10 most important newcomers to Packers' 90-man roster entering training camp

The Green Bay Packers have added 28 different players to the 90-man roster since the end of the 2025 season. Not all will impact the Packers in 2026, but many will. In fact, there's a chance as many as five preferred starters will be recent acquisitions, and one of the specialist positions is almost certain to be a rookie.

With training camp right around the corner, here are the 10 most important newcomers to the Packers' roster:

LB Zaire Franklin (No. 44): The Packers traded for Franklin to replace Quay Walker, a former first-round pick and four-year starter at linebacker. Can Franklin, a 2024 Pro Bowler, bounce back from a down season and give the Packers an upgrade at off-ball linebacker in the 3-4? This will be a big season for Franklin. Can he prove the 2025 season was an anomaly, or will 2026 prove the 30-year-old linebacker is in decline? Franklin is expected to start next to Edgerrin Cooper and wear the defense's communication helmet. He is passionate, unafraid of contact and willing to hunt disruptive plays.

DL Javon Hargrave (No. 98): The veteran defensive lineman might be 33 years old, but he still believes he has plenty left in the tank entering 2026. The Packers are banking on it. Hargrave was once an elite interior pass-rusher for Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia. Can he revive his disruptive ways with Gannon in Green Bay? If all goes right, Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt could be a tough interior duo to block this season. However, any kind of sharp regression from Hargrave would put the Packers in a tough spot at defensive tackle.

DL Chris McClellan (No. 55): The Packers' third-round pick has a big opportunity to carve out a legitimate role for the Packers defensive front as a rookie. He is versatile, capable of playing multiple positions along the front, and Packers coaches believe he can provide value as a pass-rusher. With a hole in the starting lineup at nose tackle, and an obvious need for better play at defensive tackle with the switch to a 3-4 front, McClellan could end up being a very important player for Jonathan Gannon in 2026.

K Trey Smack (No. 28): Frustrated with the injury issues and big misses down the stretch from Brandon McManus, the Packers made a big change at kicker, trading up for Smack and releasing McManus. The kicking job is now Smack's to lose, but the offseason workout program showed that patience is required with a first-year specialist. There will be ups and downs. The goal this summer will be to inch towards consistency by the time the regular season arrives. Smack has a big leg, and he could realistically extend the Packers' scoring range in 2026.

CB Brandon Cisse (No. 2): The Packers' top draft pick in 2026 enters a competitive cornerback position where snaps are up for grabs and improvement is a top directive. Cisse enters the NFL as an athletic, confident perimeter corner who is still only 21 years old. He might need time to get his feet under him at the pro level, but the upside -- even as a rookie -- is tremendous. There's a good chance Cisse is playing important snaps for the Packers on the perimeter at some point in 2026, possibly even early in the year.

WR/KR Skyy Moore (No. 23): After another season laboring through the shortcomings of the return game, the Packers finally addressed the issue with an offseason addition. Moore was one of the NFL's most productive combo kick/punt returners while with the 49ers in 2025. Can he spark Green Bay's return game to life in 2026? Moore, a former second-round pick of the Chiefs, also has experience as a slot/gadget weapon. Don't be surprised if Matt LaFleur manufactures a few touches for Moore at some point during the regular season. His biggest impact is still likely to come from creating long awaited consistency and a few explosive plays in the return game.

CB Benjamin St-Juste (No. 21): St-Juste is coming off an excellent 2025 season in a backup role with the Chargers and now entering a defensive scheme that should fit his skill set nicely. His length makes him especially good at muddying passing lanes and contesting catch opportunities from zone coverages. He'll compete with the likes of Brandon Cisse and Carrington Valentine for starting reps on the outside opposite Keisean Nixon. St-Juste is also an experienced special teamer, so he'll add value for the third phase as well.

OL Jager Burton (No. 52): One of the top backups on the interior offensive line in 2026 could be Burton, a fifth-round pick who played both center and guard at Kentucky. He could first-team reps at guard during the offseason workout program, and it's possible he'll push a player like center Sean Rhyan or right guard Anthony Belton for snaps at some point in 2026. Burton is a tough, easy moving interior blocker. Training camp will shine a light on his potential of instant impact.

Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton (No. 51): During an offseason when the Packers lost Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagare, the only notable addition to the group was Dennis-Sutton, a fourth-round pick. He was productive at Penn State and tested like one of the NFL's elite athletes entering the draft. But will it translate to instant production? An opportunity exists with Micah Parsons likely to miss at least the first four games, if not more. Getting a surprise start from DDS would really help stabilize a position that will be relying on a bunch of young players early on in 2026.

QB Tyrod Taylor (No. 6): Jordan Love has missed two starts and exited at least one game during each of the last two seasons. Malik Willis is gone, but the Packers are likely to replace him with Taylor, one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in football. He's not nearly as dynamic as Willis, but Taylor could be a valuable asset for Love day to day and week to week, and coming off the bench in-game or making a start on short notice wouldn't be a big hurdle for the veteran quarterback. A big question at quarterback: Could the Packers survive a short-term injury to Love? Taylor gives them a chance.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 10 most important newcomers to Packers' 90-man roster entering training camp