The second round of 2025-2026 College Football Playoffs is upon us, and it’s time to go through each team and highlight prospects who could be potential targets for the Green Bay Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers selected three players who competed in the 2024-2025 College Football Playoffs. Brian Gutekunst selected two Texas Longhorns and one Georgia Bulldog.
Could Gutekunst target any Indiana Hoosiers in April? The Hoosiers are the No. 1 seed and will face Alabama on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Aiden Fisher, LB
Fisher is an instinctive linebacker with excellent reactionary quickness. He has good closing burst to the football and enters the playoffs with seven tackles for loss and 33 run stops. The Packers could be in the market for a linebacker or two this offseason to fortify the depth chart, and Fisher could be an ideal Day 3 target. With 413 special teams snaps to his name, he’d provide an immediate impact on that unit.
Pat Coogan, iOL
A transfer from Notre Dame, Coogan has stepped in to anchor the Hoosiers’ offensive line, starting 13 games at center. During his time in South Bend, Coogan started 13 games at center and 13 at left guard. He’s a cerebral player who is alert in protection. Thus far this season he’s given up zero sacks and eight pressures. The Packers may be in the market for a new starting center this offseason and Coogan could be a potential Day 3 target.
Carter Smith, OL
Smith enters the playoffs with 38 starts at left tackle to his name. During those 38 starts, Smith has given up four sacks and 37 pressures, including zero sacks and six pressures this season. Smith plays with natural knee bend and stays balanced in his pass sets.
Omar Cooper Jr, WR
The Packers need more YAC threats and Cooper has juice after the catch. Thus far this season he has racked up 414 yards after the catch. He has the contact balance of a running back and has forced 24 missed tackles this season. He charges hard with the ball in his hands to break through arm tackles and is fearless working the middle of the field.
Elijah Sarratt, WR
Think Dontayvion Wicks without the drops. The Indiana wide receiver is a detailed route runner. He snaps off his routes and varies his tempo to keep defensive backs off balance. The former zero-star recruit enters the playoffs with 51 receptions for 687 yards and a Big 10 leading 12 receiving touchdowns.
Two more
Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski is a physical run blocker who is more than willing to do the dirty work. The transfer from Wisconsin may not get a ton of volume in Indiana’s aerial attack but when the ball comes his way he catches it (zero drops on the season).
Stephen Daley has lived in the backfield during his first season with the Hoosiers. The Kent State transfer has recorded 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 41 pressures and 24 run stops. At 6-1, Daley could be “too small” for Green Bay’s liking, but with 414 snaps on special teams to his name and his ability to disrupt the action in the backfield, Daley could be a late Day 3 target.
