Packers Linked to Rising Edge Rusher to Wreak Havoc in NFC North

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system is predicated on dominant cornerback play, and any strong secondary’s best asset is a dominant pass rush.

Green Bay is still looking to find that consistency up front, despite missing out on some of the top edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft, and hoping that the likes of Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness step up and become difference makers, there is significant pressure on the pass rushers on the roster to perform this fall.

Could the Green Bay Packers Take a First-Round Edge Rusher in 2026?

Over at ESPN, Matt Miller put together an early 2026 NFL Mock Draft, with the Packers finally addressing a big need at edge rusher, selecting LT Overton, out of Alabama, with the No. 19 overall pick.

“When the Packers broke their 20-plus-year first-round receiver drought by selecting Matthew Golden in 2025,” Miller writes for ESPN. “They bypassed a need on the edge. So edge rush help should be a priority for Green Bay in 2026, and Overton fits what Packers GM Brian Gutekunst likes at the position.

“The 6-foot-5, 283-pounder is big, long and versatile and likely would have been a top-50 pick had he entered the 2025 draft. But he returned to Bama to develop his game, refine his pass-rush moves to better match his speed-to-power flashes and improve on the two sacks he had in 2024.”

Overton is a raw talent with significant upside, though he has only posted three sacks through his first three collegiate seasons. However, similar to wide receiver last spring, the Packers have few more glaring needs than edge rusher as the 2025 season approaches and could look to fill it with an early pick in 2026.