The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft with a keen eye on bolstering their secondary. While the addition of Benjamin St-Juste is a step in the right direction, the Packers are still on the hunt for more depth and top-tier talent at cornerback. Essentially, they need reliable players to strengthen their defensive backfield.
In a move that signals their intent, the Packers recently conducted a formal meeting with Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. at the NFL Combine, as reported by Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated.
Pride is a standout athlete, and his performance at the Combine turned heads. He clocked a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash, paired with a 37.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot broad jump. These impressive stats contributed to a Relative Athletic Score of 8.33, showcasing his potential to be a dynamic addition to the Packers' defense under the guidance of Jonathan Gannon.
Throughout his college career, Pride primarily played as an outside corner, splitting his time between Clemson and Missouri. He also brings some experience in the slot, which could be valuable for the Packers.
However, his size has been a point of discussion. At just over 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, Pride falls into the 20th percentile for height and 19th for weight, according to Mockdraftable.
Simply put, he's on the smaller side for a cornerback.
But the Packers, led by GM Brian Gutekunst, have shown a willingness to be flexible regarding cornerback size. This is a shift from the past, where size was a more critical factor under previous management. Pride's stature is comparable to Jaire Alexander, who broke the mold when drafted in 2018 due to his size.
Given where Pride is projected to be drafted-currently ranked as player number 356 on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board-he's likely looking at a path as an undrafted free agent. This scenario might make the Packers more inclined to take a chance on his potential and athleticism.