Tag: trade up

Potential trade-up scenarios for Packers in first round of 2022 NFL draft

Highlighting five potential trade-up scenarios for the Packers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst admitted there is a real “temptation” to move up or down the board during the 2022 NFL draft, especially with so many early picks (five in the top 100 and two each in the first two rounds).

Trading out of the first round (from No. 28 overall) could give the Packers even more ammo during Day 2 of the draft and allow Gutekunst to dominate the second and third rounds. But his modus operandi during his first four drafts has been to move up aggressively to target specific players. And he has a strong roster overall with a few big and obvious needs, so a trade-up to get a top player could be in the cards.

What could a trade-up during Thursday night’s first round look like for the Packers? Here are some potential scenarios.

Another mock draft projects Seahawks trade up to select quarterback

In his recent mock draft, Chad Reuter projects the Seattle Seahawks trade up in the first round to select Mississippi QB Matt Corral.

The Seattle Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and received significant draft capital and some players in return, including quarterback Drew Lock.

But is Lock a lock to start this season? Not so fast.

Coach Pete Carroll has said he wants another competition to decide the matter and that will likely require adding another QB to the mix either via free agency or the upcoming NFL draft.

In his most recent mock for NFL.com, Chad Reuter has Seattle moving way up in the first round to select Matt Corral out of Mississippi.

“The Seahawks trade ahead of Carolina and New Orleans, giving up their 2023 first-round pick and a 2022 fifth-rounder for one of the Jets’ two fourth-rounders (No. 111),” Reuter projects. “Corral’s toughness and quick release might be more enticing to NFL teams than they are to those who cover the league.”

The chances are good the Seahawks do add at least one more signal-caller to the roster to compete this summer, but when and how they do it still remains a mystery.

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New mock draft presents reasonable trade-up scenario for Packers

Brian Gutekunst loves elite athletes, and he loves trading up in the first round. Chad Reuter’s new mock draft has the Packers moving up to No. 21 and making back-to-back picks.

Brian Gutekunst’s four years of draft history as Green Bay Packers general manager has provided a few clues in the first round: He prefers young and elite athletes, and he’s not afraid to trade up to get a player.

In a new mock draft from Chad Reuter of NFL.com, the Packers checked both boxes with a reasonable trade-up scenario from No. 28 to No. 21, ensuring the team got help at both edge rusher and wide receiver. In the mock, Reuter had the Packers move up seven spots in a trade with the New England Patriots and then take Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis and Ohio State receiver Chris Olave with back-to-back picks at No. 21 and No. 22.

The cost of the move was a third-round pick and fourth-round pick.

The trade and picks fit Gutekunst perfectly. In three of his four drafts, he traded up in the first round to get a player (Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Jordan Love), so spending mid-round picks to go up seven slots is right in his wheelhouse. Karlaftis could be a likely target in such a scenario, given the fact that he’s 21 years old, has a Relative Athletic Score over 9.0 and plays a position of need. Getting Karlaftis could give the Packers another talented young player to develop at edge rusher behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.

Olave is another strong possibility. The Ohio State star is still only 21 years old and would instantly give the Packers a wide receiver capable of contributing next season. It’s no secret; receiver is the team’s biggest draft need. Olave, with an abundance of speed and elite route-running ability, has the tools necessary for becoming a top target for Aaron Rodgers right away in 2022.

Trading up to No. 21 makes sense in this scenario because it both gives the Packers a chance to get a top player they want without waiting and prevents a team from jumping them and taking a wide receiver, so don’t be surprised if there is dialogue between the Packers and Patriots come Thursday night of the draft.

In Round 2 of Reuter’s mock, the Packers snagged Western Michigan receiver Skyy Moore (No. 53) and Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (No. 59), providing more help for the offense. The team’s third-round pick (No. 92) and first fourth-round pick (No. 132) were sent to New England in the trade up. The Packers got Florida defensive lineman Zach Carter at No. 140 in the fourth round.

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Packers trade up for edge rusher in NFL Wire network mock draft

The Packers moved up four spots in the first round to take Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis. Good move, or bad move?

The Green Bay Packers will likely lose Za’Darius Smith at some point in the next week, a result of the team’s salary cap crunch, but it’s also abundantly clear how much general manager Brian Gutekunst values the edge rusher position on his roster.

So, when the cards fell right in our NFL Wire Network mock draft of the first round, the decision was obvious: the Packers needed to move up to take an edge rusher that plays a little like Smith.

Controlling the Packers and representing Packers Wire, we moved up from No. 28 overall to No. 24 to take Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis.

The cost to go up four spots was swapping the team’s third-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys’ fourth-round pick, or going from No. 92 overall to No. 128.

The payoff, in an ideal scenario, would be getting a difference-making edge rusher to team with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. And, in time, Karlaftis could provide the versatile rusher capable of replacing Za’Darius Smith’s production while also providing a long-term sidekick for Gary.

Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire has long pointed to Karlaftis as a potential trade-up candidate.

“George Karlaftis is a powerful edge rusher with a nonstop motor. He was No. 7 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list. The Purdue edge rusher will turn 21 in April and could be a player that Brian Gutekunst targets in a possible trade up in the first round.”

Trading up for Karlaftis became the primary goal for us after receiver Drake London, another top target, went off the board at No. 23 overall.

Karlaftis is the No. 9 overall player at Pro Football Focus, so getting him at No. 24 felt like a steal. Not everyone values Karlaftis so highly, but it was worth the gamble here.

Two things to consider: the Packers like to trade up to get players in the first round, and edge rusher is a premium position. If Karlaftis drops, he could be a player the Packers go get on the first night of the 2022 NFL draft.

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Seahawks trade up in 6th round to pick Florida tackle Stone Forsythe

The Seattle Seahawks traded up in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft to pick Florida tackle Stone Forsythe at No. 208 overall.

The Seattle Seahawks traded up in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft to select tackle Stone Forsythe out of Florida with the No. 208 overall pick.

Seattle traded its sixth-rounder (No. 217) and its seventh-round pick (No. 250) to the Bears to move up for their new tackle.

The offensive line is one of the most glaring needs for the Seahawks heading into the season and hopefully Forsythe will be able to contribute sooner than later.

The left tackle is currently listed at 6-foot-8, 329 pounds and started the last two seasons.

After the trade, the Seahawks have no more picks in this year’s draft but could jump back in with another deal at some point.

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NFL.com envisions first-round trade between Packers, Steelers

Could the Packers move up to No. 24 overall in the first round on Thursday night? This trade makes sense value-wise.

If the Green Bay Packers want to trade up to target a specific player during Thursday night’s first round, general manager Brian Gutekunst could give a call to Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert.

Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com envisioned a “win-win” trade scenario where the Packers trade with the Steelers to move up to No. 24, potentially to target a wide receiver.

Frelund’s trade details: The Packers send No. 29 (first round) and No. 92 (third round) to the Steelers for No. 24 (first round) and No. 140 (fourth round).

Frelund believes the Packers would have a much better chance of grabbing a top receiver (Rashod Bateman? Elijah Moore?) by getting to 24th overall and jumping teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints at the backend of the first round.

The cost to move up five spots in the first round would be dropping 48 spots later in the draft. In this scenario, the Packers would give up a third-round pick but receive a fourth-rounder.

The draft capital of the trade checks out.

On the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart, the Packers would receive 776 points of value and trade away 772 points, making this a very even trade. On the Rich Hill Model, the Packers get 253 points while the Steelers get 246 points. Again, very even.

On Monday, Gutekunst said he’ll explore trade-up opportunities, especially if a “game-changing type player” falls into the Packers’ range in the first round on Thursday night. Gutekunst traded up in the first round during each of his first three drafts as Packers general manager.

Adding to this: Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reported that “many teams” have only 14-17 players rated as first-round caliber prospects this year. If a team like the Steelers is comfortable moving down or wants to build more draft capital, and a team like the Packers sees a first-round caliber player lingering on their board, a trade up could happen.

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Talent-rich Packers feeling free to trade up or pick best player available

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, confident in his talented roster, is feeling comfortable about options to trade up or taking the best player regardless of position.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is confident in the current construction of his roster, providing freedom to both aggressively move up in the draft or stay put and pick the best player on the board without worrying too much about need.

While Gutekunst said need can sometimes be a tiebreaker between equally-graded prospects, he doesn’t believe there is a pressing need on his roster entering the draft.

“We feel like we could go play, we have a very good football team coming back, which gives me a little more freedom, I think, as we attack the board and go with the best player,” Gutekunst said Monday.

The Packers retained a bulk of last year’s roster despite significant salary cap challenges. The team brought back running back Aaron Jones, tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, cornerbacks Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan, defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster and safety Will Redmond, helping patch potential weak points with returning veteran players.

Even at potential need positions, like cornerback, offensive tackle and the defensive line, the Packers have several experienced players coming back in 2021.

Targeting short-term needs in the draft can be a recipe for disaster. The Packers, ranked as the fourth-most talented team entering the draft according to Pro Football Focus, can focus more on acquiring the most talented and highest potential players regardless of position.

“For the most part, we try to look at the draft as a long-term investment in the Green Bay Packers,” Gutekunst said.

The freedom entering the draft also applies to aggressively maneuvering around the board, especially early.

In each of the last three drafts, Gutekunst has traded up in the first round to get a player: cornerback Jaire Alexander in 2018, safety Darnell Savage in 2019 and quarterback Jordan Love in 2020.

The Packers pick 29th overall in the first round but have 10 total picks, making Gutekusnt a prime candidate to move up again on Thursday night. He said it is “always tempting” to trade up to get players, especially when picking late in the round.

“When you’re sitting at 29, and watching those kind of players come off the board that you have spent so much time studying and thinking about how they could affect your football team, it’s always tempting. You have to be careful,” Gutekunst said.

Targeting a game-changing player could be an attractive scenario for a team coming off back-to-back NFC Championship Game losses.

“At the same time, for me, if we have a chance to move up and take a specific player that we think is special, you have to consider that,” Gutekunst said. “The last three years, we’ve done that. We’ll always do that. There’s only so many game-changing type players in this league, and if you have the opportunity to acquire one, you have to consider it.”

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Packers mock draft: Trade up in the first round edition

Envisioning a seven-round Packers mock draft after a hypothetical trade up the draft board in the first round.

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Every draft is different, but the Green Bay Packers have set a pattern under general manager Brian Gutekunst. In each of his first three drafts, Gutekunst traded up for a player in the first round.

How could a trade-up look for Gutekunst and the Packers during the 2021 draft?

Here’s a seven-round Packers mock draft, with a big trade up the board in the first round to start the proceedings:

1.21 (trade with IND): OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State: The trade-up sends two fourth-round picks (4.135, 4.142) and No. 29 overall to the pick-needy Indianapolis Colts. The end reward is Jenkins, an ideal right tackle prospect with size, elite athleticism and a rugged playstyle. Likely Day 1 starter.

2.62: S Jevon Holland, Oregon: This pick is as much an investment at cornerback and linebacker as at safety. Holland, who can play deep and as a subpackage linebacker, could unlock the versatility of Darnell Savage as a do-it-all “star” defender for Joe Barry. There’s plenty of snaps available for a capable third safety, especially if Savage plays more in the slot.

3.92: WR Nico Collins, Michigan: Big and fast, just how the Packers like receivers. Wins vertically. Run blocks. The Packers probably love him.

5.173: C Drew Dalman, Stanford: A little undersized, but tough, smart and athletic. The Packers struck gold with Corey Linsley in the fifth round in 2014. They could try it again seven years later with a similar type of player.

5.178: LB Derrick Barnes, Purdue: Eventually, the Packers will hit big on one of these mid-round linebackers. Barnes started for three seasons and is plenty athletic enough at 238 pounds.

6.214: RB Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana: Good size, great athleticism, experienced doing just about everything. Sounds like a terrific Jamaal Williams replacement.

6.220: DL Ta’Quon Graham, Texas: Ultra-long defensive line prospect with elite testing numbers. Worth the gamble here. Possible future replacement for Dean Lowry.

7.256: WR Jalen Camp, Georgia Tech: Elite athlete who might contribute on special teams. Standard seventh-round dart throw.

Thoughts: Love the additions along the offensive line, which remain a huge strength, and teaming Holland with Savage could unlock everything the Packers want to do in the secondary. Don’t love not getting a true cornerback or immediate help along the defensive line. Betting on great athletes is usually a good way to find at least one diamond in the rough.

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Chiefs trade up to secure a left tackle in Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft

An interesting trade scenario between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Kansas City Chiefs still have a very clear need for offensive tackle help and it looks like they’ll be addressing it in the 2021 NFL draft.

In the latest first-round mock draft from Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, the Chiefs get a bit aggressive in order to address their biggest need. Farrar has Brett Veach trading up six spots with the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to draft their left tackle of the future. The conditions of the trade might need a little bit of work though.

In return for the 25th overall pick, Jacksonville gets pick No. 31 and No. 63 from Kansas City in Farrar’s deal. Working off of our trade value chart, that wouldn’t be a very even trade. Pick No. 25 is 42 points shy of the value of No. 31 and No. 63 combined. So there are two solutions to this discrepancy in my eyes. I’d ask for the Jaguars’ fourth-round pick (106 overall) in order to sweeten the pot on the current trade. The other option would be for the Chiefs package No. 31 and No. 94, taking out pick No. 63. That’d make the trade value much closer to even for each team.

At pick No. 25, the Chiefs select Texas Longhorns OT Samuel Cosmi. Here’s what Farrar had to say about the pick:

“The Chiefs were laid bare in Super Bowl LV with the injuries to left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and even more so with the releases of both players to create cap space for other additions in free agency. The addition of former Patriots guard Joe Thuney helps the interior offensive line, but when your projected starting tackles are Mike Remmers and Lucas Niang, there’s work to be done. Cosmi, who allowed just three sacks and 23 total pressures on 1,529 pass-blocking reps over three seasons for the Longhorns, is going to need some coaching to match his acumen with his athleticism, but he’s got all the tools to be a special pass-protector, and there are few teams known for better O-line coaching than the Chiefs.”

Jacksonville is a logical trade partner and this pick by the Chiefs makes a ton of sense. Cosmi is an impressive athlete and has the reputation of being a solid pass-protector, but he’ll need to improve his strength at the next level. I think pairing him with a player like Joe Thuney at left guard would help mask some of the issues that he’ll undoubtedly have as a rookie.

I’d be a bit surprised if this was the way things played out in a trade-up scenario. At pick No. 31, the Jaguars select Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins. That’s a player that the Chiefs are known to have at least some level of interest in. Maybe that interest is only to entice a team like the Jags in making a trade down.

I wonder with this trade, who are the Chiefs jumping in order to secure Cosmi? None of the Bills, Packers, Saints, Ravens and Browns seem to be in the market for a tackle. Would the Jags have taken Cosmi at No. 25? Wouldn’t Kansas City rather stick at No. 31 and just take Jenkins? He played mostly right tackle at Oklahoma State but started four games at left tackle as a redshirt sophomore in 2018. For me, it feels like they might be better suited staying put at No. 31 if the board were to fall this way.

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Realistic trade-up opportunities for Packers in first round of 2021 NFL draft

Envisioning realistic trade-up scenarios for the Packers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers traded up in the first rounds of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 NFL drafts, making general manager Brian Gutekunst – who holds 10 total picks this year – a good bet to trade up for the fourth straight season to begin his term as the Packers’ roster builder.

Green Bay is currently in possession of the 29th overall pick in the first round.

Gutekunst moved up nine spots in 2018, nine spots in 2019 and four spots in 2020. How could the Packers move up in this year’s draft?

The following exercise won’t be designed to identify which players the Packers could trade up for in the draft. Instead, it will look at the teams and draft picks that make the most sense for trade-up opportunities later this month.