Trade Watson?

[GreenBaySlacker]

I'm trying to figure out how we can afford to keep him... It's going to be expensive, with Kraft becoming a priority IMO.

So let's look at a trade scenario. I'd bet GB would get a high 1st rounder from a team building around a younger QB. Or a 1st and 3rd from a contender.

GB has Golden and Savion williams both looking like keepers.... I know some aren't as high on Williams as I am. But what I seen was Lafleur inventing a lot of tricky run plays for him out of the backfield... He has looked fast and strong, considering his size... Also telling me he has apparently shown the ability to run in practice ... Translating to potential runs after the catch, in the future.... Put that big body to work in the secondary, punishing CBs. Seems like a faster James jones type of potential. Honestly I think these two should be the starters.

Golden is lightning, and honestly bigger and stronger than I expected too, considering his speed and agility.... He is going to be a star ... And I think that spotlight has sort of distracted from williams potential...

Curious what else we will lose by keeping watson? Reed and wicks will probably end up the same path as Doubs. Comp picks don't really make me feel much better about losing them all.

If we do have our minds set of keeping and paying watson. Then maybe we should consider trading reed or wicks now instead? Reed would probably bring some solid day 2 value. Of not a late 1st rounder. He is statistically our best receiver.... What do you all think Reed would net GB in a trade?

 

[mradtke66]

I can't see it being the solid play. Part of drafting and developing is identifying your rising starts and keeping them. Watson is that guy. He's young and just being on the field makes the offense better. Even when he is not the target of the pass, we average more yards. We average more yards per carry when he's on the field vs. not. I cannot stress just how much better the offense is with him than without.

Does signing him mean losing Reed? Maybe, but more so that what he is good at, so is Golden. Wicks is a JAG. I like him, but a JAG is a JAG.

Golden and Williams are both second year players. We don't really know what we have yet. Williams in particular has a limited route tree. He could grow into the role, but he is not there yet.

I'd roll with who we have for 2026 with the plan that Watson and Golden are your starters in 2027 with Williams (hopefully) growing into the 3rd.

 

[DABIGZ]

I can't see it being the solid play. Part of drafting and developing is identifying your rising starts and keeping them. Watson is that guy. He's young and just being on the field makes the offense better. Even when he is not the target of the pass, we average more yards. We average more yards per carry when he's on the field vs. not. I cannot stress just how much better the offense is with him than without.

Does signing him mean losing Reed? Maybe, but more so that what he is good at, so is Golden. Wicks is a JAG. I like him, but a JAG is a JAG.

Golden and Williams are both second year players. We don't really know what we have yet. Williams in particular has a limited route tree. He could grow into the role, but he is not there yet.

I'd roll with who we have for 2026 with the plan that Watson and Golden are your starters in 2027 with Williams (hopefully) growing into the 3rd.

I'd be on board with trading Reed, especially if we can get a high 2nd, or even better a 1st of some kind.. you can't pay everyone.

 

[Capitol 8805]

In my opinion Watson, Kraft, and to an extent Wyatt are in line for extensions. Watson is a WR defensive coordinators have to game plan for. During his time in GB he has improved his route running, and is arguably the teams best blocking WR. Watson also just has that connection with Jordan Love. By Gutekunst letting Doubs walk tells me Watson is the priority WR he wants to build his team around. Watson coming of ACL injury had a great year and do I say looked faster. Gutekunst knows he will have to pay Watson. How good does the move Gutekunst made by extending Watson coming off an ACL injury look now. I'm excited to see the development of Golden, and Williams in year 2. I would extend Watson sooner rather than later. The future is bright for this WR core.

 

[OldSchool101]

In my opinion Watson, Kraft, and to an extent Wyatt are in line for extensions. Watson is a WR defensive coordinators have to game plan for. During his time in GB he has improved his route running, and is arguably the teams best blocking WR. Watson also just has that connection with Jordan Love. By Gutekunst letting Doubs walk tells me Watson is the priority WR he wants to build his team around. Watson coming of ACL injury had a great year and do I say looked faster. Gutekunst knows he will have to pay Watson. How good does the move Gutekunst made by extending Watson coming off an ACL injury look now. I'm excited to see the development of Golden, and Williams in year 2. I would extend Watson sooner rather than later. The future is bright for this WR core.

I agree. I think they will offer Watson a long term extension. 4yrs something like that. My only hope is we don’t get crazy with guaranteed.

 

[milani]

I can't see it being the solid play. Part of drafting and developing is identifying your rising starts and keeping them. Watson is that guy. He's young and just being on the field makes the offense better. Even when he is not the target of the pass, we average more yards. We average more yards per carry when he's on the field vs. not. I cannot stress just how much better the offense is with him than without.

Does signing him mean losing Reed? Maybe, but more so that what he is good at, so is Golden. Wicks is a JAG. I like him, but a JAG is a JAG.

Golden and Williams are both second year players. We don't really know what we have yet. Williams in particular has a limited route tree. He could grow into the role, but he is not there yet.

I'd roll with who we have for 2026 with the plan that Watson and Golden are your starters in 2027 with Williams (hopefully) growing into the 3rd.

Right. Roll with what we have and take the same approach in 2027 with the roster. Do not over pay. Parsons is our highest price commodity. We can build around that without getting into cap trouble.

 

[mradtke66]

Right. Roll with what we have and take the same approach in 2027 with the roster. Do not over pay. Parsons is our highest price commodity. We can build around that without getting into cap trouble.

The nuance I would add is that Watson is going to make bank. Exactly how much is to be determined, but this is draft and develop. You drafted him, he developed into a star, so now you pay him.

A little annoying that he and Kraft are due the same time, but TEs are thankfully underpaid.

 

[OldSchool101]

Reed would probably bring some solid day 2 value. Of not a late 1st rounder. He is statistically our best receiver.... What do you all think Reed would net GB in a trade?

IMO their value might not be as high as you think. No way does Watson get us prime Davante collateral. He got us #22 + #59 something like that. My best guess is Watson would bring a Top 50-75 area or back of RD2. Reed might he more of a pick swap type offer.. such as a Mid RD3 for our RD5 OR A later RD3 selection straight up (#90)
It would be slightly higher if they had
1 or 2 years left on cheap rookie $$.

 

[CarryTheG14]

Absolutely not. We all see what the offense is without him.

 

[Heyjoe4]

In my opinion Watson, Kraft, and to an extent Wyatt are in line for extensions. Watson is a WR defensive coordinators have to game plan for. During his time in GB he has improved his route running, and is arguably the teams best blocking WR. Watson also just has that connection with Jordan Love. By Gutekunst letting Doubs walk tells me Watson is the priority WR he wants to build his team around. Watson coming of ACL injury had a great year and do I say looked faster. Gutekunst knows he will have to pay Watson. How good does the move Gutekunst made by extending Watson coming off an ACL injury look now. I'm excited to see the development of Golden, and Williams in year 2. I would extend Watson sooner rather than later. The future is bright for this WR core.

Agree with all. I was amazed at how quickly Watson returned to form after the ACL recovery. He had no rust that I could see.

And the big intangible is indeed the connection with Love. We've seen that before with the connections Rodgers had with Nelson and then Adams.

I don't think the Packers ahould be in a rush to extend Watson though. If Watson puts up top 10 numbers in the first half of the season, I'd be fine with giving him an extension. How much? That's very hard to say. He would have to put up top 5 numbers to get a really big payday, that is, north of $30/35 mil AAV.

The Packers will have to pay Kraft as well, and soon. Hard to tie up $60 mil in cap in two guys. I look forward to both guys playing well. The Packers will find a way to sign them if that's what they want to do.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I can't see it being the solid play. Part of drafting and developing is identifying your rising starts and keeping them. Watson is that guy. He's young and just being on the field makes the offense better. Even when he is not the target of the pass, we average more yards. We average more yards per carry when he's on the field vs. not. I cannot stress just how much better the offense is with him than without.

Does signing him mean losing Reed? Maybe, but more so that what he is good at, so is Golden. Wicks is a JAG. I like him, but a JAG is a JAG.

Golden and Williams are both second year players. We don't really know what we have yet. Williams in particular has a limited route tree. He could grow into the role, but he is not there yet.

I'd roll with who we have for 2026 with the plan that Watson and Golden are your starters in 2027 with Williams (hopefully) growing into the 3rd.

Your prediction for Watson, Golden, Williams to be 1-3 in 2027 is a best-case scenario. Watson will get paid while Golden and Williams stay on their rookie deals.

I'm not convinced Williams can elevate his play to WR3 level. Nothing looked bad about his play either. That leaves Reed as tradable, or releasable into FA. Not crazy about that. Golden needs to have a big year, and I think he will, before the Packers are willing to let Reed go.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm trying to figure out how we can afford to keep him... It's going to be expensive, with Kraft becoming a priority IMO.

So let's look at a trade scenario. I'd bet GB would get a high 1st rounder from a team building around a younger QB. Or a 1st and 3rd from a contender.

GB has Golden and Savion williams both looking like keepers.... I know some aren't as high on Williams as I am. But what I seen was Lafleur inventing a lot of tricky run plays for him out of the backfield... He has looked fast and strong, considering his size... Also telling me he has apparently shown the ability to run in practice ... Translating to potential runs after the catch, in the future.... Put that big body to work in the secondary, punishing CBs. Seems like a faster James jones type of potential. Honestly I think these two should be the starters.

Golden is lightning, and honestly bigger and stronger than I expected too, considering his speed and agility.... He is going to be a star ... And I think that spotlight has sort of distracted from williams potential...

Curious what else we will lose by keeping watson? Reed and wicks will probably end up the same path as Doubs. Comp picks don't really make me feel much better about losing them all.

If we do have our minds set of keeping and paying watson. Then maybe we should consider trading reed or wicks now instead? Reed would probably bring some solid day 2 value. Of not a late 1st rounder. He is statistically our best receiver.... What do you all think Reed would net GB in a trade?

Right now, Watson would not fetch a high first round pick from any team. He's been very good since returning from the ACL injury, and every indication is that he's a WR1 talent. Even if they could get that kind of draft capital, I'd be reluctant to part with him.

 

[Schultz]

I'm trying to figure out how we can afford to keep him... It's going to be expensive, with Kraft becoming a priority IMO.

So let's look at a trade scenario. I'd bet GB would get a high 1st rounder from a team building around a younger QB. Or a 1st and 3rd from a contender.

GB has Golden and Savion williams both looking like keepers.... I know some aren't as high on Williams as I am. But what I seen was Lafleur inventing a lot of tricky run plays for him out of the backfield... He has looked fast and strong, considering his size... Also telling me he has apparently shown the ability to run in practice ... Translating to potential runs after the catch, in the future.... Put that big body to work in the secondary, punishing CBs. Seems like a faster James jones type of potential. Honestly I think these two should be the starters.

Golden is lightning, and honestly bigger and stronger than I expected too, considering his speed and agility.... He is going to be a star ... And I think that spotlight has sort of distracted from williams potential...

Curious what else we will lose by keeping watson? Reed and wicks will probably end up the same path as Doubs. Comp picks don't really make me feel much better about losing them all.

If we do have our minds set of keeping and paying watson. Then maybe we should consider trading reed or wicks now instead? Reed would probably bring some solid day 2 value. Of not a late 1st rounder. He is statistically our best receiver.... What do you all think Reed would net GB in a trade?

I agree with those saying your trade expectations for either guy are too high. I hope you are correct about Golden. Williams was a guy who was used to run the ball in college. To me he is a poor mans Deebo Samuel who hopefully could carve out a Cordelle Patterson type career. Due to his route tree and hands if he is ever GBs WR3 then they will have neglected the position in the next 2 drafts IMO.

 

[McKnowledge]

Watson is a difference maker and luckily his injury history will keep his price down relative to other WRs.

Accepting more money elsewhere wouldn't guarantee the same amount of grace and patience the Packers have given him.

I think if Watson (hopefully) stays healthy and produces elite production for the first half of the season, then you sign him to an extension and avoid any potential problems for next offseason.

Honestly, I'm surprised Green Bay hasn't put Reed on the trade block.

I don't think he'll be a Packer in 2027, so why not get ahead of the inevitable?

 

[tynimiller]

I agree. I think they will offer Watson a long term extension. 4yrs something like that. My only hope is we don’t get crazy with guaranteed.

GB only goes high guarantees really on QBs or ELITE otherwise. They essentially do around 25-35% for guys. Only Love and Parsons are higher % to the whole when signing guys for more than 2 years.

 

[tynimiller]

Watson is a difference maker and luckily his injury history will keep his price down relative to other WRs.

Accepting more money elsewhere wouldn't guarantee the same amount of grace and patience the Packers have given him.

I think if Watson (hopefully) stays healthy and produces elite production for the first half of the season, then you sign him to an extension and avoid any potential problems for next offseason.

Honestly, I'm surprised Green Bay hasn't put Reed on the trade block.

I don't think he'll be a Packer in 2027, so why not get ahead of the inevitable?

I think given one of the strengths of this draft in the 40-125 prospects being the WR position to many - I wouldn't be shocked if we already might know who is interested in Wicks or Reed in truth. If a prospect is there Gute believes has NO BUSINESS being there and he picks them he might then move Wicks or Reed.

 

[AmishMafia]

I think given one of the strengths of this draft in the 40-125 prospects being the WR position to many - I wouldn't be shocked if we already might know who is interested in Wicks or Reed in truth. If a prospect is there Gute believes has NO BUSINESS being there and he picks them he might then move Wicks or Reed.

By the same token, if there are a lot of quality WRs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, would a GM give up a day 2 pick for someone who will cost you a lot more money? Not sure what someone would give for Reed.

I think we keep Wicks and either Reed or Watson. Golden can become our deep threat but it is nice to have 2. Watson's injury history is my only hesitation for handing over lots of $$$.

 

[tynimiller]

By the same token, if there are a lot of quality WRs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, would a GM give up a day 2 pick for someone who will cost you a lot more money? Not sure what someone would give for Reed.

I think we keep Wicks and either Reed or Watson. Golden can become our deep threat but it is nice to have 2. Watson's injury history is my only hesitation for handing over lots of $$$.

Reed or Wicks ain't costing anything hardly at all to the team this year if they trade for him. There are teams that essentially have no WR room of decent nature and are rebuilding. A team like the Dolphins likely would be attracted to a Wicks trade for a Day3 along with also drafting a guy as an example.

 

[McKnowledge]

I think given one of the strengths of this draft in the 40-125 prospects being the WR position to many - I wouldn't be shocked if we already might know who is interested in Wicks or Reed in truth. If a prospect is there Gute believes has NO BUSINESS being there and he picks them he might then move Wicks or Reed.

I really would like to see the Pack move Reed to another team straight up for a RB.

Reed run a lot concepts that could be replicated by a RB with receiving skills.

A speedy big play RB undervalued by their current team is just what Green Bay's offense needs.

Immediately the Tenessee Titans comes to mind.

Jayden Reed straight up for Tony Pollard.

Green Bay needs to shore up the RB room and Pollard offers that, coupled with his probable desire to elevate his value for his next contract.

Green Bay can absorb the cap hit and neither will affect the 2027 season.

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[tynimiller]

I really would like to see the Pack move Reed to another team straight up for a RB.

Reed run a lot concepts that could be replicated by a RB with receiving skills.

A speedy big play RB undervalued by their current team is just what Green Bay's offense needs.

Immediately the Tenessee Titans comes to mind.

Jayden Reed straight up for Tony Pollard.

Green Bay needs to shore up the RB room and Pollard offers that, coupled with his probable desire to elevate his value for his next contract.

Green Bay can absorb the cap hit and neither will affect the 2027 season.

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I'd move him for Josh Sweat if he truly is mad and wants out of there.

 

[gopkrs]

I think given one of the strengths of this draft in the 40-125 prospects being the WR position to many - I wouldn't be shocked if we already might know who is interested in Wicks or Reed in truth. If a prospect is there Gute believes has NO BUSINESS being there and he picks them he might then move Wicks or Reed.

Imho Wicks has so much potential. A lot more than he has shown. If the coaches think he's going to head that way; it would be a good time to sign him up. Hard to know. But I don't think it's quite so easy to say there are a bunch of good receivers in the draft and we can just pick one in the 3rd or 4th round.

 

[tynimiller]

Imho Wicks has so much potential. A lot more than he has shown. If the coaches think he's going to head that way; it would be a good time to sign him up. Hard to know. But I don't think it's quite so easy to say there are a bunch of good receivers in the draft and we can just pick one in the 3rd or 4th round.

I think Wicks camp likely wouldn't want to sign anything long term. Now if he'd consider a one year extension talk I'd do it.

 

[mradtke66]

I'm not convinced Williams can elevate his play to WR3 level.

I'm not certain he can either. It is a little bit of a hope making that projection. The number of manufactured touches he got suggests to me MLF likes him and he something of a size mismatch. It certainly depends on him making stride this year.

That leaves Reed as tradable, or releasable into FA. Not crazy about that. Golden needs to have a big year, and I think he will, before the Packers are willing to let Reed go.

I would also prefer to keep Reed, but his contract expires after 2026. Presumably, we're extending Watson and Kraft. Things can be done to fit players in under the cap, but thus far Reed hasn't been the kind of star that you risk it on. He's also been hurt. He can be shutdown with tight man coverage. You can scheme him open, but you can scheme other guys open too.

I am not lining up to get rid of him, merely pointing out it is very likely he's gone after this season anyway.

 

[El Guapo]

I would also prefer to keep Reed, but his contract expires after 2026. Presumably, we're extending Watson and Kraft. Things can be done to fit players in under the cap, but thus far Reed hasn't been the kind of star that you risk it on. He's also been hurt. He can be shutdown with tight man coverage. You can scheme him open, but you can scheme other guys open too.

I am not lining up to get rid of him, merely pointing out it is very likely he's gone after this season anyway.

The Watson and Reed contracts both expire after 2026. Both have injury histories, with only Reed completing a full season (2024). Otherwise both have been injured every season.

It will likely come down to Kraft getting a second contract and then whomever of Watson/Reed has the better and more injury-free season in 2026.

 

[McKnowledge]

Reed or Wicks ain't costing anything hardly at all to the team this year if they trade for him. There are teams that essentially have no WR room of decent nature and are rebuilding. A team like the Dolphins likely would be attracted to a Wicks trade for a Day3 along with also drafting a guy as an example.

With the Dolphins in mind with Hafley in charge. I’m partial to sending Reed down there for compensation. Wicks is a better blocker and route runner, I would prefer to keep him. I just think Reed and Kraft will get in each other’s way. Reed’s injuries last season directly led to Kraft’s emergence.