The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 offseason with a clear priority: fortify the cornerback position. It was the biggest soft spot on an otherwise promising defense last season, and after largely standing pat at the position a year ago, the Packers can’t afford another offseason of inaction.
But here’s the catch - Green Bay won’t have the same financial wiggle room in free agency this time around. And given their long-standing preference for drafting and developing corners in-house, it’s unlikely they’ll go big-game hunting in the veteran market. That puts the spotlight squarely on the draft, where there’s talent to be had across all three days.
One name that keeps surfacing as a natural fit for what defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon wants to do? Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal.
At 6'2", 208 pounds, Neal fits the Packers' prototype to a tee - big, physical, and disruptive at the line of scrimmage. Under GM Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay has consistently favored corners who check in north of 190 pounds, and Neal comfortably clears that bar.
That size isn't just for show, either. Turn on the tape, and you’ll see a corner who thrives in press coverage, using his frame and strength to jam receivers and throw off timing right from the snap.
But Neal isn’t just a bruiser. He’s technically sound, too.
In man coverage, he shows disciplined eyes and smart footwork, keying on a receiver’s hips rather than biting on head fakes or double moves. That kind of patience and technique is what separates raw athletes from NFL-ready defenders.
And when it comes to finishing plays, Neal shows up - just one missed tackle on the entire 2025 season speaks to his consistency.
He’s no slouch at the catch point either. Over the past two seasons, Neal racked up 15 pass breakups and four interceptions.
He’s comfortable playing through the hands of receivers and competing for the football in the air - traits that translate well to Sundays. His invitation to the Senior Bowl only adds to his stock.
The Packers have historically treated that event as a key part of their evaluation process, and they’ve got a track record of drafting players who show out in Mobile.
Neal’s college career is also worth noting. He began at Fresno State, logging 675 defensive snaps across three seasons before transferring to Arkansas, where he added another 771.
Of those, 687 came on the outside - a number that jumps off the page when you consider what Green Bay needs most. With Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs already holding it down in the slot, the Packers are clearly in the market for a true boundary corner.
Neal fits that bill.
Now, he’s not a perfect prospect. One area where he’s a bit light is special teams - just 12 snaps in that phase during his final season.
That’s something Green Bay typically weighs heavily, especially for mid-round picks who may need to contribute on special teams early in their careers. But Neal’s clean medical history and solid character reviews help balance the scale.
No recent injuries, no off-field concerns - just a steady, reliable presence.
He currently sits 88th on the consensus big board, right in the range of Green Bay’s third-round pick at No. 84.
But with cornerback being such a premium position - and with the Packers lacking a surplus of picks - there’s a legitimate argument that they may need to move sooner if they want to land him. Depending on how the board falls, the position could even be in play as early as pick No.
Regardless of when they pull the trigger, one thing’s clear: the Packers need help at cornerback, and Julian Neal checks a lot of the boxes they traditionally value. He’s a Day 2 option who could step in and provide depth right away, with the upside to become a long-term answer on the outside. If Green Bay’s looking to get tougher and more reliable on the perimeter, Neal’s name should be high on the list.