Packers Mock Draft Monday: Reaches, Steals & One Tempting QB Swing 👀
It’s Mock Draft Monday on Cheesehead TV, and Newt Westen is running all eight picks for the Green Bay Packers—with plenty of second-guessing along the way.
By PackerAaron
Cheesehead TV is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or the National Football League.
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Comments (28)
golfpacker61
January 19, 2026 at 08:50 am
While I fully am on board with the trade for Micah Parsons as he can transform the entire defense, we still have to admit having our first pick @ # 52 really makes that choice crucial for the whole draft. No best player available here unless it's a position of need, CB or DT. We are in dire need of NFL caliber CBs, so in your mock, Neal from Arkansas was the best choice because all of the top 10 CBs will be gone by our 3rd round pick. We absolutely need a top CB through the draft because we have limited $$$ to spend on one, so a decent FA is almost out of the question.
WE also desperately need a difference making DT, but in this draft we will again be looking for a diamond in the rough after locking up a really good CB in Neal. Maybe Corleone-Cinn will be available, but as quickly as the top DTs disappeared in last years draft, probably not.
If we don't resign Walker, which we shouldn't if the price is over $7-$8 million per year, LB become a sneaky big need. There is a big dropoff in talent after Walker and Cooper. I won't expound on the huge mistake of selecting Hopper over Payton Wilson in the 2024 draft, who was clearly head and shoulders better than Hopper and would give us an easy upgrade over Walker if we had him on the team. The Steelers love him and got a "steal" because of our mistake. I don't give a damn about his injury history as he was arguably the best LB in the draft that year.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 19, 2026 at 09:30 am
Certainly CB and DT are our biggest needs. It's odd for someone to say they don't care about a draft prospect's injury history, considering that's been a common complaint about Gutey's picks. #7 does leave us in a conundrum. I read someone doing a comp saying he's worth $9MM over a 3 year contract, total. Take him out of MLB and take away the green dot and I think he'd improve.
LambeauPlain
January 19, 2026 at 09:54 am
I think Quay is a solid LB. He was made season long team Captain for a reason.
Hafley gave him a huge shout out for Quay's green dot assignment saying he was doing everything asked. I also believe he'd be better playing the Will because he's good rushing the QB...and not good in pass D.
Whoever is hired to replace Hafley, will have a say if Quay should stay. Personally I like Raheem Morris and Brian Flores...and especially Jim Leonard, who has thrived as Denver Pass Game Coordinator and Assistant HC.
However all three, with DC success in GB, would be HC candidates. Raheem may have decided he's a great DC and not a fit as HC. Kind of like Wade Phillips. Almost always succeeded as DC and poor results as a HC.
dobber
January 19, 2026 at 10:05 am
Morris won't come cheaply (I don't see the Packers being willing to bid on Flores) and might need the Assoc. HC title, but he creates a broad base of connections for assistants on both sides of the ball.
I think there will be a groundswell of support for Leonhard and plenty of competition for him given the success Denver had this season (with really good personnel, I'd add). Look long and hard at Demeco Ryans' assistants in Houston.
jannesbjornson
January 19, 2026 at 09:36 am
Lee Hunter, DT Texas Tech. He will have to try to bribe a CB through free agency. He blew the Hobbs choice and didn't bring anybody onboard with the #3 pick last spring.
Coldworld
January 19, 2026 at 10:11 am
I liked Payton Wilson a lot, but he was off the board medically because he essentially lacks a functioning ACL in one leg. That aside, it’s an odd battle to pick up the cudgel on because he did not have a good season this year if you dig into it.
PFF, for example has Wilson 64th of 88 ILBs and a sub 54 rating. By comparison, McDuffie, who probably kept Hopper off the field, was in the high 60s and 30th. Hopper did not have enough snaps to compare meaningfully.
Volume of tackles, yes, but there’s a way to go and that ACL issue lurking. Add to that the fact that Hopper has never really been given a chance to show what he can do despite looking good in the summer and in brief cameos.
LambeauPlain
January 19, 2026 at 10:26 am
Hopper, like Cooper, is cat quick and a solid tackler the few times I have seen him play.
With Hafley gone, McDuffie may be too. Hafley had great trust in Isaiah to be in the right spot and rarely miss tackles. His cap hit next season is near $5 M and letting him go would be a $1.3 M hit or so? I could see Hafley quickly bringing him to his new team if cut.
I personally really like McDuffie. Solid football player. But he keeps Hopper off the field. I do believe Hopper brings a greater overall skill set.
stockholder
January 19, 2026 at 10:17 am
I prefer Ponds CB . Regardless of his size.
I'm high on Banks even if he was hurt last year.
A NT/DT/DE
And if he loses Walker- A new DC will change things.
Jeff Golday Lb Transfer to Cinn, played DE and OLB
His 4.55 speed and size is perfect for the 4-3-4
The steal is Rodriguez. For back-up.
.
jannesbjornson
January 19, 2026 at 10:57 am
Ponds is a Player.
Ferrari-Driver
January 19, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Golfpacker61,
I assume you are a golfer as am I. I love sports and that stupid game drives me nuts. I played last Friday and missed an 18 inch putt and lost three balls. Score...don't ask.
Starrbrite
January 19, 2026 at 04:04 pm
I’m an addict golfer too. I’ve taken 2nd place twice in the senior state championship and 4th last year. I’m like Lafleur and McDermott; can’t get over the hill.
Ferrari-Driver
January 20, 2026 at 10:04 am
Wow! That is impressive. Don't even think of joining any of my foursomes.
golfpacker61
January 19, 2026 at 06:10 pm
Yeah Ferrari, but you were golfing in January, that alone is a big accomplishment. I live in Iowa and with wind chill it was -30 today. I have done some really dumb things on the golf course as far as playing in the cold, not so many now as I am older, but also not necessarily wiser. Go Pack Go.
Ferrari-Driver
January 20, 2026 at 10:11 am
Hey golfpacker, I don't know if playing in January is an accomplishment, but the weather is pretty accommodating in the Central Coast of California. I played yesterday and the temperature was 74, but my score was 17 points higher with a earthshaking 91 with two penalties. If only the Packers could play a game with only two penalties...two is good in football, golf not so much. Love the game but glad I never had to try to make a living at it.
dobber
January 19, 2026 at 08:51 am
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2026/01/bills-fire-hc-sean-mcdermott
Here's your foil for the Packers' choice.
golfpacker61
January 19, 2026 at 08:58 am
Wow! That is surprising, maybe it was secretly him instead of Josh Allen that had all those turnovers.
jannesbjornson
January 19, 2026 at 09:39 am
McDermott runs the defense and they folded.
Coldworld
January 19, 2026 at 10:13 am
That’s been where he’s been doubted for some years. His defenses have a habit of failing in the post season.
dobber
January 19, 2026 at 09:49 am
He plays hard and with a lot of heart.
Imagine how many TOs if they hadn't started emphasizing Cook in the run game...oops, don't have to. Just look at 2023 and before.
Houndog
January 19, 2026 at 09:08 am
dobber,
My first thought was 'OK, maybe we CAN still trade LaFleur', but then I realized the Bills just fired a guy that was kinda' like LaFleur + 2 years! Why duplicate what you've already had?
jannesbjornson
January 19, 2026 at 09:34 am
Well, they all know the secret handshake from the Frat house on coaches lane.
stockholder
January 19, 2026 at 09:57 am
Now you get to see if Policy was right.
Or the Bills .
dobber
January 19, 2026 at 10:09 am
It's not transferable/transitive, but I think the comparison will be made, yes.
Coldworld
January 19, 2026 at 10:40 am
It’s more interesting as a comparative of how such a similar level of performance is viewed. It says a lot about relative expectations and perspectives.
LambeauPlain
January 19, 2026 at 10:14 am
McDermott's 9 years at the Bills helm: Overall record of 98-50 in the regular season and 8-8 in the playoffs but no SB appearances will get you fired if the Lombardi is the goal.
76-40-1 and 3-7 in the playoffs and no SB appearances will get you a multi-year, pay raise in scores of $millions, no contract stipulations for action plans to improve and 2nd level power in the Football Operation, and LT security if making the playoffs is your goal.
Great gig if you can get it!
dobber
January 19, 2026 at 10:34 am
As much as they say it's a multi-year, long-term commitment for LaF, I see it as two years to break through. I guess two could be viewed as "multi".
bjb2012sime
January 19, 2026 at 10:33 am
MLF is McDermott Lite.
Bills have the balls Packers lack.
gsd3
January 20, 2026 at 07:30 am
Lee Hunter DT
Julian Neal CB
Pat Coogan C
To me , that would be a good start.