The Green Bay Packers head into the 2026 offseason with plenty of momentum - and plenty of questions. With head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst both returning, the leadership structure is intact.
But the roster? That’s where the work begins.
The departure of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley means the staff needs retooling, and with the NFL Draft process kicking into gear, scouting becomes priority number one.
The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, set for January 27 in Frisco, Texas, offers a prime opportunity for NFL hopefuls to make their mark. And for a Packers team looking to add depth and upside on both sides of the ball, this all-star showcase could be a goldmine. Here are three names Green Bay should have circled on their Shrine Bowl scouting sheet.
1. Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
Tight end might not seem like an immediate need with Tucker Kraft penciled in as the long-term starter, but his ACL injury in 2025 complicates things. Even if Kraft is back for Week 1, the Packers would be wise to bolster the position - and Utah’s Dallen Bentley is an intriguing option.
Bentley is coming off a breakout campaign with the Utes, posting 48 catches for 620 yards and six touchdowns. He’s not just a pass-catcher, though.
He brings a physical edge as a run blocker, playing a key role in Utah’s record-setting 3,462-yard rushing season. That kind of dual-threat ability is exactly what Green Bay values in its tight ends.
He’s shown the ability to track the ball over his shoulder and make tough catches in traffic, and his 257 yards after the catch in 2025 point to sneaky playmaking ability once the ball is in his hands. With a tight end room that currently includes Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney, and Messiah Swinson - none of whom are guaranteed roster spots - Bentley could be a name to watch closely in Frisco.
2. Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia
The Packers have built a young, dynamic wide receiver room, but with Romeo Doubs potentially heading out in free agency, there’s room - and reason - to add more talent. Enter Noah Thomas, a 6-foot-5 speedster from Georgia who could be a Day 3 steal.
Thomas brings legit size and vertical speed, a combination that’s tough to find outside the early rounds. He’s still refining his route tree and needs to add some functional strength, but the natural tools are there - especially when it comes to tracking the deep ball. Across four seasons split between Texas A&M and Georgia, Thomas totaled 89 receptions, 1,238 yards, and 19 touchdowns.
With Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks entering the final year of their contracts, and with the Packers always willing to take swings at receiver talent, Thomas fits the mold of a developmental prospect with upside. He’s the kind of player who could thrive in Green Bay’s system with the right coaching and time to grow.
3. Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
Defensively, the Packers have some heavy hitters, but injuries to Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt leave them thin up front. That makes the interior defensive line a clear area of focus - and Texas A&M’s Albert Regis might be just what they’re looking for.
Regis is a rock in the middle, with the kind of anchor strength that holds up against double teams and frees up linebackers to make plays. He’s not just a space-eater, though. He moves well for his size and has shown the ability to pursue ball carriers and disrupt plays in the backfield.
His versatility along the defensive front is a plus, and his production over 51 college games - 116 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections, and 3.5 sacks - speaks to a player who understands his role and executes it well. For a Green Bay defense that needs rotational depth and long-term building blocks, Regis is a name worth circling.
Bottom Line
The Shrine Bowl is more than just a showcase - it’s a chance for teams like the Packers to find value in places others might overlook. With needs at tight end, wide receiver, and defensive tackle, Green Bay should be watching closely. Dallen Bentley, Noah Thomas, and Albert Regis all bring traits that fit the Packers’ mold: versatility, upside, and a competitive edge that can translate to Sundays.
The draft process is just getting started, but the road to reshaping the 2026 roster begins now - and it might just run through Frisco.