Trade Targets

[Dantés]

The Packers pushed their chips in with the Micah Parsons move. That doesn't guarantee that they will continue to add at the deadline (I actually think the most likely outcome is that they don't), but I would not be shocked to see them continue adding. They're in a "win now" window.

Here are the positions where I think they could look to add, ranked by priority:

Defensive Tackle: The Packers have not gotten very many snaps out of their current group. Brooks leads the way at 64%, then Wooden at 52%, and Wyatt at 37% (obviously injury factoring there). Stackhouse (who they clearly don't want to be playing) and Brinson (a rookie 6th round pick) have combined for 29% of snaps. When you put all of that together, what you find is that, on average, they're using 1.8 DT's per snap (even including goal line and short yardage). They're making up for it by playing DE's a lot inside-- LVN, Parsons, and Sorrell. Getting Wyatt back will help a lot, but they're still thin.

Punt Returner: I'm not sure if they would be willing to carry a specialist, but they really need one.

Tight End: The Packers love to use 12 personnel. Kraft is on the field for 91% of snaps, while Musgrave and Fitzpatrick are combining for 55%. They also continue to carry Ben Sims. So they clearly want to use the TE position heavily, but behind Kraft, the other players have combined for 9 catches on 10 targets for 65 yards and 1 TD. One wonders if defenses will stop respecting Musgrave and Fitzpatrick as pass catching options at some point, eating into the effectiveness of the personnel grouping. Of course, Watson and Reed returning might mean they move away from 12 personnel altogether.

Cornerback: I doubt that they will make any kind of real move here. Nixon is starting and they aren't going to fully bench Hobbs right after paying him (especially since he's still on his way back from an injury). However, I could see wanting more depth.

Running Back: Josh Jacobs plays a ton of snaps for the position (71% so far). Now they are more than likely just banking on the return of Lloyd to help here, but I see a sliver of a chance that they're done counting on him to stay healthy and decide to protect themselves from a potential Jacobs' injury.

Here are the teams that I see as sellers at the deadline, ranked by likelihood: Jets, Saints, Titans, Raiders, Dolphins, Cardinals, Browns

So then here are the players at the above positions on said teams who I think would be moveable (they're FA's in 2026 or 2027):

DT:

-Maliek Collins, Browns
-Sebastian Joseph-Day, Titans
-Calais Campbell, Cardinals
-Dalvin Tomlinson, Cardinals
-Harrison Phillips, Jets
-Benito Jones, Dolphins

PR:

-Greg Dortch, Cardinals
-Rashid Shaheed, Saints
-Tre Tucker, Raiders

TE:

-David Njoku, Browns
-Chig Okonkwo, Titans
-Foster Moreau, Saints

CB:

-Alontae Taylor, Saints
-Roger McCreary, Titans

RB:

-Breece Hall, Jets

 

[OldSchool101]

I’ve seen McCreary pop up elsewhere as a likely trade candidate (with any needy NFL team).

I still think it’s nuts that we let a proven PR walk after being here the entire Camp/PS). Here we are suffering from that choice and highly likely losing 4-5 yards per PR (smh)

I’d be all over Calais Campbell if they’d ship him here for a 7th. He’s cheap $ (plus prorated) and he’s having a heck of a year.

 

[El Guapo]

I still think it’s nuts that we let a proven PR walk after being here the entire Camp/PS). Here we are suffering from that choice and highly likely losing 4-5 yards per PR (smh)

Sure Mecole Hardman was a proven returner, but those days are gone. To quote Elton John: "His candle burned out long before, his legend ever did."

Hardman's stats from the preseason:
- 4 punt returns for 20 yards
- 1 muffed punt

- 3 catches for 30 yards
- 1 dropped a pass

- 1 carry for 14 yards

Unfortunately he didn't have much to prove in 2025.

 

[El Guapo]

The Packers pushed their chips in with the Micah Parsons move. That doesn't guarantee that they will continue to add at the deadline (I actually think the most likely outcome is that they don't), but I would not be shocked to see them continue adding. They're in a "win now" window.

Here are the positions where I think they could look to add, ranked by priority:

Defensive Tackle: The Packers have not gotten very many snaps out of their current group. Brooks leads the way at 64%, then Wooden at 52%, and Wyatt at 37% (obviously injury factoring there). Stackhouse (who they clearly don't want to be playing) and Brinson (a rookie 6th round pick) have combined for 29% of snaps. When you put all of that together, what you find is that, on average, they're using 1.8 DT's per snap (even including goal line and short yardage). They're making up for it by playing DE's a lot inside-- LVN, Parsons, and Sorrell. Getting Wyatt back will help a lot, but they're still thin.

Punt Returner: I'm not sure if they would be willing to carry a specialist, but they really need one.

Tight End: The Packers love to use 12 personnel. Kraft is on the field for 91% of snaps, while Musgrave and Fitzpatrick are combining for 55%. They also continue to carry Ben Sims. So they clearly want to use the TE position heavily, but behind Kraft, the other players have combined for 9 catches on 10 targets for 65 yards and 1 TD. One wonders if defenses will stop respecting Musgrave and Fitzpatrick as pass catching options at some point, eating into the effectiveness of the personnel grouping. Of course, Watson and Reed returning might mean they move away from 12 personnel altogether.

Cornerback: I doubt that they will make any kind of real move here. Nixon is starting and they aren't going to fully bench Hobbs right after paying him (especially since he's still on his way back from an injury). However, I could see wanting more depth.

Running Back: Josh Jacobs plays a ton of snaps for the position (71% so far). Now they are more than likely just banking on the return of Lloyd to help here, but I

Great analysis. I think that your rankings of need is good. Cornerback might be a notch higher but who knows. Valentine balled out last night.

Do we have any salary cap remaining for 2025?

 

[OldSchool101]

Sure Mecole Hardman was a proven returner, but those days are gone. To quote Elton John: "His candle burned out long before, his legend ever did."

Hardman's stats from the preseason:
- 4 punt returns for 20 yards
- 1 muffed punt

- 3 catches for 30 yards
- 1 dropped a pass

- 1 carry for 14 yards

Unfortunately he didn't have much to prove in 2025.

Umm. Apparently No one in GB has anything to prove at PR either.
The WR6 spot was decided when we drafted a pair of Top 100 selections this draft. You have to Win at more than 1 aspect in this league to retain a Roster spot. WR was probably out thickest array of competition this Offseason, Camp, PS. With all due respect, It had to do with short and long term investment at the position more than singular ability of Mecole Hardman.
Furthermore. It’s not been ideal at all. Since Reed went out we’re averaging 4.67 yards per return! That’s absolutely dismal and hardly solid ground to ridicule a guy who averaged better than Randall Cobb across a large sample size. It was ultimately wise decision to keep Heath. However imo We’re standing on a small hill pointing fingers at Hardman and calling him “not good enough” 4 or 5 yard per Punt return should be our focus fixing. This has not been a Winning strategy and we’re losing 5 yards per Punt.

 

[Half Empty]

Great analysis. I think that your rankings of need is good. Cornerback might be a notch higher but who knows. Valentine balled out last night.

Do we have any salary cap remaining for 2025?

Apparently, just over $12 million

 

[El Guapo]

Umm. Apparently No one in GB has anything to prove at PR either.
The WR6 spot was decided when we drafted a pair of Top 100 selections this draft.

It is my understanding that the #6 spot came down to Hardman or Malik Heath. They chose the younger Heath over a fading veteran. I'm okay with that decision.

I agree with you that Gutekunst failed to line up a solid returner for this season, hoping that someone young would just "figure it out" or maybe convinced by Rich Bascia that they had enough horses.

 

[milani]

It is my understanding that the #6 spot came down to Hardman or Malik Heath. They chose the younger Heath over a fading veteran. I'm okay with that decision.

I agree with you that Gutekunst failed to line up a solid returner for this season, hoping that someone young would just "figure it out" or maybe convinced by Rich Bascia that they had enough horses.

Even if we had a returner we still have to be able to block without getting flags EVERY game. Even Desmond Howard would have his great returns called back.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Nice ranking although I would put CB at 1B with DT at 1A...TE is just fine with Kraft (best receiving TE in the league) while the cornerback room is, uhm, underwhelming to put it politely. Tariq Woolen would be another trade candidate; he was pretty good his first two seasons in the league but has underwhelmed this year and Seattle has plenty of CB depth.

 

[McKnowledge]

We need CB & DT help. Put Savion Williams at PR & KR set and forget.

 

[OldSchool101]

We need CB & DT help. Put Savion Williams at PR & KR set and forget.

I’d really be keying on CB.

While it would be nice to have additional options at DL, keep in mind we have
Wyatt, Brooks, Wooden, Brinson and a Big Bodied Stackhouse. We also use Lukas as a hybrid interior Defender. So that’s essentially 5-6 options who can play inside. This group is 1 of 3 teams allowing 80 yards per contest rushing and is #1 yards per play. Outside we are strong also. The Packers have allowed the fewest yards per pass attempt in the NFL and are tied with Tampa at #4 in QB pressures. GB also has a strong group of LB’s and DB’s against the run that pick up any slack. This isn’t to say we can’t find improvement, in ESPN we crank #12,#13 in Pass and Run efficiency. Averaging these is in line with our #10 scoring Defense. Where we got hurt imo was at Dallas. They carved our DB’s up. Although 9 points were direct result of O + Teams mishaps and 3 points a result of OT.

Where we can really improve is our giving up an occasional chunk play, which is more on the DB side of things. We allow too many 2nd n long or 3rd n long conversions. Although we are seeing an uptick in that dept. allowing just 1 of 10 on 3rd downs to a Steelers team who had been carving up some opponents.

 

[OldSchool101]

some unsubstantiated rumors of the Packers sniffing around for a DB. I don’t fully expect it to happen. Partly because the demand outweighs the supply. Plus many of the bottom dwellers don’t have probable or ideal CB’s to be dealing.

The Eagles traded for Jaire. They sent a 6th Rounder for JA + a 7th. That’s really still peanuts if JA can ever get back on the field for any period of time. So far he’s been a complete dudster, which is likely why he got dumped.

This trade deadline is fast approaching this Tues. A few teams might wait until this weekend and afterwards be open to dealing a player. If we see a trade it’ll likely be Sunday evening through Monday type thing.

 

[McKnowledge]

some unsubstantiated rumors of the Packers sniffing around for a DB. I don’t fully expect it to happen. Partly because the demand outweighs the supply. Plus many of the bottom dwellers don’t have probable or ideal CB’s to be dealing with.

There are numerous credible sources both in print and media that can confirm the Packers are looking to add a CB.

If the prerequisite is a bottom dwelling team, then I think the Miami Dolphins and Rasul Douglas is an excellent target.

He checks all the boxes.

A reunion with Green Bay playing under Hafley’s scheme is an inexpensive addition that requires reasonable compensation in the form of a Day 3 pick.

Another option is a player swap for Kingsley Enagbare.

His current contract is a 1 yr 3M contract, which matches Enagbare’s expiring rookie deal.

Douglas produces everywhere he goes.

Bring him back.

 

[OldSchool101]

There are numerous credible sources both in print and media that can confirm the Packers are looking to add a CB.

If the prerequisite is a bottom dwelling team, then I think the Miami Dolphins and Rasul Douglas is an excellent target.

He checks all the boxes.

A reunion with Green Bay playing under Hafley’s scheme is an inexpensive addition that requires reasonable compensation in the form of a Day 3 pick.

Another option is a player swap for Kingsley Enagbare.

His current contract is a 1 yr 3M contract, which matches Enagbare’s expiring rookie deal.

Douglas produces everywhere he goes.

Bring him back.

I don’t mind it at all. If I recall without looking, Rasul had 1 down year post GB and then bounces back. It proved he’s still likely got a year or two left in the tank.
Rasul checks off all the boxes, he’s familiar with our staff and our city, so he knows exactly what he’s getting into. He was traded totally unexpectedly out of GB, which has to be difficult. However this is part of the sport. They get paid handsomely, but often deal with the emotional side of being traded or cut or benched or resigned or elevated or promoted etc….

One thing I always liked about Douglas is he plays the player but then switches on a dime and plays the ball. There’s an experience thing there that Nixon or Valentine haven’t quite achieved. If we could do a Day3 pick swap (such as our 5th for Rasul and a 6th or 7th) I’d make the move.