The Green Bay Packers went defense with their first two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected cornerback Brandon Cisse in the second round, and defensive tackle Chris McClellan in the third round, on Friday, April 24.
Both are positions of need for a unit undergoing significant personnel change, so the rookies should be able to get an opportunity to contribute and show their value under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
What do the experts and national media say about the picks for the Packers?
Here’s a sample of the reactions from a variety of outlets:
USA TODAY grades Packers picks
USA TODAY’s NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz graded both the picks of Cisse and McClellan as a “B-.” He sees the potential in both players but notes there could be some growing pains and fans shouldn’t expect immediate results.
On Cisse: “Fast, long and dynamic. Cisse clears the bar for what (general manager) Brian Gutekunst seeks from his cornerbacks. Instant returns shouldn’t be expected, as his instincts are underdeveloped. But the Packers continue to focus on the long term.”
On McClellan: “Another classic Gutekunst pick. McClellan has the frame to make waves on the interior, though he’s fairly inconsistent in several phases. He can help set the tone up front even if he never becomes much of disruptor.”
Sports Illustrated’s analysis of Packers picks of Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan
Sports Illustrated reporter Matt Verderame didn’t give a grade for the Packers, but he provided analysis for both of the picks. Overall, he likes the attributes that Cisse and McClellan, whom the Packers traded up to get, will provide at their positions and expects both to step into productive roles for the team:
On Cisse, he notes that “at 5′ 11″ and 189 pounds, Cisse is a bit on the small side but plays with physicality, showing an eagerness to play against the run while also doing well in press coverage.”
As far as his fit with the Packers, Verderame says “Green Bay needed to fill out its secondary after releasing corner Nate Hobbs, and did so with the addition of Cisse. The Packers are going to pair Cisse with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, giving new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon another piece to deploy.”
On McClellan, who weighs 313 pounds, he calls him a “hulking defensive tackle.” He notes that McClellan’s 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks during his college career shows he can “penetrate and be a problem for opposing offensive lines in the pass game.”
As far as his fit with the Packers, Verderame says “Green Bay needed to find some juice on the interior of its defensive line to pair with Devonte Wyatt. Expect McClellan to rotate with veteran Javon Hargrave, giving the Packers some depth at a spot it was weak at in 2025 after trading away Kenny Clark in the Micah Parsons deal.”
Bleacher Report: Packers grades for Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan
Bleacher Report gives the Packers a “C” for their second-round pick of Cisse and a “B” for their third-round pick of McClellan.
Why Brandon Cisse gets a “C” grade:
Reporter Brent Sobleski recognizes that Cisse fills a premium position for the Packers and called him “an explosive athlete” and “smooth mover” on the field, but he’s cautious about how the young cornerback fits in the system and also highlights the 20-year-old’s rawness.
“The Pack will now transition to (Jonathan Gannon’s) scheme after Jeff Hafley became the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. Interestingly, Cisse could have developmental problems in Green Bay, because (Gannon’s) approach is built upon coverage disguises and dropping more into coverage to confuse opposing quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the incoming rookie isn’t as polished in his recognition.
“The best is still ahead for Cisse, who doesn’t turn 21 until July. He started two seasons at the collegiate level. But he clearly has significant room for development.
The Bleacher Report reporter added that Cisse has “little wasted movement in his backpedal and hip turn” but that he’ll need “to improve his feel for multiple different coverages, but that’s expected as he matures and gets more reps.”
Why Chris McClellan gets a “B” grade:
Sobleski appears to be higher on McClellan because he’s more NFL ready:
“Missouri’s Chris McClellan may not have the traditional build or skill set to man the middle, but Colby Wooden didn’t, either. McClellan has more mass and strength than Wooden did.”
The Packers traded the former fourth-rounder Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts this offseason for linebacker Zaire Franklin, plus Green Bay is still trying to restock after trading away defensive tackle Kenny Clark last August in the Parsons trade.
Sobleski adds: “At 6’4″ and 313 pounds, the second-team All-SEC performer can get up the field and make some plays, with six sacks last season. McClellan should fit nicely alongside Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks and Javon Hargrave.”
CBS Sports: Packers get A- grade for Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan picks
The Packers earned the highest grade from CBS Sports’ Mike Renner.
On CBS Sports’ website, regarding the Packers’ first two picks of the draft “there were no qualms to be had with the value they found in Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan, both of whom fill defensive needs.”
Noting Cisse is only 20 years old – he turns 21 before training camp in July starts – “the Packers have plenty of time to mold him into the kind of cornerback they want.”
And while Bleacher Report questioned Cisse’s fit in the Packers’ system, Renner feels Cisse is a great fit for the Packers, who he notes use a heavy off-zone coverage. That, he says, is Cisse’s strength.
“That’s a pretty nice pick for a team that had to wait until the 50s to make its first selection,” the site notes.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What grades did the Packers get for second and third-round picks?
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
