Matt Johnson
The Green Bay Packers roster was decimated by injuries last season but the team still made the playoffs. With the new season approaching, even after some key offseason departures, analysts still believe Green Bay boasts one of the best NFL rosters in 2026.
ESPN released its 2026 NFL roster rankings ahead of training camp, with the Packers roster viewed as the 10th-best across the entire league.
Related: 5 Players to Keep An Eye On Dring Packers Training Camp
It’s worth noting that health doesn’t seem to be factored into the equation. All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is poised to miss at least the first month of the 2026 NFL season as he recovers from knee surgery. Tucker Kraft (ACL), Devonte Wyatt (broken fibula and torn ankle ligaments) and Zach Tom (partially torn patellar) are all recovering from season-ending injuries in 2025 that impacted their offseason preparation for the upcoming campaign.
The Packers roster also experienced some key departures in the spring. At wide receiver, Romeo Doubs signed with the New England Patriots and Dontayvion Wicks was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. In NFL free agency, the club lost left tackle Rasheed Walker and linebacker Quay Walker, while releasing center Elgton Jenkins and trading away edge rusher Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys.
Related: ESPN Analyst Gives Packers High Grade for Offseason Moves
One strength of the Packers’ roster that ESPN’s NFL analysts loved is the safety position which was labeled Green Bay’s biggest strentgth. As Mike Clay wrote, the team has an All-Pro sat Free safety in Xavier McKinney with a quality starter alongside him in Evan Williams and Javon Bullard provides depth at defensive back.
“Quarterback was a consideration, but a safeties room led by Xavier McKinney gets the nod. McKinney produced eight INTs (second most in the NFL) in 2024 and finished top 12 among safeties in tackles and pass deflections in 2025. Evan Williams has emerged as a solid starter, and Javon Bullard (whose primary focus is slot corner) adds depth/insurance.”
ESPN’s Mike Clay on the greatest strength of the Green Bay Packers roster in 2026
Unsurprisingly, Clay also wrote that the interior defensive line is the weakest position on the Packers roster. While Wyatt is expected back in Week 1 and the team added Chris McClellan and Javon Hargrave, it’s still an area of concern heading into training camp.
As for how Green Bay compared to its NFC North counterparts, the Chicago Bears ranked 17th while the Minnesota Vikings were placed 22nd. Perhaps most surprisingly, the Detroit Lions were determined to have the sixth-best NFL roster in 2026 despite some big concerns in the secondary.
