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See Where Green Bay Packers Stars Landed on ESPN’s Top 10 Positional Lists for 2026
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- See Where Green Bay Packers Stars Landed on ESPN’s Top 10 Positional Lists for 2026
The Green Bay Packers are widely viewed as one of the best teams in the National Football League entering the summer ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While many believe this team can contend for the Lombardi Trophy, that doesn't necessarily mean those inside the league view the Packers roster as being loaded with stars.
ESPN is releasing its annual top-10 positional list at each spot, with NFL executives, scouts and coaches polled on the best players at each position. Here's a breakdown on how Packers' stars fared on said lists. If a starter isn't excluded, they didn't make either the top 10 or the honorable mentions.
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Jordan Love : Honorable Mention
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Evidently, the majority of NFL personnel polled by ESPN aren't particularly high on Packers quarterback Jordan Love . Not only did he finish outside the top-10 in voting, but he even seemed to place behind Sam Darnold and Jayden Daniels in the 'honorable mentions' section.
"I don't think he gets enough credit for playing the position consistently well, and he has got the athletic traits to match it."
That's hard to explain considering that Love ranked second in Adjusted EPA per Play (0.289) last season and posted the seventh-best Success Rate (51.4 percent). Putting him behind Caleb Williams also feels inexcusable considering how the two career resumes compare.
Josh Jacobs : Honorable Mention
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Josh Jacobs ranks 11th among the highest-paid running backs in the NFL this season ($12 million AAV) and it's safe to say many around the league believe the Packers are receiving modest value on the deal. Jacobs finished atop ESPN 's honorable mention list, just behind Breece Hall in 10th place.
"Still a really quality back but has probably slowed down slightly. Can still hit singles and doubles but not a lot of home runs as far as explosive plays. Still really good between the tackles."
Jacobs, who replaced fan-favorite Aaron Jones ahead of the 2024 NFL season, has amassed 2,258 rushing yards with 30 total touchdowns and averaged 4.2 yards per carry during his time with Green Bay. Heading into his age-28 season and facing legal issues, it wouldn't be a surprise if this is his last season with the Packers.
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Tucker Kraft : 6th
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Even coming off an ACL tear suffered in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers , top minds around the league view Tucker Kraft as one of the best NFL tight ends in 2026. ESPN 's panel of coaches, scouts and executives voted Kraft as the sixth-best player at his position right now. We are a bit surprised, however, that Kraft was ranked below Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (fourth) given that LaPorta put up worse numbers in nine games and is also coming off a serious injury.
"His speed and [run-after-catch] ability really stand out. He was just scratching the surface before the injury. And he's a high-level blocker."
Kraft demonstrated in 2025 why he can be one of the most dangerous playmakers at his position. Across eight games, he totaled 489 receiving yards (15.3 yards per reception) with six touchdowns. Even more impressive, per PlayerProfiler.com , Kraft ranked second in yards per route run (2.56), third in first downs per route run (0.115) and he had the eighth-most yards after catch (344) among tight ends despite missing half the season. Fortunately for Green Bay, Kraft is on track to be a full-go for Week 1 .
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Edgerrin Cooper : 9th
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Off-ball linebacker had been a weakness on the Packers defense for years, it's why they spent premium picks on Quay Walker (22nd overall in 2022) and Edgerrin Cooper (45th overall in 2024). It's paid off, with Cooper heading into this third season rated by NFL executives, scouts and coaches as the ninth-best off-ball linebacker entering 2026.
"He has the size, speed and run-and-hit ability that few have"
Even as a rookie, Cooper's speed stood out with his 6-foot-2 frame and he immediately became a playmaker for Green Bay. After netting 4 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and 13 TFLs in 2024, finishing sixth for Defensive Rookie of the Year, he became a full-time starter in 2025. While Cooper didn't quite replicate his production, he's an ascending defender ahead of his age-25 season and it shouldn't be long before he gets a contract extension.
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Micah Parsons : 2nd
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There's a reason the Packers, who have held the draft-and-develop philosophy for decades, gave up a pair of first-round picks to acquire Micah Parsons and then made him one of the league's highest-paid players. Even after tearing his ACL in December, scouts and coaches voted Parsons as the second-best edge rusher in the NFL entering 2026.
"There are two guys that never really get blocked in the NFL, and it's those two guys — Myles and Micah. You do what you can with movements and quick game, and it's not enough."
Let's allow the numbers to speak for themselves. In 2025, Parsons tied for the second-highest ESPN pass-rush win rate (23 percent) among edge rushers and he was double-teamed (37.8 percent of the time) far more than any of his peers. Even with so much attention being paid to him by offensive play-callers, quarterbacks and offensive linemen, Parsons still recorded 48 pressures, 27 QB hits, 12.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 14 games. Let's also keep in mind that Green Bay limited his snaps early on. If he can return fully healthy, Parsons is capable of being the best defensive player in the NFL.
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Xavier McKinney : 3rd
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While Xavier McKinney didn't earn All-Pro honors in 2025 with the Packers, FL executives, scouts and coaches still ranked him third among the best NFL safeties in 2026. One remarkable feat from his tenure in Green Bay, per ESPN , McKinney still hasn't allowed a touchdown as the nearest defender in pass coverage.
"He sees the game very quickly. Fast processor. He is always in a great position and plays the game in control. He can tackle, he can cover, and he gets the ball."
The hope for the Packers is that McKinney's interception totals (2 in 2025) are a lot closer to his eight-interception campaign from he 2024 season. It would also be fair if Green Bay's coaches think that Evan Williams comes through with a breakout year, potentially putting himself in the mix for consideration on the list in 2027.
