2026 NFL Draft Day 3: Packers trade up to take a kicker with final pick

GREEN BAY — After adding two players on Day 2 of the draft — cornerback Brandon Cisse and defensive tackle Chris McClellan — the Green Bay Packers, with their first selection (round 4, pick 120) on Day 3, chose Dani Dennis-Sutton, an edge rusher out of Penn State.

This gives the Packers much-needed depth at edge as Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL, Rashan Gary was traded to Dallas and JJ Enagbare signed with the Jets.

Packers director of player personnel John Wojciechowski said the Packers were surprised that Dennis-Sutton was still on the board:

"For as productive as he was as a player in college, and his ability, and he still has upside to go with it, yes, we were absolutely surprised," he said. "I think he's an all-around player."

Dennis-Sutton was a starter over the last two seasons at Penn State, where he amassed 25 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks. This year, he led the Big Ten in pressures per game (3.8).

He also was very useful on special teams, blocking three punts this past season.

Here’s The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s scouting report on Green Bay’s new edge rusher:

"Dennis-Sutton will find sack production harder to come by against NFL blocking, but he is a commanding presence and has the size, strength and quickness to be a force player on the edge. He will be more appealing to teams looking for a “high-floor” role player, as opposed to a “high-ceiling” pass rusher."

In the fifth round, at pick 153 the Packers selected center Jager Burton, a fifth-year senior out of Kentucky.

Burton was a four year starter at Kentucky. He played at both guard and center during his time there, but stuck at center for his final season.

Here’s Brugler’s scouting report:

“Burton needs to continue developing his sustain skills and the mental aspects of the position, but he is a quick-win blocker with position flexibility across the interior. He offers intriguing value for zone-based schemes on Day 3.”

In the sixth round — 201st overall — the Packers added their second cornerback of the draft by selecting Alabama’s Domani Jackson, who was a two-year starter after transferring from USC.

This year he had 39 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1 PBU. He was benched at one point during the season, but earned his starting spot back.

Here’s Brugler’s scouting report:

“Overall, Jackson is a battle-tested size-speed athlete, but his inconsistent eye discipline and short-area movements held him back on his college tape. Improvements in those areas — and a role on special teams — can get him on an NFL roster.”

The Green and Gold traded back into the sixth round giving up their two seventh round picks and gave Brandon McManus some competition, picking Florida kicker Trey Smack with pick 216.

Smack was the kicker for the Gators over the last three years, making 82% of his field goals. Smack holds the school record of kicks made from 50 yards or more (10) in total he made10/13 (76.92%.) from 50 yards or more.

He was Brugler’s No. 1 rated kicker.