Why NFL Exec Is 'Worried' About Packers After 2026 NFL Draft, Free Agency Moves

After making just six picks in the 2026 NFL draft on the heels of not doing a lot in free agency, the Green Bay Packers are receiving some nervous energy from people within the league going into next season.

Per The Athletic's Mike Sando, one league executive explained why they are "worried" about the Packers' roster right now:

"I'm a little worried about them. Taking a step back, it's depending on how some of the guys they already have develop: Jordan Love, Matthew Golden, Christian Watson. They lost a ton on defense in free agency. I'd be worried about the corner position."

The Packers gave up their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys in the Micah Parsons trade. They made just one pick each from rounds two through five, with their top choice being cornerback Brandon Cisse at No. 52 overall.

B/R's Daniel Harms did compare Cisse to Jaycee Horn in his scouting report for the South Carolina standout, so the Packers are betting big on his upside translating to the NFL quickly.

Green Bay only signed seven players in free agency, with the biggest investment being a two-year, $23 million deal for Javon Hargrave.

The two pass-catchers mentioned by the executive are going to be huge in determining how high the Packers' offensive ceiling is in 2026. Watson has been a big-play machine throughout his career, averaging 17.0 yards per reception with 22 total touchdowns in 48 games.

Health has always been the primary thing holding Watson back. He has missed at least two games in each of his first four seasons, including seven during the 2025 campaign.

Golden was the Packers' first wide receiver taken in the round one since 2002 when he was selected No. 23 overall last year. He didn't make much of an imprint as a rookie with 361 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games.

The Packers are putting more of an onus on the duo of Watson and Golden after trading Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles and losing Romeo Doubs in free agency to the New England Patriots.

Another big X factor in the passing game will be the return of tight end Tucker Kraft, who tore his ACL in Week 9 last season. He was on pace for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns over 17 games at the time of the injury.

Parson' return from a torn ACL, suffered in Week 15, will help determine the ceiling for their defense. He is expected to miss the first three to four games next season while rehabbing the injury, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.

The Packers faded down the stretch last season as their injuries began to pile up, resulting in a loss to the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round. They didn't seem to get appreciably better in free agency or the draft, leaving their upside going into 2026 unclear until we see how players like Watson and Golden can take a step forward and Parsons and Kraft pick up where they left off prior to the injuries.