The Green Bay Packers will be waiting a long time to get on the clock during the 2026 NFL draft, but could general manager Brian Gutekunst trade back from No. 52 overall in the second round, build out his draft capital in the middle rounds and still attack his roster's biggest needs?In our latest seven-round simulation at PFF, we explored down this path. Several good players remained on the board at No. 52 overall, and the Tennessee Titans were among the teams wanting to move up. Moving back and waiting longer might be tough for Gutekunst come Friday, but the wait could be worth it.

With extra capital from a trade back, the Packers were able to make a luxury pick at wide receiver, rebuild the cornerback room long-term and still find excellent fits at defensive tackle, running back, edge rusher and the offensive line in a nine-player class.Here's how the mock draft played out:Using the No. 52 overall pick on Iowa State's Domonique Orange might be a little too rich for Green Bay's taste, but it would make a lot more sense if the Packers could trade back into the 60s and gain some extra draft capital. In this scenario, the Packers moved back 14 spots but gained a high fourth-round pick and turned their late seventh-round pick into a sixth rounder.

With Orange still there at No. 66, the pick was an easy one. "Big Citrus" can fix a big hole on the roster.After acquiring an extra pick in the fourth round, it became much easier to use the 84th overall pick on Georgia State's Ted Hurst, one of the best fits at receiver in the draft class. The Packers lost Romeo Doubs and traded away Dontayvion Wicks, opening up a roster spot for a rookie receiver.

If Hurst somehow lasts until No. 84, the Packers will have to consider him. He's too good to pass up here.The fourth round was used to fix the cornerback room. The extra fourth-round pick from the Titans was used on Julian Neal of Arkansas.

The 120th overall pick was used on Georgia's Daylen Everette. Both look like prime Packers fits. Double dipping at the corner position would provide much-needed short-term competition and much-needed long-term stability.Indiana's Kaelon Black in the fifth round would give the Packers a versatile backup option and potential future starting option at running back.

Boston College's Logan Taylor seven picks later would provide a versatile developmental offensive lineman. Both check a lot of boxes for the Packers in terms of size and athleticism while crossing off long-term roster needs. The upgraded sixth-round pick was spent on Duke's Wesley Williams, a 21-year-old edge rusher with backfield production and five career blocked kicks.

The last two picks were Enrique Cruz Jr., an athletic offensive tackle with experience starting on the left and right side; and Jaden Dugger, a pre-draft visitor and a perfect fit in the seventh round as a highly athletic linebacker with big upside.For a team without a first-round pick but also a long list of needs, trading back is a path worth considering. More swings in that fourth- and fifth-round range could be extremely valuable for Gutekunst, who has consistently found good football players early on Day 3. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 7-round mock draft: Trade back, Big Citrus and double dip at CB