Green Bay, WI – As the Green Bay Packers evaluate potential additions to their defensive line for the 2026 NFL Draft, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton has emerged as a prospect drawing significant attention. Currently ranked No. 65 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown, Halton is projected as a possible third or fourth-round selection.
The Packers’ need for interior defensive line reinforcements is clear. In the recently completed season, Devonte Wyatt led the team’s defensive tackles with four sacks and six tackles for loss, appearing in 10 games. However, the remaining defensive tackles combined for just one sack and seven tackles for loss, highlighting a significant disparity in production. Karl Brooks registered 25 pressures, while Wyatt contributed 22 before a season-ending injury, leaving a void in consistent pressure from the interior.
Halton, a four-star recruit out of St. Augustine High School in California, has steadily developed throughout his collegiate career. He recorded one tackle for loss in his first season with the Sooners, followed by 3.5 tackles for loss in 2023. His production continued to climb in 2024, with six tackles for loss and five sacks. This past season, as a full-time starter, Halton recorded seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning recognition as a consistent disruptor.
“Gracen played his best season of football in 2025,” said Carson Field, a reporter for Sooners on SI. “He was a constant disruptor and was particularly dominant at stopping the run. I’d argue that he was the most consistent player on Oklahoma’s stout defensive line.”
Standing at 6-2 and weighing 293 pounds, Halton possesses a powerfully built frame. Scouts note his violent hands and ability to effectively counter opposing offensive linemen. Beyond his strength, he demonstrates good initial quickness, allowing him to quickly penetrate the pocket and disrupt plays. Over the past two seasons, Halton has accumulated 8.5 sacks and 59 pressures, showcasing his growing impact as a pass rusher.
Field further elaborated on Halton’s strengths, stating, “Halton seems to put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. His explosiveness helps him break through and apply steady pressure.” He also acknowledged a potential limitation, noting that Halton “is somewhat limited…if he picks up a double team, due to his size.”
Halton’s flexibility and balance through contact allow him to navigate gaps and create disruption in the backfield. He recorded a career-high 19 run stops in 2025, alongside his seven tackles for loss. Field emphasized Halton’s ability to finish tackles, particularly against challenging running backs like Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, Michigan’s Justice Haynes, and Auburn’s Jeremiah Cobb, all of whom he faced during the season.
Analysts believe Halton could be a valuable addition to the Packers’ defensive line. The team needs more active players on the interior, and Halton’s quickness and power suggest he could develop into a disruptive force. “Halton has great upside, and he’s fairly agile for a defensive tackle,” Field said. “His steady improvement is encouraging…I firmly believe that Halton is one of the more underrated players in this draft class and will be a low-risk, high-reward type of player.”
Adding a player with Halton’s potential could provide a much-needed boost to Green Bay’s interior pass rush and contribute to more negative plays against opposing offenses. The Packers are seeking a player capable of creating chaos, and Halton’s skillset suggests he could fill that role effectively.
