Quick thoughts on the Packers' 43 defensive players entering training camp

Training camp for the 2026 Green Bay Packers opens officially next Wednesday, July 29. Over the next month or so, Matt LaFleur's team will prepare in full for the start of the regular season while also deciding roster battles and roles within the 53-man roster.

Can the Packers defense survive without Micah Parsons early and then thrive once he returns?

Some quick thoughts on each of the Packers' 43 players on defense entering training camp:

No. 1: Edge rusher Micah Parsons: Put together a first-team All-Pro season in only 14 games during his first season in Green Bay but is now rehabbing to return from a torn ACL. Likely to miss all of training camp and the start of the regular season, although his targeted return date is unknown. The goal is to be 100 percent come the second half of the season.

No. 2 CB Brandon Cisse: The Packers' top pick in the 2026 draft brings incredible athleticism to the corner position. Will his quickness in coverage immediately show up during training camp? Don't rule out the rookie competing for snaps right away at perimeter corner. Expect some ups and downs this summer.

No. 7: DB Javon Bullard: Note the number change. The slot/safety dynamo looks like he'll be the defense's full-time slot defender once again in 2026. Makes up for a lack of elite quickness with toughness, anticipation and reliability. Can he build on an excellent first season in the slot? Creating more big plays (see: takeaways) is a reasonable next step.

No. 20: CB Domani Jackson: Rookie was a big-time recruit coming out of high school. Never reached elite levels at USC or Alabama but has easy movement ability and obvious coverage potential. Likely to be a depth player/special teamer in Year 1.

No. 21: CB Benjamin St-Juste: Underrated signing in free agency after an encouraging season in coverage with the Chargers in 2025. Excellent zone corner on the perimeter, befitting a Jonathan Gannon defense. Can also play multiple roles on special teams.

No. 24: CB Carrington Valentine: The coverage skill is undeniable, but a lack of consistency and struggles with the physicality of the pro game (see: tackling, defending the run) have limited his upside. Entering a contract year. Will have to fight for reps at a suddenly competitive position this summer.

No. 25: CB Keisean Nixon: Miscast as a true "No. 1" corner but underrated as a coverage player overall. Tough, quick and confident. Struggles against top competition and commits too many important penalties. Entering a contract year. Likely starter in 2026. Beyond? Likely playing elsewhere.

No. 27: S Kitan Oladapo: 2024 fifth-round pick goes into Year 3 after playing mostly on special teams through two seasons. Will he be ready if the Packers need him to play snaps at safety? There's "big slot" potential here, too.

No. 28: CB MJ Devonshire Jr.: Claimed off waivers in May. The 2024 seventh-round pick of the Raiders hasn't appeared in a regular season game. Can he surprise this summer?

No. 29: S Xavier McKinney: Two-time All-Pro safety is an elite player. Interception numbers dropped in 2025, but few safeties can match his reliability as a tackler and in coverage.

No. 31: LB Nick Niemann: Was excellent covering kicks and punts during the first two months of 2025 but suffered an injury and missed time. Likely to be the fifth off-ball linebacker and a fixture on special teams for Cam Achord.

No. 33: S Evan Williams: Reliable with a splash of playmaking ability; the third-year safety isn't unlike early career Xavier McKinney. Can he make the step from good to great? One of the most underrated players on the team.

No. 34: CB Shemar Bartholomew: Former Panther made four tackles while playing corner in the regular season finale last season. Expected to be among a big group of corners competing for a backup spot on the depth chart.

No. 36: CB Kamal Hadden: Made the team to start 2025 and played in 10 games before suffering a significant lower leg injury late in the season. Can he return at full strength and make a run at a backup cornerback spot?

No. 37: DB Johnathan Baldwin II: Made seven tackles and looked solid playing safety in the regular season finale. Should compete for a backup defensive back role and on special teams in Year 2.

No. 38: DB Jaylin Simpson: Former Colts draft pick joined the Packers last August. 26-year-old struggled playing on the perimeter in the season finale but has previous slot/safety experience.

No. 39: S Murvin Kenion III: Unheralded UDFA who played at four different programs before entering the NFL. Earned All-Mountain West honors after an excellent 2025 season at Nevada. A season on the practice squad would be valuable.

No. 40: LB TJ Quinn: UDFA out of Louisville looks like a safety at 6-0 and 225 pounds. Put up big numbers as a two-time All-ACC linebacker. Can he handle the pro game at this size? A player to watch during the preseason.

No. 41: S Mark Perry: Joined the Packers practice squad in January. Former TCU safety is on his sixth NFL team since entering the NFL in 2024.

No. 44: LB Zaire Franklin: Former Colt was a Pro Bowler in 2024 but labored through a down season in 2025. Can he rebound in Year 1 in Green Bay? He'll play the "Mike" and wear the green dot communication helmet -- the Quay Walker replacement.

No. 45: Edge rusher Collin Oliver: Played in only one game as a rookie. While undersized on the edge, his explosive movement ability showed up in the regular season finale. Could be a designated pass-rusher in 2026.

No. 46: CB Marlon Jones: Rookie UDFA beat cancer during the 2024 season before returning to finish his collegiate career at Vanderbilt in 2025. His inspiring story now has a big opportunity.

No. 47: Edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly: UDFA with a real chance to surprise this summer. Excellent size and length. Packers gave him $250,000 guaranteed to sign in Green Bay following 2026 draft.

No. 51: Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton: Fourth-round pick put up big numbers at Penn State and then aced the athletic testing of the pre-draft process. Can he be an instant impact contributor? His upside is significant, and opportunity is available on the edge.

No. 53: Edge rusher Arron Mosby: Veteran who has played off-ball linebacker and on the edge and turned himself into a quality special teamer. Played over 200 special teams snaps for the Packers in 2024 and 2025.

No. 54: LB Kristian Welch: Returned on a one-year deal to compete for a role on special teams. Wisconsin native has played nearly 1,500 career special teams snaps.

No. 55: DL Chris McClellan: Rookie third-rounder is big, powerful and quick, and the Packers see an ability to play multiple positions along the front while also providing pass-rushing potential. It might take time, but he could play a big role for the defensive front in Year 1.

No. 56: LB Edgerrin Cooper: A rising star at linebacker who could end up in the Pro Bowl or on an All-Pro team if everything goes right in 2026. Fast and tough, with playmaking instincts. Didn't create as many negative plays in 2025. Getting them most out of No. 56 should be a priority for Jonathan Gannon.

No. 57: Edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr.: Has played in only 15 games over three seasons, including just four games last season. Had 4.0 sacks over seven games in 2024. Figures to factor into the edge rushing rotational early in 2026.

No. 58: LB Isaiah McDuffie: The Packers extended his deal by one year. He'll go into 2026 as the top backup at linebacker and a core special teamer.

No. 59: LB Ty'Ron Hopper: A big summer awaits the 2024 third-round pick. Do the Packers believe he can play off-ball linebacker? He'll go into camp as nothing more than a fourth linebacker in a 3-4 base front. Needs to take a step.

No. 60: DL Anthony Campbell: Former undrafted free agent signing of the Seahawks in 2025. Stands 6-6.

No. 63: DL Jaden Crumedy: Former sixth-round pick of the Panthers who has played in eight career games over the last two seasons. Signed a futures deal in January.

No. 64: DL Jonathan Ford: Former Packers draft pick re-joined the team late in 2025 and figures to compete for snaps at nose tackle in 2026.

No. 90: Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness: Was in the early stages of a breakout season when he hurt his foot in late October. Packers are expecting him to take a big leap in 2026 as a starting edge rusher.

No. 91: DL Warren Brinson: There were rough moments defending the run in Year 1, but he flashed pass-rushing ability, registering 14 pressures. The 2025 sixth-round pick could be a useful rotational player if he takes a step against the run in 2026.

No. 93: DL Nazir Stackhouse: 2025 UDFA played only 173 snaps as a rookie. Packers need him to take the second-year leap and be a contributor at nose tackle. Obvious run stopping potential.

No. 94: DL Karl Brooks: His 2025 season was a disappointing one. Can he be more disruptive in a more specific role along the defensive front? He's best as a true pass-rusher.

No. 95: DL Devonte Wyatt: Talented interior disruptor who just needs to get through a season healthy. Could be player with 8-10 sacks per year if he can avoid the nagging injuries that have hurt him the past two seasons. Just got a three-year contract extension.

No. 97: DL Jordon Riley: The 338-pound former Giant played in four games for the Packers last season before suffering an Achilles injury. Will miss significant time and is unlikely to be a contributor in 2026.

No. 98: DL Javon Hargrave: Veteran defender arrives in Green Bay with a long history as a disruptor. Now 33 years old, can he still be a disruptive force over a full season? Packers like his versatility along the defensive front.

No. 99: Edge rusher Barryn Sorrell: 2025 fourth-round pick flashed as a rusher in Year 1, and he'll have a chance to play a big role early in 2026 with Micah Parsons on the sideline.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Quick thoughts on the Packers' 43 defensive players entering training camp