Daniel Whelan keeps shattering franchise punting records

Wes Hodkiewicz

"Pre-draft picture" is a position-by-position look at the Packers' roster heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. The series concludes with special teams.

GREEN BAY The Packers have a new special teams coordinator in Cam Achord and a renewed focus on the return game with the signing ofSkyy Moore.

A second-round pick by Kansas City in 2022, Moore made waves last season as both a kickoff and punt returner for the San Francisco 49ers.

Moore fashioned a 27.5-yard average on 33 kickoff returns, including a 98-yard return on the opening kickoff against Arizona in Week 11. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver also ranked seventh in punt returns, generating 291 yards off 25 punts (11.6 avg.).

The Packers have been seeking more consistent production from their return teams since two-time All-ProKeisean Nixonbecame a starting perimeter cornerback two seasons ago.

Injuries derailed Green Bay's plans for 2025 as third-year punt returnerJayden Reedbroke his collarbone in Week 2 against Washington while rookiesSavion WilliamsandMatthew Goldenalso missed time.

Williams showed promise early on, averaging 25.6 yards per return on 28 kickoffs, but was eventually shut down for the season due to a foot injury.

Williams' replacement,Bo Melton, also landed on injured reserve after tweaking his knee in the finale against Minnesota and the Packers were forced to use starting running backJosh Jacobson kickoffs in the playoffs.

With Reed on IR and Golden sidelined with a shoulder injury, Romeo Doubs picked up the baton on punt returns. The Packers' starting wideout was steady but unspectacular, as Green Bay finished last in NFL punt-return average (5.6 yards per return).

With Doubs signing in New England and Golden lined up for more offensive opportunities, Green Bay identified Moore as a potential salve to sooth its kickoff- and punt-return troubles.

The former Western Michigan standout returned kickoffs briefly for the Chiefs during his rookie season in 2022 before winning both return jobs during his lone season in San Francisco.

One area the Packers have zero questions to address entering 2026 comes at punter where the team has developed one of the NFL's top rising prospects inDaniel Whelan.

The 27-year-old punter signed an extension last September and proceeded to reset the single-season franchise record for both gross (51.7 yards per punt) and net average (43.9).

Whelan was the first Packers punter to lead the NFL in gross average since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. That 51.7-yard average also was the third-best single-season mark by an NFL punter in league history. For his efforts, Whelan received the fifth-most votes among punters in AP All-Pro balloting.

Helping stabilize the punt unit is veteranMatt Orzech. The 31-year-old long snapper has played in 55 straight games since signing with the Packers in March 2023. Like Whelan, Orzech signed a long-term extension with Green Bay last summer.

At kicker,Brandon McManuswill look to put his best foot forward after a turbulent 2025 season that saw the 13th-year veteran battle through injury and setbacks.

A midseason quad issue sidelined McManus for three games and played a role in the 34-year-old kicker converting 24 of 30 field goals (80%) during the regular season. McManus was building momentum before missing two field goals and an extra point in Green Bay's 31-27 NFC Wild Card loss to Chicago.

The Packers retained third-year kickerLucas Havrisik, who in relief of McManus drilled the longest field goal in franchise history from 61 yards against Arizona last October.

McManus returned and Havrisik finished the year on Green Bay's practice squad after making all four of his field-goal attempts and going 7-of-9 on extra points in three appearances.

The Packers will need to replace one of their two flyers on punt coverage after special-teams stalwart Zayne Anderson signed with Miami in free agency.

Aside from that, the Packers retained a bulk of their coverage players after using the initial wave of free agency to re-signNick Niemann,Chris Brooks,Arron MosbyandKristian Welch.

Special teams captainIsaiah McDuffieis also back after leading the unit with 302 snaps played last year. McDuffie, Brooks, Niemann, safetyEvan Williamsand linebackerTy'Ron Hoppereach recorded 10-plus coverage tackles last year.

Pre-draft picture series, previous installments

QBs:Love still on rise as search for new backup begins

RBs:Looking for better health

WRs/TEs:Confidently moving forward

OL:Changes up front coming into focus

DL:Its a new day on Packers defensive line

LBs:Packers have new man in the middle

DBs:Packers aiming to add at cornerback