The Green Bay Packers enter next week’s draft with two obvious needs at defensive tackle and cornerback. Both areas received some reinforcement in free agency, as the team added nose tackle Javon Hargrave and corner Benjamin St-Juste last month.
But with Colby Wooden and Nate Hobbs no longer in the mix, those moves mostly balance out rather than meaningfully strengthen either unit, leaving both groups with roughly the same level of depth and impact as before.
The #Packers could potentially be a landing spot for Dexter Lawrence, per @AdamSchefter 👀 pic.twitter.com/0gXxeKliZ8
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) April 15, 2026
With the draft only days away, discussion in Green Bay has shifted to whether the Packers will use the 52nd overall pick to strengthen a key position or look elsewhere in the draft. That pick could also be in play, as the team may opt to move it in a significant trade if a bigger opportunity arises.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Packers could be in the mix for a potential trade target, with All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants emerging as a name to watch. Schefter listed Green Bay among the teams that may explore a move for the standout interior defender, adding intrigue ahead of the draft.
Dexter Lawrence fit with the Green Bay Packers
Lawrence stands out as one of the rare nose tackles who can also impact the passing game, recording an impressive nine sacks in 2024 despite missing five games.
A persistent elbow problem that surfaced late in the 2024 season appeared to noticeably limit his impact throughout 2025. He ended the year with only 0.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and a personal worst of 38 total tackles.
Green Bay would be an ideal landing spot for Lawrence, who has developed into one of the most dominant defensive tackles in football over the past five years. The Packers already feature Devonte Wyatt at the three-technique spot, and he has shown steady growth each season since being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pairing Lawrence with Wyatt would give the Packers one of the league’s most formidable interior defensive lines, capable of collapsing pockets and stuffing the run. While the elbow concerns from 2025 warrant attention, Lawrence’s proven dominance when healthy makes him worth the risk for a team trying to elevate its defense.