The Green Bay Packers finished last season in clear need of a CB1. While Keisean Nixon looked like he might play the part, he faded fast in the second half. Many fans came away more impressed by first-year starter Carrington Valentine, who stepped in admirably as the Nate Hobbs experiment derailed. Still, he’s not a top-level stopper.
If not a No.1 option, the Packers at least need better depth. Hobbs isn’t reliable, and aside from Javon Bullard at nickelback, Kamal Hadden is next up on the depth chart.
Team writer Matt Schneidman decides to address just that need with his 2026 Packers mock draft. Stripped of a first-round selection in the Micah Parsons trade, Green Bay seizes on its earliest opportunity to take Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun with the 52nd pick in round two.
Packers shore up the sidelines by taking Buckeyes CB 52nd overall
Igbinosun graded out among the top FBS corners last season as a senior. By PFF, he ranked 85th/890 with a score of 79.3. Over the past two seasons at Ohio State recorded four interceptions and 15 pass breakups (stats via ESPN).
According to PFF, he limited opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 43.4. That’s better than 862 FBS corners last season.
Schneidman offers this tidbit from another analyst at The Athletic:
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says of Igbinosun, who’s ranked No. 50 on his Top 100: “With prototypical size and speed for outside work, Igbinosun can carry routes vertically and stay in phase to contest passing windows.”
One drawback to his game is a liability to draw flags, but he buttoned up considerably in the regard as a senior.
“Teams must be comfortable with his aggressive physicality — he was flagged a combined 16 times in coverage over the past two seasons (although that number decreased from 12 in 2024 to just four in ’25),” Brugler writes.
Drafting a quality corner isn’t just about adding talent. It’s also about preparing for a future as Nixon goes up in cost while not measuring up as a true lockdown defender.
“The Packers at least need a cornerback they can develop into a true No. 1. Keisean Nixon and the Packers seem to think he’s just that, but his performance in the second half of the season would indicate otherwise,” Schneidman says. With a raise in order as Nixon levels up from playing nickel, they can’t sit on their hands as he grows older and more expensive.
“Even if the Packers give him that pay bump in the short term, Nixon turns 29 in June, and the Packers need a contingency plan for the future who can develop under Nixon and Carrington Valentine in the present.”
Whether it’s Igbinosun or another name, addressing the hole in coverage should be at the front of the Packers’ minds, along with adding offensive line help, as they comb the college ranks for their next contributor.
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