The Green Bay Packers know that making the playoffs is no longer good enough for their fan base. In a city nicknamed “Title Town” three years of first or second round exits in the playoffs is getting old. In 2026, Green Bay is looking to lock down a top seed in the NFC and go on a deep run in the post-season.
However, there is one position that needs to be addressed before they get there.
Packers Need To Address One Major Position Before The Start Of The 2026 Season
Under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, the Packers will switch from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base defense.
The Packers did make moves at defensive tackle this offseason. They traded Warren Brinson to the Colts in the deal that brought linebacker Zaire Franklin to Green Bay. The also signed free agent Javon Hargrave who will provide more push in the pass rush along the interior. But the team hasn’t added a pure nose tackle.
While it’s possible Gutekunst will add a low-cost free agent or a post-June 1st cut before the start of training camp, the draft would be the most likely source to acquire a nose tackle to fit Gannon’s scheme.
There are two highly regarded players the Packers could target on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft (since they don’t have a first-round pick this year or in 2027). One is Domonique Orange out of Iowa State. Nicknamed “Big Citrus”, Orange has great size to clog up the middle at 6’2” and 325 pounds. Orange can provide both run stopping ability and get some push as a pass rusher. He recorded 4.5 sacks in 2024 while still playing the run well.
The other top candidate who can help immediately at nose tackle would be Christen Miller out of Georgia. We all know how much Gutekunst loves Georgia players and Miller would add to the team’s Bulldog alums. Some scouts see some Kenny Clark in Miller, a player who could both stop the run and penetrate to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
This will be one of the key positions to watch as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. Green Bay knew the type of defense Gannon wanted to run upon hiring him so this isn’t new information for the team. However, the lack of bodies at this position can certainly be concerning.
Nose tackle is not considered a premium need by many NFL teams. Nevertheless, the Packers’ new defense creates a glaring need of one (or two). Expect Brian Gutekunst to make a move at this position sooner rather than later.
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