Unpacking Future Packers: No. 35, Arkansas DT Cameron Ball

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

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The Green Bay Packers addressed the most pressing roster need when they signed Javon Hargrave to a two-year deal. The addition of the veteran defensive tackle bolsters the interior of the defensive line, but there is still work to be done to improve that position group.

A potential target on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Cameron Ball. The Arkansas defensive tackle checks in at No. 35 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit out of Georgia, Ball recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack during his redshirt freshman season in 2022. The following season he recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and a .5 sack.

In 2024, Ball enjoyed a breakout campaign, recording 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 27 run stops and 14 pressures. This past season, Ball recorded a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss.

"He was consistently double-teamed and dealt with an injury midway through the year," Jackson Fuller, a University of Arkansas sports reporter for the Times Record, said. "He was a leader throughout his time on campus and one of the most well-liked players in the locker room. He was fantastic as a junior in 2024, both against the run and the pass."

At 6-4, 310 pounds, Ball is a stout run defender and can be difficult to move off his spot. He's powerfully built and has good length (33-inch arms). There is no off switch for his motor, and he competes with the right temperament for trench warfare. He redirects well for a man his size to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. He has the flexibility and balance to maneuver in tight spaces. Over the past two seasons, he recorded 44 run stops.

"He's got terrific athleticism with a relentless motor, which can be half the battle along the interior of the defensive line," Fuller said. "He can play in one-gap or two-gap techniques and has strong enough hands to push offensive linemen backward. Ball finds a lot of success when given a one-on-one matchup."

Ball has strong hands and utilizes a strong rip move to pry through gaps as a rusher. He has voltage in his hands to create knockback and drive offensive linemen backwards. He may get credit for a sack, but he has the ability to collapse the pocket. He recorded 35 pressures over the past two seasons.

"He's not going to be a third-down defensive tackle, but he can fight through long-developing passing plays on early downs and eventually get to the quarterback," Fuller said. "He was a wrecking ball against the pass during Arkansas' upset win over Tennessee in 2024."

Fit with the Packers

Even with the addition of Hargave, defensive tackle remains a top priority for Gutekunst to address. Devonte Wyatt is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off a season-ending injury. Karl Brooks is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.

It's a group that needs to be more impactful. Ball may not ever develop into a game wrecker, but he has some Greg Gaines to his game and he has a clear path to playing time early in his career as a two-down player. Even with his potential as an interior pass rusher being somewhat capped, there is value in adding a player who can two-gap and provide some splash plays on Day 3 of the draft.

"Ball can be a rotational NFL piece and perhaps develop into a big-time player when he surrounds himself with better talent that just didn't exist at Arkansas in 2025," Fuller said. "For me, what stands out most about Ball are his intangibles. He will be one of the hardest workers in this draft class and has a love for the game."

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 35, Arkansas DT Cameron Ball

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