The Green Bay Packers have long prided themselves on building through the draft, and Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft was no exception. With the middle rounds offering a chance to address depth and long-term development, general manager Brian Gutekunst and his staff turned their attention to two positions that needed reinforcements: the interior offensive line and the edge-rushing corps.
On Saturday, the Packers announced two selections that add both immediate competition and future potential to the roster. With the No. 120 overall pick in the fourth round, Green Bay took Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. Then, with the No. 153 overall selection in the fifth round, they added Kentucky interior offensive lineman Jager Burton.
Both picks fit a familiar Packers mold: versatile, high-motor players who come from Power Five programs with strong developmental track records. Here's a closer look at what each player brings to Titletown.
Jager Burton -- A Gritty, Versatile Hog Mollie
When you watch Jager Burton's tape at Kentucky, one word comes to mind: finish. Whether he's pulling on a power run or anchoring in pass protection, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound interior lineman plays with a nastiness that offensive line coaches love. The Packers' selection of Burton in the fifth round signals a continued investment in the trenches -- and in building a run game that can impose its will in December and January.
Burton spent his collegiate career at Kentucky, where he played both center and guard for the Wildcats. That positional flexibility is a massive asset for a roster that values cross-training along the offensive line. The Packers have a history of developing interior linemen who can slide between positions, and Burton fits that mold perfectly. He started games at both guard spots and center, showing the kind of football IQ and snap-to-snap consistency required to handle the mental load of a pro offense.
On tape, Burton is a people-mover in the run game. He fires off the ball low and with leverage, driving his feet through contact. He excels on combo blocks, working to the second level with purpose, and he has the lateral quickness to handle shaded defensive tackles on zone runs. In pass protection, his anchor is solid, though he will occasionally get caught lunging against quicker interior rushers. That's a technical fix that the offensive line coach will work on, but the foundation -- the toughness, the aggressiveness, the versatility -- is already there.
From a roster perspective, Burton enters a Green Bay interior that has established starters but could use reliable depth. The Packers have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, and Burton adds another young, cost-controlled option who can compete for a backup role immediately. If he can refine his pass protection technique and continue to add functional strength, he has a clear path to making the 53-man roster as a swing interior player.
One thing that stands out about Burton is his leadership. At Kentucky, he was a vocal presence in the film room and on the practice field, known for holding teammates accountable. That sort of intangible is hard to quantify but often separates Day 3 picks who stick from those who don't. In Green Bay, where the offensive line room has a strong culture, Burton should fit in seamlessly.
Dani Dennis-Sutton -- Long, Explosive, and Still Ascending
The selection of Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton at No. 120 overall is exactly the kind of value pick that Packers fans have come to expect on Day 3. Dennis-Sutton was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school and spent three productive seasons in Happy Valley, developing into one of the Big Ten's most disruptive edge defenders.
At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Dennis-Sutton has the prototypical length and frame that NFL teams look for in a base defensive end. He uses his long arms to keep blockers off his frame, and he has a well-developed pass-rush arsenal that includes a speed-to-power conversion, a club-rip move, and an improving spin counter. His get-off is explosive, and he shows the ability to bend the arc and flatten to the quarterback -- a trait that translates directly to the NFL.
But Dennis-Sutton's value goes beyond pass rushing. He is a stout run defender who sets a firm edge, uses his length to set and shed blocks, and has the motor to chase plays from the backside. That versatility will be especially appealing to Green Bay's defensive coordinator, who values defensive linemen who can stay on the field in all three downs. Dennis-Sutton's ability to set the edge against the run while providing an inside counter as a pass rusher makes him more than just a rotational piece.
In Green Bay, the edge rush rotation is already well-established, but depth is always a need over a 17-game season. The Packers have invested high picks in pass rushers in recent years, but Dennis-Sutton brings a different skill set -- a longer, more power-oriented presence who can handle the dirty work on early downs. He should carve out a role as a rotational defensive end who can spell the starters and contribute on special teams.
One area where Dennis-Sutton can grow is consistency. At Penn State, he had games where he was unblockable and others where he disappeared. That's typical for young pass rushers, but the Packers' coaching staff will work to bring more consistency to his technique and pad level. If he can tap into his full potential, Dennis-Sutton has the tools to be a long-term starter at the next level.
What These Picks Say About the Packers' Philosophy
Gutekunst has never been shy about taking swings on traits and versatility in the middle rounds. With Burton and Dennis-Sutton, the Packers landed two players who can contribute in multiple roles. Burton can play center or guard; Dennis-Sutton can line up on the edge or slide inside on passing downs. That flexibility is crucial for a team that prides itself on situational football.
The Packers entered the 2026 draft with clear needs at a handful of positions. While the early rounds addressed more pressing holes, these Day 3 selections demonstrate a commitment to building depth in the trenches -- on both sides of the ball. In the NFC North, where the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions continue to load up on physical, downhill talent, the Packers are making sure they can match that intensity in the trenches.
Both players also come from programs known for developing pro-ready talent. Kentucky's offensive line pedigree has grown under the program's recent coaching staff, and Penn State has consistently produced NFL-caliber defensive linemen. That background should ease their transitions to the professional level.
Looking Ahead
The Packers' rookie minicamp and training camp will be the true tests for both players, but the early returns are promising. Burton and Dennis-Sutton each bring a skill set that aligns with what Green Bay looks for in its developmental players: high football character, positional flexibility, and a physical, competitive mindset.
For Burton, the path to the roster runs through special teams and showing he can handle the backup center role. For Dennis-Sutton, it's about carving out a role in the defensive line rotation and making an impact on passing downs. Both are attainable goals for these two Day 3 selections.
The 2026 draft class is taking shape, and the Packers have added two more pieces to a roster that is built to compete now and in the future. Burton and Dennis-Sutton may not be household names yet, but in Green Bay, where the front office has a track record of finding contributors in the middle rounds, they might not stay anonymous for long.