Packers draft cornerback Brandon Cisse in 2nd round

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Brandon Cisse (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers drafted South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse with the No. 52 overall pick on Friday night, their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Who is Brandon Cisse?

Prospect profile:

Cisse started all 12 games at South Carolina as a junior last season – making 27 total tackles with an interception, a forced fumble and five pass breakups. He played in 22 games prior to that at NC State, where he totaled 38 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups over two seasons.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said at a pre-draft news conference Tuesday that cornerback was probably the position where "we’re going to need to add the most numbers." Green Bay lacked proven cornerbacks beyond the tandem of Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine.

According to NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein:

"Teams will be willing to take a chance on Cisse’s explosive athleticism and upside, but a refinement runway might be needed to smooth some of the rougher edges. He’s scheme-versatile in coverage and is an A-rated run supporter. Work ethic and athletic testing will work in his favor. However, a lack of instincts and break anticipation could cost him in coverage against quality route runners. His press will become a more effective weapon with technical work and his route recognition should improve with more reps. Cisse’s traits and competitiveness are clear selling points, but a lack of on-ball production and coverage consistency create a more volatile floor."

When do the Packers pick?

By the numbers:

The Packers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with eight selections, one more than they did a year ago. Having traded the No. 20 overall pick to Dallas in the Parsons trade, Green Bay's first pick came at No. 52 overall.

Entering draft night

Round 2, Pick 20 (52)
Round 3, Pick 20 (84)
Round 4, Pick 20 (120)
Round 5, Pick 13 (153, via trade)
Round 5, Pick 20 (160)
Round 6, Pick 20 (201)
Round 7, Pick 20 (236)
Round 7, Pick 39 (255, compensatory)

The fifth-round pick is from the Atlanta Falcons via the Philadelphia Eagles, who sent it to Green Bay in the trade for Dontayvion Wicks. The seventh-round compensatory pick, the third-to-last pick of the draft, was awarded for a combination of free agent signings and losses, according to the team.

This will be the first draft with Ed Policy in place as the organization's chief executive, having taken the reins from Mark Murphy last summer.

Brian Gutekunst

By the numbers:

Since 2018, when Brian Gutekunst took over as general manager, the Packers have made 80 total draft picks – 40 offense, 37 defense and three special teams:

Quarterback (three), running back (five), tight end (four), wide receiver (12), offensive line (16), defensive line (10), linebacker (12), cornerback (eight), safety (seven), kicker (one), punter (one), long snapper (one)

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Looking to the second round, where Green Bay will likely make its first pick this year, Gutekunst's focus has been on offense, using seven of his 10 selections on that side of the ball. The same goes in round three, with seven of nine picks building the offense.

The last day of the draft has been relatively balanced. Gustekunst has picked 25 defensive players, 23 offensive players and three specialists across rounds four, five, six and seven during his tenure.

By round

First round: Linebacker (three), cornerback (two), defensive line (one), offensive line (one), quarterback (one), safety (one), wide receiver (one)
Second round: Offensive line (three), wide receiver (two), cornerback (one), linebacker (one), running back (one), safety (one), wide receiver (one)
Third round: Tight end (three), linebacker (two), wide receiver (two), offensive line (one), running back (one)
Fourth round: Defensive line (two), offensive line (two), wide receiver (two), safety (one)
Fifth round: Defensive line (three), linebacker (two), offensive line (two), wide receiver (two), cornerback (one), punter (one), quarterback (one), safety (one)
Sixth round: Offensive line (five), defensive line (two), cornerback (one), kicker (one), linebacker (one), running back (one), wide receiver (one)
Seventh round: Cornerback (three), linebacker (three), safety (three), defensive line (two), offensive line (two), running back (two), wide receiver (two), long snapper (one), quarterback (one)

Offseason highlights

The Source: FOX6 News produced this report with information from the Green Bay Packers, South Carolina athletics and the NFL. The Associated Press contributed.

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