The Green Bay Packers are 6-2 and have the look of a contender as the Nov. 5 trade deadline nears. Could general manager Brian Gutekunst target a veteran to help his team get over the hump in the second half of the season?
The Packers don’t have a glaring need at any one position, especially after fixing the kicker position with Brandon McManus. And Gutekunst’s savvy trade for Malik Willis in late August solidified the quarterback position behind Jordan Love.
Does Gutekunst has one more big move in him in 2024?
All 32 editors in the NFL Wire Network recently identified potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline. Below, we highlighted a few positions the Packers could target and some possible trade options from the network’s list:
Edge rusher
The Packers aren’t generating nearly enough pass-rushing production through eight games. Rashan Gary hasn’t been a consistent disruptor, Preston Smith has only 10 pressures on 166 pass-rushing snaps and Lukas Van Ness is laboring through a disappointing start to his second season (five pressures on 129 pass-rushing snaps). While Jeff Hafley’s defense is getting great production from the blitz, the four-man pass-rush — the foundation for all great defenses — isn’t good enough at this point. Could the Packers try to jump-start the pass-rush with an addition at the deadline? Multiple reports have suggested teams have interest in Smith, but would the Packers consider selling off a veteran leader to clear the way for a different veteran? Without trading Smith, it would be tough to get an edge rusher addition on the field in a meaningful way.
Potential options: Chase Young, New Orleans Saints; Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Jadeveon Clowney, Carolina Panthers; Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
Cornerback
The Packers like their depth at cornerback, and they’ve consistently rotated on the outside with Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine and even Keisean Nixon, allowing rookie Javon Bullard to play more and more in the slot. Still, Stokes has been inconsistent, Valentine has struggled to get on the field and Nixon is best suited for playing inside. What if a perimeter corner were to be available for the right price? Jaire Alexander is currently battling a knee injury, and the Packers are about to face the high-powered Lions. Would a poor performance from the other corners on Sunday push Gutekunst to make a move?
Potential options: Kaiir Elam, Buffalo Bills; Emanuel Forbes, Washington Commanders; Greg Newsome, Cleveland Browns