The Green Bay Packers entered the NFL offseason with a few needs to address. Following the first wave of free agency, there are a few more to add to that list.
Brian Gutekunst and the front office have been quiet. They have signed just two outside players, with those two players being defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and return man Skyy Moore. Zaire Franklin was also acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to replace Quay Walker.
While those three moves are all solid, the Packers have seen a multitude of players leave town this offseason.
Among the key departures are quarterback Malik Willis, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, Walker, offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker, cornerback Nate Hobbs, pass rushers Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, and running back Emanuel Wilson.
One of the big needs entering the offseason came at the cornerback position. Even though that need hasn’t been addressed yet and Green Bay released Hobbs, a potential fix to the problem could be hiding in plain sight.
Green Bay Packers Have Perfect Target at No. 52 in NFL Draft
Due to the Micah Parsons trade with the Dallas Cowboys last offseason, the Packers do not have a first-round pick. They won’t be on the clock until No. 52 overall in the second round, barring a trade to move up.
With that No. 52 pick, Green Bay would be wise to take a long look at Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
Ponds may only be 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, but his playing style is much bigger. He was a big part of the reason that the Hoosiers made a run to win the National Championship last season.
During the 2025 college football season at Indiana, Ponds racked up 60 total tackles to go along with a forced fumble, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 10 defended passes.
After playing his first college season at James Madison, Ponds has played the last two years with the Hoosiers. Throughout his three total years at the college level, he recorded 167 total tackles, one forced fumble, seven interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and 31 defended passes.
What Are the Analysts Saying About D’Angelo Ponds?
Bleacher Report has revealed their NFL comparison for Ponds, which is Marcus Jones.
Over the last couple of years, Jones has developed into being a very important part of the New England Patriots‘ defense. That comparison makes Ponds an even more intriguing potential target for the Packers.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has shared his scouting report on Ponds. He believes that the Hoosiers standout will become an above average nickel cornerback at the professional level.
Green Bay may not choose to target Ponds in the second round of the 2026 draft. He might not even be available by the time the Packers are on the clock.
That being said, Ponds is a legitimate option for Green Bay. He would bring a winning mentality and the ability to become a key playmaker for the Packers’ new-look defense under Jonathan Gannon.
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