One of the Packers’ biggest remaining needs as the draft approaches still remains along the defensive front, particularly the defensive line. While they did add some reinforcements in the form of 33-year-old former Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave, they still need more bodies. Defensive line was definitely one of the most underwhelming position groups from a season ago, and a repeat performance will likely hold the 2026 team back. However, there is one intriguing player that hasn’t really been talked about that might be able to contribute, and that is already on the roster: Jordan Riley.

Riley was brought to Green Bay late last season on a 2-year deal from the New York Giants’ practice squad when injuries were decimating the Packers’ d-line. He was signed alongside fellow defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna to enhance the team’s depth, giving both men a chance to stick and play some meaningful snaps as the Packers raced toward the playoffs. While Bohanna lasted just a few weeks, Riley actually flashed when given a chance before being placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles against the Ravens in Week 17.

Before finding his way to Green Bay, Riley was a 2023 7th-round draft pick of the Giants out of the University of Oregon (among other schools). In his Giants career, he appeared in 21 games with 5 starts during his two seasons there and recorded 20 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, with a QB hit and no sacks. The fact that the Packers signed him to a 2-year deal right away signals to me that they like what Riley can bring to this team.

Before that Achilles tear on that cold Monday night, Riley appeared in four games for Green Bay, logging two total tackles. Now, two tackles while playing 26% of the defensive snaps isn’t much to write home about from a production standpoint, but Riley did provide the Packers with something they were lacking prior to his arrival: a big-bodied run-stuffer. At 6-5, 338 pounds, Riley is one of the biggest players on the defensive side of the football and can eat up blockers. In those few games in a Packers uniform, Riley was consistently making noise in and around the ball carrier. Maybe he wasn’t the one making the tackle, but getting the runner off his intended path and into the arms of another waiting defender was a welcome sight.

When he was signed, some were projecting he could have been the 2025 version of Howard Green. Green, of course, was released by the Jets midseason in 2010 and joined the Packers shortly thereafter, helping provide a massive presence in the middle of that defensive front next to B.J. Raji. While Riley isn’t nearly as experienced as Green was, he is bigger (Green was listed at 6’2”, 340). The shot in the arm that a sluggish unit needed. We’ll never know if Riley could have made more of an impact in the playoffs for last year’s team, but we do have the chance to see how he can impact the 2026 one.

If the Packers miss out on adding a defensive tackle with either of their first few selections, it might be unrealistic to expect a mid- to late-round draft pick to come in and make a big impact. As of right now, the starting front at defensive tackle is looking like Javon Hargrave and Karl Brooks until Devonte Wyatt is healthy enough to play coming off his broken ankle. Behind them is 2025 6th-round pick Warren Brinson, 2025 undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse and former Packers draft pick Jonathan Ford. Brinson also has god size and played decently for a 6th-round pick, so it’s possible the Packers ask and expect him to take a step forward, but Stackhouse barely made it on the field. The former Georgia Bulldog played just 14% of the snaps and, if Riley didn’t get hurt, would have been out-snapped by him. Ford couldn’t make the active roster for years before he had to go to Chicago and Green Bay brought him back late last year out of pure necessity for bodies once Riley got hurt. Even if the Packers add a rookie to that room, there will definitely be an opportunity for Riley to come back and earn his way onto the field if he can return early enough.

That recovery timeline will be the biggest hurdle. Achilles tears are a very difficult injury to make a fast and full recovery from, especially for a 338-pound man. If the general timeline of 10–12 months runs its course, a realistic return would place him around the start of the second half of the season if all goes well. Even once he is cleared and ready, it could take a while to get back into the swing of things. Aaron Rodgers has gone on record stating he never quite felt the same in his comeback season with the Jets after his Achilles injury, so it could take the soon-to-be 28-year-old all of next year to get back to his former self.

But the fact remains that there will be an opportunity for him whenever he is able to step back on the grass. The Packers’ defensive line is far from a finished product, and it’s doubtful this draft or what’s left in free agency is going to supply all of the answers. Any injuries that may occur throughout the season will only further that. Maybe Riley can provide the Howard Green-like boost to the 2026 team that he was supposed to provide last year.