Even without a first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Green Bay Packers are still in position to find real value - and they might not have to look far to do it. One name that’s quickly gaining steam is Wisconsin edge rusher Mason Reiger, who turned heads at the East-West Shrine Bowl and could be a perfect mid-round fit for the Packers.
Reiger isn’t just some local favorite getting a courtesy mention. He earned Defensive MVP honors at the Shrine Bowl, showcasing a motor that doesn’t quit and a skillset that’s starting to pop on NFL radars. He’s one of just two Badgers invited to the NFL Combine, and his stock is rising fast.
Now, let’s talk fit - because Reiger checks a lot of boxes for Green Bay.
The Packers’ edge room is in flux. With Micah Parsons recovering from a torn ACL, the team’s pass rush took a noticeable hit late last season.
Beyond that, there are real questions about the future of Quay Walker and Rashan Gary, both of whom could become cap casualties depending on how Green Bay structures its roster. Lucas Van Ness, meanwhile, is still developing and hasn’t quite delivered on the flashes he showed coming out of college.
That leaves the door wide open for a young, high-upside edge rusher to step in and carve out a role.
Reiger may not have lit up the stat sheet during his final year at Wisconsin - five sacks in 2025 won’t jump off the page - but the tape tells a different story. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, he’s got the frame teams covet, and his combination of speed and power was on full display during Shrine Bowl week. He consistently won reps, disrupted plays, and proved he can hang with top-tier talent.
More importantly, Reiger plays with the kind of physicality and edge that fits the Packers’ defensive identity. He’s not just a pass rusher - he sets the edge, plays with discipline, and brings a level of tenacity that coaches love. He’s the kind of guy who may not start Week 1, but could become a valuable rotational piece with starter upside.
Of course, Green Bay has other needs to address. Cornerback and nose tackle are both areas that need reinforcements, and the front office will have to balance priorities. But if Reiger is still on the board in the third round, the value might be too good to pass up.
There’s also the added bonus of keeping a Badger in-state - something that always resonates with the fan base. And while that’s not a reason to draft a player, it’s certainly a nice cherry on top when the fit is this clean.
If Reiger continues to impress at the Combine, there’s a chance he climbs out of the Packers’ range. But if he’s sitting there when Green Bay is on the clock in the middle rounds, they’d be wise to take a long, hard look. He’s a high-upside prospect who fills a real need - and he’s already proving he belongs.