The Green Bay Packers entered the 2026 draft with eight selections and exited with six. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as general manager in 2018, that was the fewest number of selections in any draft where he’s been in control.
As the offseason stretches on into OTAs, one question will start to gain clarity in the coming months: How many of Green Bay’s 2026 draft picks could be starting in Week 1?
Brandon Cisse
Let’s run this down in order and start with second-round pick Brandon Cisse.
The Packers took Cisse 52nd overall when he became the perfect Packers faller. Green Bay saw plenty of value in selecting Cisse where it did, and he also addresses a key position of need at cornerback.
Keisean Nixon will be starting at one of the cornerback spots for Jonathan Gannon’s defense. After that, everything is up for grabs.
Carrington Valentine could have an advantage over other cornerbacks because he started last year for the Packers and has been on the team for the past three years. It’s equally possible that Valentine starting last year will matter little with a new defensive coordinator in Gannon taking over.
Valentine will still be in the mix to land a starting spot along with Cisse and veteran Benjamin St-Juste. St-Juste is coming off a great year with the Los Angeles Chargers, but did so in a reserve role.
Cisse can start immediately thanks to his high football IQ, solid closing speed, and willingness as a run defender. Despite being just 20, even if he doesn’t start Day 1, Cisse will have a role in 2026 other than just being a filler piece.
Chris McClellan
In the third round, the Packers took Missouri defensive lineman Chris McClellan. With Gannon already stating he won’t pigeonhole players by reducing Green Bay’s defense to a single label, the expectation is that Gannon’s defense will operate out of a 3-4 base. With that being the case and the expectation that there will be plenty of five-man defensive fronts, let’s look at McClellan’s chances.
On the interior of the defensive line, Devonte Wyatt will start at one defensive end spot. Free agent Javon Hargrave will claim another one of those starting spots.
The looming question is where Hargrave will start. Last year in Minnesota, Hargrave started at defensive tackle. When Hargrave played for Gannon in Philadelphia, he was primarily a defensive end.
If it’s defensive end for Hargrave, the battle at defensive tackle likely comes down to McClellan, 2025 sixth-round selection Warren Brinson, and 2025 undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse. If it’s defensive tackle for Hargrave, the battle for the spot at the other end likely comes down to McClellan, Brinson, and Karl Brooks.
McClellan’s versatility in playing defensive tackle or end increases his chances of becoming a starter sooner than later. Like Cisse, there will be an opportunity for McClellan to win a starting gig outright in training camp and the preseason.
Dani Dennis-Sutton
The Packers took Penn State defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton in Round 4, and his biggest impact as a rookie could be on special teams.
Dennis-Sutton led all of FBS football last year with three blocked punts. He could also have a go at earning some run at outside linebacker early on.
Micah Parsons will miss the start of the season, and Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare are gone. Lukas Van Ness will undoubtedly claim one of the starting spots. That second one will be up for grabs until Parsons returns.
Odds are Barryn Sorrell and Brenton Cox Jr. will get first crack at that opening, but if Dennis-Sutton really pops this summer, it’s not impossible that he could have his name called. It’s just far less likely Dennis-Sutton is a Week 1 starter compared to the situations of Cisse and McClellan.
Jager Burton
Jager Burton was a perfect description of a typical Packers pick in the fifth round. Burton started 23 games at left guard at Kentucky while logging nine starts at right guard and 15 at center.
Green Bay values that versatility. Still, unless there is an injury or even multiple injuries, Burton will be a reserve as a rookie. The starting five of Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, and Zach Tom is locked in.
Domani Jackson
Domani Jackson, the first of two sixth-round picks, is in a similar if not entirely comparable situation.The similarity with Burton’s situation is that Jackson won’t be a starter in Week 1. The differences are that Jackson could be battling for a roster spot, while Burton feels pretty safe to make the team. Either way, Jackson isn’t in a position where he’s vying for a starting spot at cornerback in Week 1.
Trey Smack
Trey Smack‘s situation is straightforward. The Packers have already released Brandon McManus, clearing the way for Smack. What was thought to be a kicking battle with the veteran McManus and the rookie Smack has now turned into more of a formality, with Lucas Havrisik technically still in the picture.
Smack will be the starter, though.
Which rookies will start?
Ultimately, that makes it possible that three of Green Bay’s six draft picks could be starting in Week 1 with Cisse at cornerback, McClellan at defensive line, and Smack all but locked in at kicker. Dennis-Sutton has an outside shot on the edge of the defensive line.
It could be as few as one with just Smack, but even if that’s the case, Cisse and McClellan will have significant roles right away.
