The Green Bay Packers obviously had high expectations for cornerback Brandon Cisse, or they would not have drafted him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the team might not have known quite how high his ceiling is. That, and his ability to start right away, have been the team’s two biggest takeaways so far in training camp.
When asked about Cisse, head coach Matt LaFleur not only raved about his football ability, but also made sure to mention that he is a good human as well.
“I don’t know how well you guys know him from the locker room, but he is an A-plus human, and he loves football,” LaFleur says. “Every time he goes out there, there are a lot
LaFleur noted that there has been nothing but progress with Cisse so far. He is not the only one with attention on the rookie. General Manager Brian Gutekunst shared a similar sentiment. Gutekunst noted the intentionality of his preparation as a key to his success.
“He looks like the guy that we evaluated. I really like how he’s competed. He’s shown up everyday, he’s been prepared. The coaches are very happy with how’s he’s been intentional about his preparation”
An injury to Carrington Valentine has opened the door for him to start, but the way that the coaches and executives rave about him makes you think he might not give the job back up.
Brandon Cisse is Taking Advantage of Starting Snaps With Green Bay Packers
GettyRookie Brandon Cisse #2 of the Green Bay Packers
The plan was for Cisse to sit for a year, or at least the beginning of the season, and then evaluate whether he should get into the lineup from there. However, the team gave him a quick look with the first-team defense in training camp, and he looked good. They had been mixing him in ever since.
Without Valentine in the mix, he is leading the way with the first unit. Valentine is expected to be back before the start of the season. However, Cisse will likely get a long look with the starting defense in the preseason as well.
Cisse is signed for this year and three more. Valentine will be a free agent after the season. So, if Cisse can show that he belongs in the NFL, the team is going to lean into the second-round rookie.
Packers 2026 Draft Class Has Been Impressing Early
Cisse is not the only member of the Packers draft class that is flashing early into training camp. Third-round rookie Chris McClellan has also been able to get work with the first-string defense due to injuries around him. He has stepped up without Javon Hargrave and given the team optimism.
Dani Dennis-Sutton has been excellent rushing the pass from the interior. The team appears to already have a situational role carved out directly for him. He should get on the field early into the regular season due to the Micah Parsons injury.
Fifth-round rookie Jager Burton has been getting work with the first team going all the way back to OTAs. He did miss some time earlier in training camp, but his center and guard versatility gives him a chance to play. Sixth-round rookie Domani Jackson has not climbed the depth chart in the same manner, but he has made plays as well.
To not have a first-round pick and still get this much help from the rookie class this early into training camp is great.
Packers Coaches Can’t Stop Praising Rookie Defender