Spotlight will shine on Packers' recent first-round picks in 2026
Spotlight will shine on Packers' recent first-round picks in 2026
Zach Kruse, Packers WireMon, May 11, 2026 at 2:09 PM UTC
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Spotlight will shine on Packers' recent first-round picks in 2026
Jaire Alexander, Jordan Love and Rashan Gary helped usher in a new era for the Green Bay Packers. Now, the most recent batch of first-round picks will be in the spotlight as Love and the Packers attempt to get over the hump in 2026.
Stars coming back from injuries and the general health of top players will be a main storyline for the Packers after the disappointing end to the 2025 season. But the Packers also need 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden to ascend in important roles in 2026.
The Packers deliberately cleared the way for the trio to be important players. Gary was traded to Dallas. Rasheed Walker and Romeo Doubs signed elsewhere in free agency. The veterans were expendable because the Packers spent valuable draft capital to acquire their replacements. And now the Packers need the payoff to arrive in 2026.
Van Ness, who had his fifth-year option picked up by the Packers, will be a starting edge rusher for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. With Micah Parsons likely to miss time to start the regular season and the proven depth at edge rusher depleted, Van Ness must hit the ground running and be a consistent playmaker at a premium position. He's been stalled by injuries each of the last two seasons, so staying healthy will be key -- especially after he showed signs of a breakout before (and even after) his foot injury in 2025.
Morgan, who has bounced around positions during his first two seasons, will finally get a chance to settle in as the starting left tackle. He looked ready to start at left tackle last summer, and he played some of his best football when given a chance to play tackle late last season. It's certainly possible Morgan will be an upgrade over Walker, who struggled in 2025, but nothing is guaranteed at such an important position. Morgan's ability to handle left tackle will play a major role in what needs to be a bounce back season for the offensive line.
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Golden, the franchise's first first-round pick at receiver in two decades, got limited opportunities and didn't score his first touchdown until the postseason as a rookie. But the talent was obvious, and the Packers are confident he will play faster and be a more a consistent playmaker in a bigger role in 2026. Doubs was a trusted target for Love. Now, he's in New England. Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed will be the go-to players at receiver, clarifying roles and increasing opportunities for the top three. Golden must take advantage of this opportunity.
The Packers spent first-round picks on Van Ness, Morgan and Golden because they saw the physical traits and developmental runways of foundational players. The path to the opportunity has been different for the three players, but they have each reached an important point at the same time to start 2026.
To be their best, the Packers need Van Ness, Morgan and Golden to take the opportunity handed to them by Green Bay's decisions this offseason and help a team with Super Bowl aspirations reach the next level.
How do you win big games at the pro level? Block, disrupt the opponent's quarterback and create explosive plays. It's time for the Packers' three most recent first-round picks to lead the way.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Spotlight will shine on Packers' recent first-round picks in 2026
Source: “AOL Sports”
