The Green Bay Packers sputtered to the finish line in the 2025 NFL season and got bounced out in the first round of the playoffs. On the bright side, the Packers do have a solid roster, and it would not be a surprise if they were back in the mix for the NFC North title in 2026.
The next big event hitting the NFL offseason is the scouting combine, and this is something the Packers must pay special attention to, as the team does not have a first-round pick this year thanks to the Micah Parsons trade.
In short, the front office has to hit on some of these players in the NFL Draft, as not having a first-rounder is a massive disadvantage. The Packers should key in on these three prospects during the combine in particular.
These three players could be day one starters for the Green Bay Packers
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Quay Walker is a free agent this offseason, and he could end up pricing his way out of Green Bay and even following Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins, but Walker will have some suitors and could very easily not return to the team.
Enter, Jake Golday.
Golday is a linebacker from Cincinnati and is a day two prospect. A 6-4, 240-pound linebacker, Golday is incredibly athletic and honestly plays with a bit of an edge, something any team would value in a linebacker.
He had 104 total tackles in 2025 for Cincinnati, so he’s constantly around the ball and really profiles as a rock-solid player, and given the other talent the Packers have in the defensive line room, Golday stepping in from day one could be a seamless fit.
Gennings Dunker, OT/OG, Iowa
Gennings Dunker is a collegiate tackle who might have to kick inside to guard in the NFL, primarily due to some subpar athleticism for the tackle spot, but that’s OK for the Packers’ situation. The offensive line, to put it mildly, is a bit of a mess right now. Not only is Rasheed Walker a free agent, but Elgton Jenkins’ time with the team could be up, and Sean Rhyan is also set to hit the open market.
And we haven’t even mentioned the disaster Aaron Banks signing. Dunker has that nastiness to his game that honestly makes him a ready-made guard in the NFL for years to come. We’ve seen many collegiate tackles make a transition inside when they get to the NFL.
Grey Zabel might be the most notable player you think of going from tackle to guard, and it worked out for him quite nicely. Dunker is another day two prospect the Packers should target.
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
There might not be a weaker position group for the Packers than in the secondary, and Keith Abney II is yet another day two prospect who could start for the Packers. Abney had two interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2025, so he does have a knack for the ball, which is a great start. He’s got adequate size for an outside cornerback as well, standing 6-0 and weighing 190 pounds.
Abney also brings an uncanny level of toughness and competitiveness to the position. He’s a player who is absolutely going to fight for his life (in a good way) on every single rep, and someone that I believe fits this mold currently is Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss.
Moss is playing opposite Patrick Surtain II and might have one of the toughest jobs in the NFL, as he was targeted at an insane rate in 2025 since Surtain is so good. Moss more than held his own and showed a level of mental fortitude that just isn’t common in defensive backs.
Abney is cut from a similar cloth and could be a starter for the Packers.
