Brugler’s draft guide, “The Beast,” Burton didn’t allow a single sack during the 2025 season. If you watched Kentucky’s quarterbacks last year, you know that’s no small feat. It’s a testament to his tenacity and technique in pass protection.
So, what kind of player are the Packers getting? Let’s break down the tape, starting with the areas he needs to clean up.
Burton has a habit of firing low off the line. While that can help with pad level, it sometimes leads him to drop his head and lunge forward, throwing him off balance and losing sight of his target. He has quick feet and can recover in some instances, but there are too many plays where he simply misses the block or can’t reset in time.
When moving to the second level, Burton shows good mobility but lacks confidence in space. He struggles to line up moving targets, leading to a variety of missed blocks. His toughest outing was against Texas, where these issues were on full display. Still, for a fifth-round pick, his upside as a mobile, athletic center is hard to ignore—especially in a league that values versatility and quickness on the interior.
Whether you’re a die-hard Packers fan or just love a good underdog story, Jager Burton is a name to watch. And if you’re looking to gear up for the season, we’ve got the apparel to match your game-day spirit.