The Green Bay Packers opted not to bring in a new backup after Malik Willis left in free agency, fueling talk that they could look to add a quarterback in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. After a quiet stretch with little direction, signs now point to the team focusing on Kyron Drones, a prospect out of Virginia Tech, as a possible late-round pick.
During the pre-draft process, the Green Bay Packers held meetings with just two quarterbacks. One was Behren Morton of Texas Tech, while the other remained unnamed at the time, described as a prospect “asked not to report,” per Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Huber later revealed that the previously unidentified player was Kyron Drones.
Even though Drones hasn’t drawn much attention in draft discussions, he has seemingly emerged as a preferred Day Three option for the Packers. Most projections view him as a priority free agent, with only a handful of mock drafts placing him in the seventh round, but he caught the interest of Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst enough for the team to bring him in for a top-30 visit.
Kyron Drones fit with the Green Bay Packers
The 22-year-old Kyron Drones closed out his college career with Virginia Tech by throwing for 1,919 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2025. Known for his mobility and toughness, he also made an impact on the ground, finishing with 644 rushing yards and a personal-best nine rushing scores in his final season with the Hokies.
After a quiet freshman year at Baylor, Drones broke out in 2023 during his first season with Virginia Tech. That strong showing raised expectations that he could emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in college football, but he ultimately could not replicate that level of production in the seasons that followed.
Drones still intrigues some decision-makers because of his frame, mobility, and dual-threat skill set, with Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers among those who believe he can develop into a reliable NFL option with the right coaching and system.