Unpacking Future Packers: No. 23, Wyoming OL Caden Barnett

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

Brian Gutekunst has consistently invested in the offensive line. Since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted 17 offensive linemen. Out of those 17 picks, 12 of them were on Day 3.

With the Packers needing to bolster the depth of their offensive line, Gutekunst could once again target an offensive lineman on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, with a potential target being Caden Barnett. The Wyoming offensive linemen checks in at No. 23 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A native of Texas and a high school offensive tackle, Barnett redshirted during his first season at Wyoming. In 2022, he started one game at right tackle. The following season, Barnett started 10 games at right tackle. In 2024, Barnett started 12 games at right tackle. During his final season at Wyoming, Barnett started 12 games at right guard.

“Caden Barnett represented loyalty for Wyoming in a landscape where that isn’t prioritized enough,” Alex Taylor, a University of Wyoming beat writer for WyoSports, said. “He’s one of the few players in this year’s draft class to play his entire career for one school, and that benefited him enormously with his development since coming out of high school. His continuity in the program allowed him to develop into a key leader for the team.”

At 6-3, 316 pounds, with 33-inch arms and tackle-guard versatility, Barnett certainly checks the boxes for the Packers. Throw in his athleticism and the potential to play center and he screams “Green Bay Day 3 offensive lineman.” Barnett clocked a 1.73 10-yard split, a 4.55 short shuttle, and a 7.65 3-cone.

Barnett is a strong run blocker. He plays with a ton of energy and is always looking for work. The Wyoming product has a high football IQ and understands how to use angles to help him open up running lanes. His athleticism is on full display when he gets out in space. He has nimble feet and moves like a tight end. He doesn’t labor and is quick to hit his landmarks. Barnett plays with a low-center gravity and stays under his blocks to great surge. 

“There are several clips of Barnett running 15 yards upfield and pancaking a defensive back on a run play,” Taylor said. “He is very athletic and agile for his size, which allows him to use his size advantage to gain leverage on edges or up the middle. He played both tackle and guard in college, which has given him a variety of looks in run blocking.”

Barnett is probably best suited to play guard at the next level. He’s a bit heavy-legged and quicker edge rushers can give him issues. Get him inside, and he could thrive. During his lone season playing guard, he allowed 1 sack and 18 pressures. Out of those 18 pressures, six of them came against Nevada, where he played 35 snaps at right guard and 30 at right tackle. He stays balanced in his setup and doesn’t panic in his reset. His football acumen shows up in pass protection. He has alert eyes.

“His pass protection is fairly consistent,” Taylor said. “Aside from the occasional blow-by or penalty, Barnett has proven more than capable of defending his quarterback at both guard and tackle. He was playing in one of the worst passing offenses in the country the past two seasons, which made a lot of Wyoming’s plays predictable in certain situations.”

Fit with the Packers

In theory, the Packers have their starting offensive line in place for the upcoming season. They’ll roll out Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton and Zach Tom to protect Jordan Love.

Adding a player like Barnett, who offers four-position versatility, could prove to be incredibly valuable as the Packers need to bolster the depth of the offensive line.

With his experience, athleticism and work ethic, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Barnett could challenge Belton for reps at right guard.

Even if Taylor doesn’t earn a starting role immediately in Green Bay, adding a player who could play multiple positions on Day 3 of the draft is a great use of resources.

“If anybody knows about Caden Barnett as a prospect, then they’ve probably seen the viral videos of him yelling and screaming up and down the field,” Taylor said. “His energy and willingness to be vocal exemplify who he is as a player. He has no problem leaving everything he has out on the field for his teammates, which isn’t something people can say about every NFL prospect in today’s era of NIL and transferring every other year.