Packers Select Defensive End, Dani Dennis-Sutton in 2026 NFL Draft - Round 4, Pick 120
By Mike Price
Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn St
MEASURABLES/PRO DAY:
6'6" , 256 lbs
4.63 40-Yard Dash; 6.90 Three-Cone, 9.96 RAS
VIDEO:
NFL SCOUTING REPORT:
He uses hand violence and brute force to challenge tackles with weak anchors. He’ll get bounced around because his pad level is too high, but he’s tough to finish and finds his way to the action when it’s near him.
Physically, he’s impressive—tall, long, powerful, and explosive, with elite combine testing that confirms his top-tier athletic profile. That shows up on tape, too: He can overwhelm blockers with speed-to-power skill and close quickly in pursuit.
However, his pass rush game remains incomplete. The biggest issue is his lack of bend at the top of his rush.
Dani Dennis-Sutton looks like he was built in a lab to play in the NFL. At 6'5", 265 pounds with long arms, he has the size and length for the position, with plenty of strength to be a quality run-defender and solid power-rusher.
Scheme Versatility: Due to Dennis-Sutton’s size and overall mass, he could be used in multiple schemes and in multiple alignments to be an effective run defender.
Dennis-Sutton is a powerful player at the point of attack and he stays balanced through contact. He has strong hands to shed blocks. His motor runs hot and he's a physical tackler. To go along with his 25 tackles for loss the past two seasons, he also recorded 56 run stops.
FIT WITH THE PACKERS:
He will immediately be the team's third-best pass rusher and be the third-down edge from week one, with Micah Parsons likely out for 3-4 weeks to start the season. There's a chance that he will play more than the Packers' first two picks, Chris McClellan and Brandon Cisse.
He has the athletic ability and, frankly, the production coming from Penn State that could mean the Packers don't need to accept Lukas Van Ness's fifth-year option or extend him to a big-money contract.
CAREER NOTES:
Dennis-Sutton is a rare player who played for one school for four years in college. He made an impact over all four years at Penn St and started in three of them. He is fifth in Penn St history with seven forced fumbles and sixth with 24 sacks.
Career Defensive Statistics
| Season | Team | Gp | Gs | Total | Solo | Ast | Tfl | Sack | Ff | Fr | Pbu | Int | Pdef | Td |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | Penn St. | 13 | 0 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 3.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Penn St. | 13 | 3 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 3.5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Penn St. | 16 | 14 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 8.5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Penn St. | 13 | 13 | 42 | 26 | 16 | 12 | 8.5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Totals: | 55 | 30 | 127 | 78 | 49 | 34.5 | 23.5 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
COMMENTARY:
We did it! Dani Dennis-Sutton was a favorite among most of Packers Twitter. For many, he would've been an ideal second-round pick, having the chance to take him in the fourth, while also taking a first-round talent at corner and run stuffer at the nose makes for an ideal Packers draft so far. Will they go offense with their next few picks?
Dennis-Sutton is a former five-star recruit and may have been a day one pick if he had gone to a school that majored in teaching players to play football instead of how to deadlift.
This is the second straight season where the Packers have invested a day three pick on an incredibly athletic edge who slid down the draft board. Dennis-Sutton and Sorrell have similar size and both have plus athletic profiles. In the past, the Packers would take a QB every year and develop them; maybe the new strategy is to take a 90th percentile edge to develop.
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Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan who recently moved from Utah to Stoughton (a Madison suberb). You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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Comments (81)
gsd3
April 25, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Holy crap ! In a good way.
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Wow...didn't expect him to be even in the same zip code. Maybe after this draft we will actually hear Gannon speak to the press?
His wish list has some big black el Marko "checks" on it.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:10 pm
Ha—-YES!
MitchAnthony
April 25, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Well, there should be enough people now saying The Dentist fell to the Packers. This should make a couple few people happy.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:10 pm
Make me happy!!
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Lucky
Bitternotsour
April 25, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Lucky according to plan.
DoubleJ
April 26, 2026 at 08:45 am
I would say it is lucky that he was there. The Jags decided to take Wesley Williams out of Duke instead of DDS. DDS was 72 on consensus and Williams was 233 on consensus so IDK what the Jags were doing.
Oppy
April 25, 2026 at 12:30 pm
I like how you choose to say, "Gutekunst and this Packers front office have selected a player I approve of."
TKWorldWide
April 25, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Shocks…pegs…ever take it off any sweet jumps and get like 3 feet of air?
PackfanNY
April 25, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Definitely a Needs based Draft for Gute. CB, DT now an Edge. Nice work so far.
Oppy
April 25, 2026 at 12:31 pm
I must be the only Packers fan who doesn't think Edge rusher is an overt need.
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Really? Need to replace Gary and Enagbare and I hope Sorrell and Oliver can...but both are still unproven. Cox Jr is unproven too. The pass rush makes the games so much more enjoyable for the DBs...and getting more turnovers in general. A few productive wingmen will make Parsons an even more effective QB hunter.
Edge was overt need #3 for me...CB and DL were the first two.
Oppy
April 25, 2026 at 01:40 pm
Enagbare was a proverbial "just a guy" - I liked him, but he wasn't anything more than an average player. Unproven doesn't mean unable, and I liked what I saw of both Cox and and Sorrell in limited playtime. I personally don't have much faith in Van Ness living up to his billing, but he can hold down the fort while we're waiting on Parsons to recover.
I'm happy to have Dennis-Sutton on the roster, but was it a need? Certainly not like the need for Corner, NT, or OL in my opinion. I would have also placed RB in front of OLB/DE/Edge defender (whatever we might be calling them now in the new defense), and I didn't necessarily think RB was a dire need, either.
SicSemperTyrannis
April 25, 2026 at 10:26 pm
Getting great CBs is a waste if your D line isn't good.
DoubleJ
April 26, 2026 at 08:51 am
You can never have enough good pass rushers. At the very least the value of DDS at 120 was too high to pass up. He was 72 on consensus which puts him late R2 to early R3 pick usually. Getting him at 120 is a STEAL and that doesn't even bring up the positional value of Edge over any other position except QB. You also have to remember that you don't draft to fill positions in 2026, that is what you use free agency for. You draft for where your roster will be in a year or two. Right now in 2027 the Packers wouldn't have LVN or Cox Jr. under contract so you then have Parsons, Sorrell, and Oliver.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:11 pm
Yes—love it!
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Three picks so far, and two of them were exactly the guy I was hoping they would pick. Dennis-Sutton was a consensus #73, and they got him at #120. High RAS (9.93) AND productive in college (in 2025: 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and broke up 3 passes).
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Yep! Agree Greg. Always want to see a good resume of college production. Earning it against top competition is another tell. Nice RAS but love his production more. I was hoping for Joseph TN...only because I did not think DS would fall to the Packers.
Our "first rounder" is Micah Parsons who should be an amazing example to all 3 prospects...but DS is going to be a MP sponge.
Houndog
April 25, 2026 at 01:18 pm
And blocked 3 punts, I like dat!
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 12:14 pm
YYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was the guy I wanted in round 3 and we just scored him in Round 4 without moving up. In a lot of my mocks I took Jacas @ #52 if he fell or Dennis-Sutton @ #84. Some of you don't like him because he is a traditional Packers type of Edge, but I think this guy can start Day 1 in 2026. He is more talented than any Edge we have other than Parsons, and he is better than Gary when we drafted him.
4th round!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a score by GB. We actually fixed needs and filled holes this year. WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!!!
Kiss my a$$ BPA!!!!!!!!!
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 12:47 pm
He was the BPA.
His change of direction is
why he dropped.
They were Lucky he was there.
I had Curry- Because I thought he'd be gone.
But Edge in the 3rd rd FIT.
greengold
April 25, 2026 at 01:36 pm
HUGE GET, stockholder!!!
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:09 pm
Congratulations, You got your guy. He is also on the All-BigTen academic team which should help him learn on the go and play up and down. He will be a gap control and attack dog, not very much bend to spin the wheels around the corner. He should improve with better technique.
Coldworld
April 25, 2026 at 01:16 pm
Stiff one trick pony. A less robust Gary. No turn. No learn. Gute may well have lost me for good after the last 2 rounds. He just can’t seem to learn.
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 01:25 pm
Your too loyal.
If he fires MLF
you'd put him in the hall of Fame.
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:35 pm
Too late now. LaFleur should have been moved after the Bear Game, fiasco. Speaking of loyalty.
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:32 pm
I would have preferred a move up in Rd Four to snag an OG/OT. He must be contemplating some Veteran s from the free agent ranks.
greengold
April 25, 2026 at 01:34 pm
Who are you, and what did you do with Coldworld?
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 02:14 pm
Totally disagree Coldworld. I don't know what highlights of Gary you watched because there weren't many to see. Dennis-Sutton is an upgrade from Gary in every way. This dude is fast and powerful. Penn State is on the Big Ten network more than my Hawkeyes so I saw a lot of Penn State games. Dennis-Sutton would take over games and was always the best D-line player on the field.
One other overlooked thing, Parsons is a much better teammate than I would have thought with him being a superstar. I have liked how he seems to take a real interest in his teammates. Dennis-Sutton is a Nittany Lion just like Parsons and I bet Parsons will show a special interest and take him under his wing, so to speak. I think Dennis-Sutton plays right away, plays a lot, and we could have 2 players from Penn State with double digit sacks in GB this year. He is better than all of our other backup Edges right now.
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 02:27 pm
When Dennis-Sutton was drafted, Parsons immediately posted on social media, welcoming him to the team.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:13 pm
I have same sentiments as GolfPacker.
murf7777
April 25, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Add 10 pounds to him and we’re ready to roll—love his motor. Now bring in some offensive linemen and I’m feeling great. Build those trenches, baby! Our defense is really coming together. We just need to find a way to sneak into the top five to get where we want to go.
Alberta_Packer
April 25, 2026 at 12:20 pm
I can't recall when the Board has fallen more favorably for the Packers.
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 12:31 pm
I was just thinking that very thing. Except for last year when the board fell well on a loaded DL class and Team Gutey went offense for some reason.
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 12:46 pm
All the best DTs unexpectedly got taken before the Packers picked in the first round. They could've and probably should've taken a DT later in the draft, but the first round definitely did not fall in their favor.
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 01:06 pm
That was the best DL class in years. Highest rated prospects always go before the Packers who usually pick late 1st. But there were solid DL prospects remaining in the first 3 rounds.
Wonder how the DTs Gutey passed on did last season?
DoubleJ
April 25, 2026 at 06:57 pm
None of the remaining DTs were top 25 picks. Tyleik Williams was 44 on the consensus board and the Lions picked him at 28. That is a bit of a reach and would have been even worse at 23. TJ Sanders and Alfred Collins were the next 2 DTs drafted and they were 59 and 64 on the consensus board respectively. For reference Golden was 18 on the consensus board. Reaching 20 spots for a player in R1 is a real good way to mess things up.
Alberta_Packer
April 25, 2026 at 12:52 pm
A good year from Morgan could offer atonement.
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:14 pm
He needs to play where he was drafted. I would have put Walker to guard before Morgan. There is much agreement about O-line dysfunction with LaFleur and Stenovich. See if they can snag an OT in round five.
WD
April 25, 2026 at 12:24 pm
My gut: OMG
This reminds me of the draft where Gute took an OL when he could have picked Cooper DeJean
The opportunity cost of not taking a superstar RB in Mike Williams in the 4th round has got to be one of Gute's worst blunders in my view. .
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 01:05 pm
Nic Singleton is a more complete RB. They are both same size, same speed, but Singleton has a btter track record at a better school. He is also a weapon catching the ball. GB could take him @ #153. He could take over for Jacobs next year.
I think you mean Washington, not Williams. Dobber or Coldworld have pointed out he doesn't like contact, even being 220 lbs. And he is a bad blocker too. I would not be unhappy with Singleton, Dallen Bently-TE, or Jeff Caldwell-WR @ #153. All would be upgrades.
WD
April 25, 2026 at 01:26 pm
Yes hopefully they can get Singleton. i have calmed down as the edge looks pretty good on paper.
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:45 pm
Chip Trayanum from Toledo is a sleeper for Rds six-seven. Power back with potential to smash as a fullback.
Singleton should be on Rd Six radar.
DoubleJ
April 26, 2026 at 09:00 am
Positional value of an Edge player is MUCH higher than RB. DDS was also a higher on the consensus board 72 vs 78.
Swisch
April 25, 2026 at 12:24 pm
This guy appears to be awesomely statuesque but with excellent speed and overall athleticism, plus Murf says he loves his motor.
Almost too good to be true.
Why wasn't he picked in the first round?
Just to be clear, if we got a great one in round four, I'm ecstatic.
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Now if Diego Pounds, Dallen Bentley, or Jeff Caldwell fall to us @ #153, this draft would be almost too good to be true!!! Keep it up Gutey and find us another pick. Trade Lloyd, Musgrave, Nixon, or McDuffie. They are all expendable.
Alberta_Packer
April 25, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Just thinking that - OL or TE in next round.
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 12:53 pm
BPA - They have stuck to it.
Keep it going.
Alberta_Packer
April 25, 2026 at 01:11 pm
That also works
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 01:16 pm
They have filled their biggest needs with these picks, the BPA thing is just luck stock. The next pick won't fit that concept because it will be TE, OL, or WR.
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 01:22 pm
Capehardt or Parker Next?
gsd3
April 25, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Maybe Miami would be interested in Nixon or Musgrave.
Might as well let the Lioyd thing play out. No trade value.
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 01:22 pm
Miami already took a TE, Kacmarek-Ohio State. too bad as they had interest in Musgrave. GB could still make a trade with the Cowboys for their TE, he was a 2nd round pick the same year we took Musgrave. They are said to be running out of patience with him like we are with Musgrave. Player for player swap, their guy is a better blocker too. Schoonmaker is his name. A change of scenery trade for both of them.
stockholder
April 25, 2026 at 01:27 pm
Kacmarek and Douglass were a reach.
The defense is where they scored big.
gsd3
April 25, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Hoping for Charles Demmings, Beau Stephens, Dallen Bentley, Demonte Capehart, or Emmett Johnson @ 153.
Pleasantly surprised so far.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 25, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Is Gute continuing his track record: good second and fourth round picks with the third round being iffy?
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 12:56 pm
For the past few years, I've been toying with this theory that Gute treats the 3rd round as a time to experiment. I don't think that was the case this year, although it was an unexpected pick. Savion Williams was kind of a wild pick, though. And Ty'Ron Hopper the year before that.
Since'75
April 26, 2026 at 08:59 pm
We'll have to see about this year.
But in the last 8 drafts, Guter's had 1.5 good picks in the 3rd
splitpea1
April 25, 2026 at 12:40 pm
I can't believe he fell this far. If Gute was going to take an edge, this was the place to do it; and the fact that we got a very talented player (albeit raw) for an excellent value is icing on the cake. It's only history, but Gute has done well in the fourth round sometimes and this could be another success. If he stays healthy, let's see how long it takes DDS to supplant a member of our starting rotation.
Oh, and hello special teams: this guy can block punts--this is where that linear rush really comes in handy.
DragonSilk
April 25, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Brandon Cisse: He's not that big, but he's not that fast either. Color me unimpressed. Every time we draft a smaller CB I think well maybe he's the next Darrell Green. I'm wrong every time.
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 12:50 pm
He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash. That's fast. He's also not that small: 5-11-3/4. That's average height for an NFL CB.
Houndog
April 25, 2026 at 01:29 pm
I don't know, 6-0, 190#, and a 4.41 40 yard dash! I've seen a helluva lot worse!
He ain't Terrell Buckley!
jannesbjornson
April 25, 2026 at 01:55 pm
Belichick disagrees and he scored a SB with the Pats. . The issue was the Packer coaching schemes and maybe Wolf. T-Buck pulled in 50 INTS over his career. Pack fans should recognize his skillset and achievements.
DoubleJ
April 26, 2026 at 08:58 am
Terrell Buckley ended up playing for 13 years in the NFL. Sure he was never a Pro Bowler much less All-Pro but he was a decent player. He did intercept 50 passes during his career. If Cisse has that long of a career that is quite good for an R2 pick.
Major Snafu
April 25, 2026 at 03:24 pm
Analyst were kind circling the wagons that he was apt for mak8bg bad decisions. He lacks size and speed an was given a C grade.
One analyst pointed out the team needed cb help and thus guy isn't it. He was puzzled by the choice.
greengold
April 25, 2026 at 12:47 pm
STUNNING. My TOP CHOICE at 52 was Dani Dennis-Sutton. Had to sweat that one out! Couldn’t be better!!!!
A great pass rush makes any CB/S better.
Whoosh! Thank you, Brian Gutekunst!
—
ED Dani Dennis-Sutton - Penn St. R2-3 (PFF 92)
6-5 268
TOUGHNESS. Run stop his bag. Needs PR work, but has the moves. Makes a lot of impact plays.
PFF 80.1 Overall. 79.7 PR. 77.7 Run D. 15.8% PR Win Rate.
8 sacks, 14 Hits, 29 Hurries, 1 Batted 2025.
GregC
April 25, 2026 at 12:51 pm
It was weird, in a good way. Many of us would've been excited to get him at #52.
greengold
April 25, 2026 at 01:16 pm
OMG. Elated.
LambeauPlain
April 25, 2026 at 01:14 pm
Exactly...a potent pass rush not only helps their mates behind them but also sees the opposing QB having a bad day at the office. Need more turnovers! The great equalizer.
greengold
April 25, 2026 at 01:19 pm
You said it, LP. This Dude is a destroyer, and should have been an R1.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:27 pm
Right on Lambeau
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 01:39 pm
GG, you and me both wanted him earlier. I really thought GB would grab him at #84. What an unbelievable value @ #120. I was sweating bullets as he got closer and when the Jags traded up in front of us, and they also had a need at Edge, I thought we were screwed. I woke up my wife yelling when they announced his selection.
I also picked him or Jacas in every mock @ #52 GG. I think he is a really good Packer fro a long time, he is only 22. And playing across from another Nittany Lions will make him even better. I can see 2 Edge rushers with double digit sacks in GBs future.
Starrbrite
April 25, 2026 at 03:26 pm
Got me fired up Greengold
SicSemperTyrannis
April 25, 2026 at 10:39 pm
And 3 blocked punts!!!
golfpacker61
April 25, 2026 at 03:17 pm
Dani Dennis-Sutton is going to get a lot of attention and coaching from Parsons. He is already a very solid player to start with, having one of the best mentoring him will put him over the top earlier. The moderator here say he is already the 3rd best Edge in GB, Who besides Parsons has proven to be better? He starts Day 1.
Minniman
April 25, 2026 at 03:24 pm
Welcome to the Packers DDoS!
Since'61
April 25, 2026 at 03:45 pm
Great pick! Best selection of the draft so far for the Packers!
Thanks, Since’61
Gman1976
April 25, 2026 at 03:55 pm
I'm still shaking my head. Can't believe he lasted this long. WOW! GPG!!!
Since'75
April 25, 2026 at 10:23 pm
Highly doubt LVN gets a 5th year option from the Pack.
Six days and counting.
Good luck Luke
******
Thumbs down...just curious
So...do you think LVN 'will' get a 5th year option?
I can't tell what you are thinking.
Do you have a thought?
Do you know anyone that can give you a thought?
If so...keep in touch 😊
*********
Kids....Stay in school!!
Since'75
April 25, 2026 at 10:28 pm
If anyone has followed Sutton in his college days, is this guy better than Gary in your opinion?
Just found this from him....
“I love football. I love playing football. I love this program. It was sort of a no-brainer for me. I don’t really comprehend not playing in a game.”
I love that.