The Green Bay Packers continued their aggressive defensive retooling on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up in the third round to select Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan with the 77th overall pick. The move, confirmed by the team on April 24, 2026, saw the Packers send their original third-round pick (84th overall) and a fifth-round selection (160th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the right to jump seven spots.
It was a calculated gamble by general manager Brian Gutekunst, one that signaled the front office's commitment to fortifying the interior of the defensive line -- a position that has quietly undergone significant churn over the past two offseasons.
The Trade Up
The Packers entered Day 2 with three picks in the third round and several Day 3 selections, giving them flexibility. Moving up from No. 84 to No. 77 cost them a fifth-rounder -- a price that, in most draft rooms, is more than reasonable to secure a player with a third-round grade who was starting to slip into uncertain territory.
According to sources familiar with the team's process, McClellan was among a handful of defensive tackles Green Bay had targeted in the third round. When he remained available as the round progressed, the Packers opted not to wait. The call to the Tampa Bay war room was made with the pick clock ticking; the Buccaneers, holding multiple Day 2 selections themselves, were happy to slide back and add an extra pick.
"We felt like Chris was a really good fit for what we're trying to do up front," Gutekunst said after the selection. "He's got the size, the power, and the motor you look for in a three-technique. We didn't want to take a chance that he wouldn't be there at 84."
The math checks out. With teams like the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Detroit Lions all picking in the late 70s and early 80s -- and all with defensive line needs -- the Packers essentially bought insurance against a run on interior players.
Scouting Chris McClellan
Chris McClellan might not have dominated pre-draft headlines, but his tape at Missouri tells a compelling story. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 315 pounds, McClellan played a versatile role in the Tigers' defensive front, lining up both as a 1-technique shaded over the center's shoulder and as a 3-technique attacking the B-gap. His strength at the point of attack and his ability to quickly disengage from blockers made him a consistent disruptor in run defense.
Over his final two collegiate seasons, McClellan tallied eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss -- not spectacular numbers for an interior lineman but impressive given how often he faced double teams. Missouri tasked him with occupying blockers and freeing linebackers, and he did so with a physicality that translates well to the NFL.
What stands out on film is his leverage. McClellan plays with an exceptional pad level, allowing him to consistently win against bigger interior linemen. His bull rush is effective, but he also flashes a decent swim move and has enough lateral quickness to shoot gaps in zone schemes.
The main critique coming out of college was his relative lack of pass-rush polish--he relied more on power than developed counter moves. But for a player projecting as a rotational starter early in his career, the raw tools are clearly there.
Fit in Jonathan Gannon's Defense
The Packers' defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon inherited a unit that took significant strides in 2025 but still had obvious gaps, particularly in the middle of the defensive line. The team's established anchor, Kenny Clark, was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2026 offseason, creating a large vacancy up front that demanded attention.
McClellan profiles as an ideal piece to help fill that void. While Clark was known for his explosiveness off the ball and prowess in the pass rush, McClellan brings the kind of two-down power that can allow Green Bay to maintain a physical presence on the interior while spreading responsibilities more evenly among the defensive front. His ability to eat up snaps at nose tackle and set the edge firmly will allow the linebackers to flow more freely to the ball.
The Packers have spent most of the past two drafts strengthening their defense through youth and speed. Last year's first-round pick was an edge rusher, followed by safeties and cornerbacks in the middle rounds. This year, after targeting an offensive tackle early and adding a tight end in the second round, the team used two of its three third-round picks on defensive players.
McClellan is the second defensive player selected by the Packers in the third round on Day 2, following an edge rusher taken earlier in the round. That makes four of the team's first six picks devoted to defense -- a clear signal that the front office believes its Super Bowl window is open and that it must fortify the defense to close it.
The Bigger Draft Picture
The decision to trade up for McClellan also reveals how Gutekunst values this draft class's depth. Moving up for a player at a premium position -- defensive tackle -- suggests the front office viewed the quality drop-off after the early third round as significant.
Though the Packers now have fewer early Day 3 picks--retaining selections in the fourth, sixth, and seventh rounds--the front office's track record suggests they won't hesitate to be active later if a player of the right profile emerges.
This willingness to move up when targeting a player has been a hallmark of this regime. In 2023, the Packers traded up for a tight end in the second round. In 2025, they did so for a wide receiver in the third. The consistent message: if you believe in the player, go get him. The cost, especially within rounds, is often worth securing a desired prospect.
For Tampa Bay, the trade added draft capital and flexibility on Day 3, fitting their strategy of accumulating picks and building a young defensive line depth.
What's Next for Green Bay
Green Bay still has notable needs, especially at receiver beyond its top targets and in the safety group. The draft is not yet over, and the Packers have demonstrated a willingness to remain active in later rounds.
For now, however, the story of Day 2 -- and likely beyond -- is Chris McClellan: a physical, high-motor defensive tackle who fits the mold of a classic Packers pick. If he develops as the front office expects, this trade-up will look like a steal down the line.
The grind starts now. Packers fans can hope this defensive makeover, fueled by trades and calculated aggression, is exactly what the team needs to make a deep run in the 2026 playoffs.
