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. It is 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 a few more glaring needs than edge-rusher as the 2025 season approaches and could look to fill it with an early pick in 2026.