This Position Remains the Green Bay Packers Biggest Need
By GilMartin
The main part of free agency is over, and the 2026 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, but the Green Bay Packers still haven’t addressed a major need on this roster. The team lacks a legitimate number one cover corner. In fact, it’s safe to say the team hasn’t had one for more than a year since Jaire Alexander was slowed and eventually saw his career end due to recurring injuries. GM Brian Gutekunst added depth in free agency, but a number one corner remains an important need.
The Packers defense got off to a strong start last season without a number one cornerback. But that weakness was exposed later in the season when Micah Parsons was injured and Rashan Gary stopped reaching the quarterback. With more time to throw, the lack of a shutdown cornerback proved to be too much for the Packers to overcome. The secondary gave up important long passes late in too many games including the playoff loss to Chicago. This was one of several reasons for the Packers late season collapse.
The Packers best cornerback on the roster now remains Keisean Nixon. Nixon would be considered a solid number two cornerback, but he isn’t consistent enough to be considered a legitimate number one. Nixon had some great games but also had too many games where he was beaten badly in important situations.
The former South Carolina star broke up 17 passes last season, including five in one game against the Commanders. Keep in mind, in his first six seasons in the league, he broke up a combined total of 16. However, opposing quarterbacks completed 64.4 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Nixon according to pro-football-reference.com. Their quarterback rating was 105.1, the worst mark out of Nixon’s three seasons in Green Bay.
Nixon is not an elite cover corner and he’s not a ballhawk either. He intercepted just one pass in 2025 which ties his career high for a season. In seven years in the NFL, he has intercepted a total of four passes.
The other cornerbacks fighting for the starting job opposite Nixon on the boundary are returning fourth-year man Carrington Valentine and newly signed free agent addition Benjamin St-Juste. While both are capable of starting, neither would be considered a number one cover corner by most NFL scouts.
The 2026 season will be the final year on Nixon’s contract. His cap hit remains a reasonable $7.16 million for this year. But it will also likely be his final season in Green Bay. Nixon turns 29 in June and would be 30 before any potential extension with the Packers would take effect. Gutekunst only hands out third contracts to a select few players and unless you look at his statistics as a kick returner (something Nixon no longer wishes to do), he really doesn’t meet the standards to sign another contract in Green Bay. Furthermore, even if he did, he wouldn’t solve the need for a legitimate number one cover corner.
Valentine’s rookie contract also ends after the 2026 campaign. So, after next season, two of the top three boundary corners currently on the roster may not be back. So not only do the Packers need an elite cover corner, but they need more potential starters at the position by 2027.
Clearly, cornerback remains one of the highest needs for the Packers entering the draft later this month. While the Pack doesn’t have a first round pick, there are several strong cover corners who could be available for them to pick in the second or third rounds. Don’t be surprised if Gutekunst doubles down at the position at some point in the draft.
Teams have won championships in the NFL without an elite cover corner. But you need a strong pass rush and strong depth across the corner room to get it done. Pass defense is a weak link system and if you have a vulnerable player out there, opposing coaches and quarterbacks will find a way to exploit that weakness.
The sooner Gutekunst can address the cornerback position the better. I’d expect multiple draft picks in 2026 and again in 2027 with the possibility of a free agent signee next offseason added to the mix as well. This is one area the Packers must address.
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Comments (28)
golfpacker61
April 04, 2026 at 10:03 am
In my view CB is the weakest position group on our team, by far. I am the #1 guy who looks to trade back if possible for more swings of the bat, but as much of an opportunity it would be to trade back from #52 and gain crucial extra picks and still get a potential starter @ CB, I have come to realize GB could draft an Edge with #52 that could start day 1, and that's a big need too. GB wouldn't have to rush Parsons back and before he is ready. And we could still get a potential starting CB @ #84 because there are just more solid CBs available from pick 50 all the way to 120. Maybe a move back from #84 or #120.
The Packers should grab 1 of Jacas, Dennis-Sutton, or Moore @ #52 because they could all start next year in GB. Then I would select a CB from Igbinosun, Lee, Muhammed, Davis, Demmings, or Everette. All have enough talent to start in GB in 2026. We could use 2 from the draft or 1-draft & 1 UFDA.
Maybe 1 more vet CB if Rasul Douglas or Trevon Diggs is available for $3 million, Diggs only if healthy. Either would be great leaders and teachers for younger players.
Good pass rush will make DBs look above average, Sign Clowney or Epenesa at Edge and sign Calais Campbell.
Starrbrite
April 04, 2026 at 09:49 pm
Would love to have Calias Campbell.
I have to take your word, et al regarding the best draft picks.
pantz_bURp
April 04, 2026 at 10:12 am
"This Position Remains the Green Bay Packers Biggest Need"
Head Coach...final answer.
XXXOOOs,
Pantz
Coldworld
April 04, 2026 at 10:57 am
I’d have agreed with you until this from Policy last week. Clearly policy doesn’t read NFLPA reports (we now know LaFleur atleast does that) or share our widespread frustration at the lack of internal development.
"Matt is a teacher. He's a natural at it. His parents were both teachers. Just watching him develop players as individuals and then, more importantly, develop those individuals into teams over the last seven years, I've been very impressed with him in particular at the quarterback position”
“That, coupled with the locker room supports him, from Jordan (Love) to the rest of the locker room.” I think he's the winningest -- you guys can correct me if I'm wrong -- in his time in the league as a head coach, I think he's the winningest NFC coach and I think the third-winningest coach in the NFL in those seven years. … Frankly, the fact that I was being asked, is firing him even an option at that point? I was a little bit shocked by that."
I wonder if Policy watches the same team as I do or even really understands the sport (not business) of football. Quite an astonishing take if genuine, to support a quite astonishing decision to retain not only LaFleur and Gute, but the structure.
Does this sound like a man with the kind of clear vision and feel that you want devising football decisions when LaFleur, Gute and Ball can not reach consensus, let alone evaluating them individually?
Since'75
April 05, 2026 at 10:12 am
Good read CW....
It brought my mind to a silly question i asked myself.
With MLF/Gute extensions, who is going to last longer with the Packers,
MLF/Gute, or Ed Policy?
Since'75
April 08, 2026 at 07:29 pm
"I wonder if Policy watches the same team as I do or even really understands the sport (not business) of football." - CW
Gee, i hope he understands football, he's in charge of football operations...right Murph?
Oxymoron 3339
April 05, 2026 at 08:45 pm
GM
splitpea1
April 04, 2026 at 10:16 am
Doubling down probably isn't a bad idea since both Nixon and Valentine will be free agents after the season. Two possibilities were mentioned in a previous podcast: Cisse and Prysock. Cisse has great speed and excels in man, but zone defense and tackling will take a little work. Maybe he doesn't make it to the Packers anyway in the second round. On the back end of the double down, Prysock is intriguing with his length, flexibility, and big wingspan. Although he's very experienced, he's more of a project, and another one (like Stokes) with poor ball-tracking skills; very few interceptions as well.
HarryHodag
April 04, 2026 at 10:37 am
Read an interesting story about DePere native and Seahawks GM John Schneider(maybe it was here, aging brain) who said they changed their philosophy about drafting. For years they had drafted to fill a need and always fell short of the ultimate goal. They dumped the 'need' for 'best player available', or a difference maker regardless of position. The results came true in February with a Super Bowl win.
They weren't in a real need for a wide receiver but selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023 who has recently set the NFL on fire. This is more closely aligned to the ways of Ted Thompson. One example is when TT drafted Greg Jennings. The Packers faithful(me included) howled in disbelief. Jennings did very well, even though the Packers had 'needs' elsewhere.( Jennings carped about the Packers and won't be forgiven for going to the Vikings)
Food for thought.
Swisch
April 04, 2026 at 08:42 pm
I'm a big fan of Greg Jennings in his time with the Packers (while not knowing much about the behind-the-scenes stuff).
What I'd like to say about him is that he was worthy of MVP in the Super Bowl win against the Steelers. So was Aaron Rodgers. That combo was awesome that excellent day.
Since'75
April 05, 2026 at 10:23 am
Food for thought......
I agree in general, i think both principles have their place in the draft.
Although i draw a distinction between bpa/ impact player
The caveat being. is if you think a player (not of need) is a impact player, then you draft him..
But, drafting for need is also important to fill holes.
God knows we have plenty of those.
Swisch
April 05, 2026 at 03:21 pm
I agree, Since'75.
Oftentimes in life it's not either/or but some of both.
stockholder
April 04, 2026 at 11:52 am
I disagree- CB has been Gute's
biggest disappointments.
The swings and misses are defeating the purpose!
Nixon will only get better at CB.
The problem is paying a cb who has not peaked yet.
The other problem with this-
we pick @52, and any CB will be a project.
Drafting depth is needed throughout the roster.
Take the Gem at 52 regardless of position.
What this really means is we lost NO CBs.
Focusing on cbs; is looking pass the guy Gute should have taken.
Example TJ Watt vs King
PhantomII
April 08, 2026 at 09:00 pm
That was TT swan song.
golfpacker61
April 04, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Latest mock-see if you like or dislike.
52. Gabe Jacas-EDGE Illinois-Stayed out for a great fit Edge
95. Charlie Demmings-CB Stephen F. Austin-moved back for picks
132. Sam Roush-TE Stanford-moved back & got huge upgrade on Musgrave making him expendable to trade
158. Trey Zuhn III-OC Texas A&M-All-SEC @ LT & plays OG & Center
160. Daylen Everette-CB Georgia-1 of my favorite CBs
190. Zxavian Harris-DT Ole Miss-Run stuffer/kick blocker with upside
201. Logan Taylor-OG Boston College- versatile plays OT/OG
236. Eric McAlister-WR TCU-is a WOW player X WR
255. DJ Campbell-OG Texas-3 year starter @ Texas-replace Banks in 2027 for cheap
CB room 85% rebuilt, OL depth 100% rebuilt, TE room upgraded, new starter @ Edge, NT filled
Since'75
April 05, 2026 at 10:29 am
I don't know man.....
Can you really say it's 85%, 100% rebuilt, upgraded, NT filled....before these picks ever get into camp, actually make a roster and have proven to be effective in the NFL?
Mock see?.....silly season.
Coldworld
April 05, 2026 at 11:28 am
Lots of viable permutations that give us a chance to be better and deeper at least. Trading back is the big boost to potential in this one, given our needs. Get extra picks and let it come to us. For example:
66.Davison Igbinosun CB Ohio State
84.Domonique Orange DT Iowa State
108.Tacario Davis CB Washington
120.Jonah Coleman RB Washington
170.Max Llewellyn EDGE Iowa
175.Diego Pounds OT Ole Miss
194.Keagen Trost OT Missouri
201.Will Kacmarek TE Ohio State
208.Cole Payton QB North Dakota State
Consensus board. PFSN.
Turophile
April 05, 2026 at 06:52 pm
I like a lot of these picks, Coldworld. Best pick is the last one - love that QB choice, though I think he goes no later than round 5.
My current philosophy is to aim to trade up to pick 45 or 46 but only if the DT/NT Christen Miller is there. The cost is usually our 2nd, a 4th from next year (we should have 4 picks in that round in 2027) and as a sweetener our last pick this year.
If Miller is not there at 45 or 46, while it does depend on who is there at 52, I'm very tempted to do as you did, trade back 10 spots with Denver, pick up an extra 4th this year (one of their picks at 108 or 110) and at pick 62, I take OG Keylan Rutledge as the successor to Aaron Banks. I love his fierce, old-school demeanour......and if anyone takes liberties with Jordan Love in the future, I expect him to be the first one jumping in and pushing back, or worse.......
Oh, and I also use the PFN board most, because I can choose between one of 6 big boards, to give variety to my drafts.
Turophile
April 05, 2026 at 07:11 pm
Here are my 'Famous Five' (or even 'Secret Seven'), which are at this moment in time at least, my fave players.....though tomorrow it might change a bit.
DT Christen Miller
OT Max Iheanchor
OG Keylan Rutledge
TE Sam Roush
QB Cole Payton
Two almost made it candidates
First is C Connor Lew, if he is still there in round 3. He is the best Center in this draft........ and he can sit and fully recover from his ACL for at least part of the season, while Rhyan holds the fort there.
Second is TE Riley Nowakowski. A late pick, only 6'2", but 250lbs, 4.66 speed, great hands, dangerous after the catch and (most important) he holds up as a blocker.
PS. If you wonder why my favourites don't include a CB, its because I like several at different points in the draft, not because I don't like any.
Coldworld
April 06, 2026 at 03:33 pm
Other than Roush, I’d be happy about all of these. My problem with Roush isn’t with him really, it’s due the opportunist where he will likely go and to my belief that we get better most by adding a true blocking (in line and lead) TE to play alongside Kraft. I chose Kacmarek, but Nowakowski is the same (and it was a toss up in my draft above). Either would please me greatly.
As to Payton, he just fell, in this draft, he is normally gone. However, Taylen Green is sometimes available and Haynes King usually is. Alls are, athletic, raw QBs with good arms. They may not beat McCord, but they at least offer competition for a developmental 3rd QB role and a plausible chance to get to the PS unless they are stellar in the summer.
There’s almost no “must have” player for me, but there are several at each position we need that I like. However, only if we go early at DT and CB does it tend to work out positively in my experience and the overall is much better if are willing/able to trade back early.
Turophile
April 07, 2026 at 04:24 am
I really like TE Roush, largely for his 'best-in-class' blocking ability, but he also has his uses as a pass catcher, which is less true for good blockers taken later in the draft.
However, I wouldn't take him with the Packers 3rd round pick. Anything after that is good - which includes any trades that give the Packers a pick higher than their current 4th (at 120). Therefore, he is still probably taken by someone else, before the Packers get a chance at him. Sometimes a good player and where he is likely to be taken, just doesn't line up with the Packers picks, where they are at this time.
Also, a good blocking TEs can be had later in the draft. They don't offer quite as much as Roush, but they give you numerous alternative options later in the draft, like Nowakowski or Boerkircher, or even take Marlin Klein (6'6", 248, 4.61 40), and try to coach up his blocking skills.
I believe the same as you, the the 2nd and 3rd round picks should be DT and CB (either way round), as long as there is good value there, when its time to pick.
When I do mocks (and I do plenty), I often either trade up about 7 spots to get DT/NT Miller, if there, (using our 2nd, a next years 4th and the last 7th this year), or failing that, trade back 10 spots, picking up an extra 4th this year and taking OG Rutledge, and blowing up the DT, CB combo for day 2 picks.
As a draft example. I just did a PFN mock using 'The Athletic' big board, traded back 13 spots from 52 and picked up 65 and 104. I drafted:
65 DT Dominique Orange
84 CB Malik Muhammed
104 OG Keylan Rutledge (still there - thanks, I'll take him)
120 C Connor Lew (again, a bargain down here)
160 QB Cole Payton
201 TE Nate Boerkircher
236 WR Romello Brinson (WR with developmental upside)
255 RB Chip Trayanum (chunky built, powerful RB, again with upside)
I missed out on a good linebacker and edge, but you can't improve every position with limited picks, especially if you don't make reach picks to fill a position. I never planned to take two interior OL, but when Lew was still there at 120, I had to take him.
I would have liked a better DT, but Banks went at 25, Miller at 41 and Hunter at 45, so I traded down and got Big Citrus.
GregC
April 04, 2026 at 02:08 pm
If they need a #1 CB, they're probably out of luck, because they're not likely to get one in the second round of the draft or later. Not one who can take over that role as a rookie, anyway. Let's put it in less dramatic terns and say they need at least one more CB who can contribute this year and be ready to step in as a starter in 2027. I hope they draft a CB in the second or third round and probably another one later in the draft. It looks like this is a good year for CBs in the draft.
Turophile
April 05, 2026 at 08:33 pm
GregC.
As you say, you don't draft a CB just for what they do this year, especially as it won't be a round 1 pick. If you get one on day two (ie round 2 or 3), they MIGHT be able to upgrade the CB room this year, but the reason you draft them is for their production over several years - hopefully even into a second contract.
At this time, St.Juste is probably CB1, so the bar set to be the new CB1 (ie above St.Juste) is lower than you might imagine.
I certainly agree there are multiple choices of decent CBs in rounds 2 and 3.
golfpacker61
April 04, 2026 at 02:18 pm
Greg, if you can play CB in the Big 10 @ Ohio State like Davison Igbinosun, or in the SEC for Texas, Florida, & Alabama, you can start in the NFL too. There will be 1/2 dozen or more that can start in GB at pick #84 or later.
Have faith.
The Chiefs just signed Kaiir Elam, a 2022 first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills out of Florida, who has played four NFL seasons and totaled 114 tackles, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries in 43 games before joining Kansas City. They signed him to a $1.1 million contract, no signing bonus. You can't tell me this guy isn't as good or better than anyone not named St Juste or Nixon. This is the type of signing GB should have made. Is Gutey asleep at the wheel? Cmon man, that is a great deal on a former first round player at our biggest position of need.
GregC
April 04, 2026 at 03:35 pm
Two interceptions in four seasons is not impressive, and tackles and fumble recoveries are not a very good gauge of a CB's effectiveness. In fact, CBs who allow a lot of completions make more tackles than those who don't. Elam is a journeyman. He was traded to the Cowboys in his fourth season and was not able to stick with a bad Cowboys defense, so they waived him, and he was picked up by the Titans.
If you are into the PFF thing, Elam graded out at 56.8 last year, which was 80th out of 114 NFL CBs. I would rather have Carrington Valentine out there.
Since'75
April 05, 2026 at 10:32 am
Yea....Fumble recoveries are more of a product of being in the right place, at the right time.
Forced fumbles are far more impressive.
golfpacker61
April 05, 2026 at 07:22 am
Oh you mean the Dallas Cowboys who make such great personnel decisions all the time. Like trading the 2nd best pass rusher in the league, and then scrambling to try to replace him. The Cowboys who gave up a 4th round pick for Rashan Gary, a player the Packers were cutting anyway. Or the Cowboys, who always wait too long to resign their players and then pay way more to keep them or lose them altogether. Great decision makers, sure.
This CB was an ideal candidate for GB to bring in for cheap and resurrect his career. I sure wouldn't have signed Eric Stokes either, because he looked dead in the water too, but look how that worked out for the Raiders and Stokes. For $1.1 million Elam was worth a try. At least he was healthy.
Coldworld
April 05, 2026 at 08:02 am
I don’t know that I agree in this instance. Partly that’s because I think we need to go with youth at CB. Not that Elam will be old at 25, but he will be older. However, Elam bothers me not so much for his ability to prevent completions but what happens under his watch once one is made. In Dallas he was giving up over 13 yards a completion. Plain and simple, he doesn’t like contact or tackling.
Given that we have Valentine already (who has better pure coverage ratings), Elam is not a reclamation project I’d want us taking on. Go younger and more physical on this occasion please.