Packers' Day 2 Draft: Defensive Gems

0:00It's April 1st, I'm Corey with The Story, and this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered football briefing. The 2026 NFL Draft is just 22 days out, and the Green Bay Packers sit at the 52nd overall pick, ready to wheel and deal, in 23 days. Mock Drash from the top pundits are lighting up with defensive studs, showing how GM Brian Gudekunst might beef up that back 7 in front 4, early on day 2. Over at CBS Sports, Ryan Wilson has them grabbing cornerback Chris Johnson from San Diego State at 52, a sticky coverage guy with killer ball. Skills who could be trade up bait, then at 84, Michigan's Ray Sean Benny, a slippery defensive tackle who loves the dirty work. Meanwhile, the San Diego Tribune's Eddie Brown sees Ed rusher Gabe Joccas from Illinois at 52, with monster stats like 26.5. Tackles for loss in 19 sacks over two years, pair that with Missouri DT. Chris McClellan at 84, quick off the snap and always around the ball.

1:03Sports illustrators Justin Mello, throws a curve ball with Ohio State DT. Kaden McDonald at 52, a run-stuffing beast who might not fall that far. While the athletics Bruce Feldman picks Miami D.B. Kianta Scott, though the fits iffy with their current secondary, draft wire and ESPN mocks echo more D.B.'s and D.L.'s like trade-in-stukes or Keith Avney the second. Packers fans are buzzing about these projections, especially with Gudekunst's history of trading up for value. As the clock ticks, keep an eye on those defensive gems, could set the tone for a dominant day 2.