2026 NFL Mock Draft

Selection Comment - Pick #27

Return to Mock Draft

Green Bay
Austin Barber
27

Florida

OT



2025 Draft Grade: B
After two decades of reluctance to pick up fancy offensive weapons at the top of the NFL Draft, the Packers flipped the script in 2025, grabbing the fastest receiver at the Combine, Texas' Matthew Golden, in Round 1, and adding a beast of an X body in TCU's Savion Williams in Round 3. With Christian Watson chronically hurt, both young receivers figure to get some reps and targets. In between, they burnished their protection for developing star QB Jordan Love with massive and versatile NC State OL Anthony Belton.

Basically, the Pack chose to roll it back with their Top 5-rated defense from 2024 while adding weapons for the offensive fireworks show that is the NFC North. It's a move that may ruffle some in the staid ranks of Packers owner/fans, but I for one applaud it. The NFC North is on the cusp of replacing the AFC West as the best shootout in the league, and this can only help.

After frontloading the offense for the first two nights, the Packers did turn their attention toward defense with some solid grabs on Day 3. Texas power Edge Barryn Sorrell appears to be a good complementary fit in the Fourth Round, Oklahoma State rush Linebacker Collin Oliver added athleticism in the Fifth and Georgia DL Warren Brinson looks like a value grab in the Sixth. Tulane CB Micah Robinson is undersized but speedy, while Cincy LT John Williams (Round 7) looks like a classic Packers conversion project to Guard.

Looking ahead - 2026 Draft


Given the team's history, 2025 must be considered an anomaly in Lambeau. Look for an Edge or O-Tackle to headline next year's report card. On the OL, both Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom are free agents in 2026. It will require a large chunk of salary cap to keep both, but the addition of Belton gives the team a little flex in the event one won't fit in under the cap. At Edge, Lukas Van Ness has underperformed expectations since being drafted in RD1 of 2023, and depth is not the best at a position that requires a rotation of 4 to be truly successful.




Copyright 2010-2026 Drafttek.com