The Green Bay Packers are wasting no time addressing the pass-rush void created by the offseason trade of former first-round pick Rashan Gary. According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the team has scheduled a pre-draft top-30 visit with Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 23.
Height, who turns 25 in mid-April, emerged as one of the most productive pass rushers in college football during his lone season with the Red Raiders. In 2025, he recorded 10 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, anchoring a loaded Texas Tech defensive front. His journey to this point has been anything but conventional: utilizing a COVID-19 waiver and a medical redshirt, the 6-foot-3, 239-pound edge defender appeared in 36 games across four programs — Auburn (2020-21), USC (2022-23), Georgia Tech (2024), and finally Texas Tech in 2025 — before exploding onto the NFL radar.
A Dynamic Pass Rusher in a Deep Class
Scouts describe Height as a lean, bendy, and technically sound edge presence who wins with a diverse toolkit of pass-rush moves rather than raw power. Despite his lighter frame for the position, he consistently disrupted offenses through relentless motor, high-quality hand usage, and the ability to bend the edge. He posted an impressive unofficial Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of approximately 8.8–8.92 out of 10.00 among defensive ends, highlighting his explosiveness and athletic upside even if he measured in on the smaller side at the Combine (where he ran an official 4.64 in the 40-yard dash).
The Packers’ interest makes perfect sense in the context of their current roster construction. After trading Gary to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason (in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick), Green Bay must restock the edge while integrating star All-Pro Micah Parsons, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season. Parsons is expected to miss time early in 2026, leaving a temporary gap that a developmental yet ready contributor like Height could help fill.
With no first-round selection in 2026 — both the 2026 and 2027 first-rounders were sent to Dallas in the blockbuster trade that brought Parsons to Green Bay — the Packers’ earliest pick is No. 52 overall in the second round. Height projects as a realistic Day 2 target, fitting neatly into the “players still available at 52” bucket in a deep edge class.
Scheme Fit and Development Plan Under Jonathan Gannon
New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is expected to implement a more versatile scheme that often features edges dropping into coverage. Height’s lighter, athletic build could actually be an asset in that system, allowing him to rush, spy, and cover effectively without needing to be a traditional every-down power end.
That said, the Packers will almost certainly look to add functional strength once Height arrives. At 239 pounds, he gives up significant size to NFL offensive tackles, and building muscle in the weight room will be a priority to help him hold the point of attack against the run while maintaining his elite bend and first-step quickness.
The broader defensive picture adds urgency. The Packers have young pieces like 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness (whose fifth-year option is unlikely to be exercised), Karl Brooks, Barryn Sorrell, and Warren Brinson, plus the recent addition of veteran Javon Hargrave inside. They also traded away defensive tackle Colby Wooden. Moving toward more of a 3-4 alignment under Gannon could increase the need for interior depth, but edge reinforcements remain a clear priority — especially with Van Ness potentially hitting free agency after 2026.
Upside Meets Opportunity
Height is not a finished product, but his production, technique, and motor give him legitimate starter upside if he can add strength without losing his twitch. In a loaded 2026 edge class, he stands out as a high-floor, developmental Day 2 prospect who could contribute immediately in sub-packages and grow into a larger role.
For a Packers team that has already executed two savvy trades with the Cowboys — first acquiring Parsons, then offloading Gary for future capital while clearing cap space — targeting Height represents another calculated step in reshaping the defense. Brian Gutekunst and company appear intent on maximizing the window around Jordan Love and Parsons without a first-round pick to lean on.
Whether Romello Height ultimately becomes the long-term answer opposite (or alongside) Micah Parsons remains to be seen. But the Packers’ early interest signals they see a potential “sack machine” who could help maintain one of the league’s most disruptive fronts — and they’re getting an early, close look before the draft.
Packers fans should get familiar with the name. In a draft where Green Bay must be efficient starting at No. 52, Romello Height checks a lot of the right boxes for a team looking to replace Rashan Gary’s production with upside, athleticism, and scheme versatility.
