One of the biggest winners from the Green Bay Packers preseason win over the Denver Broncos was cornerback Kamal Hadden. Hadden entered training camp with questions about his health, role, and fit on the Packers roster.
However, by the end of the Packers’ second preseason game, he is starting to be viewed as a roster lock by Packers beat writers.
“Yeah go ahead and put Kamal Hadden on your 53-man roster as a slot,” tweeted Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Company.
Hadden recorded five tackles, with two of them coming for loss in the game.
Zach Jacobson of Packers Dispatch had the same thought.
“I didn’t think there was ever any doubt—my only concern was how well he’d move post-surgery—but Kamal Hadden earned a 53-man roster spot tonight,” tweeted Jacobson.
PFF credited Hadden with three run stops. He finished with a 79.8 grade overall, which is excellent by their scoring standards. He had a 77.3 coverage grade, which is also above average. Andy Herman of the Pack-a-Day Podcast continued the praise.
“Kamal Hadden is going to be realllllly tough to cut,” Herman tweeted.
Green Bay Packers DB Kamal Hadden is Locking Up a Roster Spot
GettyPackers HC Matt LaFleur praised Kamal Hadden.
Head coach Matt LaFleur saw Hadden suffer a gruesome injury to end his 2025 season, making his 2026 participation questionable. However, Hadden not only returned in time for the season, but he was also able to participate in the preseason.
What has been most impressive about his return is that he has been asked to change positions as well. Hadden only played 37 snaps on defense in 2025, but all of them were as an outside cornerback. Now, the team has asked him to move into the slot.
Hadden returned to practice in the middle of training camp, switched roles, started in the preseason, and played well. Those are the types of performances that will get the attention of the coaches.
LaFleur noted that he is impressed with Hadden, not only the player, but the person.
“It’s been fun to watch his growth,” said LaFleur. “Obviously, as a player, but as a person as well. How he prepares. He comes in with a great attitude. He’s extremely coachable, and it’s really cool to see that come to fruition in terms of his ability to go out there and make plays.”
The Packers have been struggling to find anyone to step up and take the slot role. The 2024 sixth-round pick who was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs could end up playing a role in the Packers’ 2026 season.
Hadden Has a Role in the Slot
While Hadden earned the spot with his play in the preseason, Green Bay currently does not have many other options. Javon Bullard is expected to be back soon, but the team needs depth behind him considering he is already nursing a foot injury.
The Packers waived Johnathan Baldwin with an injury designation, and he was the backup. Kitan Oladapo shifted into the slot, but he is not used to playing that close to the line. His preseason struggles and the success of Hadden ended that competition quickly.
Unless the Packers find a better option outside of the roster, it is safe to start penciling Hadden into all 53-man roster projections.
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