The Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst have had a rollercoaster offseason thus far. With the 2026 NFL Draft coming up quickly, there are still a lot of holes that need to be filled.
So far this offseason, the Packers have watched numerous key players from last season leave town. Among those players are wide receiver Romeo Doubs, center Elgton Jenkins, linebacker Quay Walker, cornerback Nate Hobbs, pass rusher Rashan Gary, quarterback Malik Willis, and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker.
Green Bay has made a few moves to bring in talent. Gutekunst signed cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and return man Skyy Moore in free agency. He also brought in linebacker Zaire Franklin via a trade with the Indianapolis Colts.
Clearly, there have been more losses than additions. For the Packers to be a top-tier Super Bowl contender in 2026, more moves need to be made.
Keeping that in mind, the cornerback position is one of the biggest needs on the roster right now. That position could very well be addressed with Green Bay’s first pick at No. 52 overall in the second round of the draft.
Packers Land New Prediction to Add Elite Defensive Playmaker
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner has weighed in with his predictions for the first 100 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has the Packers taking a cornerback at No. 52 overall.
That cornerback is none other than Indiana Hoosiers standout D’Angelo Ponds.
Ponds was a huge part of the Hoosiers’ success during the 2025 college football season. He was a key leader for the team’s elite defense that was a big part of their National Championship win. While he may be undersized, he plays much bigger than his height.
What Would D’Angelo Ponds Bring to Green Bay’s Defense?
Standing in at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Ponds produced 60 total tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 10 defended passes during the 2025 campaign. He totaled 167 tackles, a forced fumble, seven interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and 31 defended passes across his three college football seasons.
Bringing in an elite coverage corner is a must for the Packers. Ponds may not be able to be elite in the NFL right off the bat, but his experience and talent should make him a player who could handle a role as a rookie.
The Ringer has compared Ponds to former NFL star cornerback Ronde Barber.
“Ponds’s college tape and overall game compare well to those of Hall of Fame corner Ronde Barber, who made up for his lack of size with great instincts, toughness, and ball skills. There’s a greater chance of Ponds moving to the slot than of him staying on the outside, and he’s more than capable of making that transition early in his career.”
At the end of the day, Green Bay badly needs help in the secondary. Ponds could be the piece that helps fix that problem for the future.
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