Trade Watson?

[AKCheese]

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 $$.

I’m glad somebody has some grasp on reality. I dont think you can find anybody that would give you a 2026 2nd round pick for Watson. Reed your looking at a 4th?

 

[Heyjoe4]

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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Hey McK, how old is Pollard now? I remember he had some good years with Dallas, but his name has been around a while. I wouldn't trade Reed for Pollard, unless Pollard is actually a lot better than I think. Wicks for Pollard, that makes sense.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I’m glad somebody has some grasp on reality. I dont think you can find anybody that would give you a 2026 2nd round pick for Watson. Reed your looking at a 4th?

Watson has flashed a lot of potential, key word is "flashed". He came back blazing last year after ACL rehab, and his soft tissue problem seems solved. Even so, no team is going to trade a 2nd round pick for him right now. And the Packers would be nuts even if it was offered.

I'd much rather have Watson put together a great season and then give him a second contract. He's just too good in too many ways to think about trading him.

Same for Reed, although he's been more reliable, save last season. He could probably get a 3rd round pick. I wouldn't trade him. The WRs are lining up, 1st to 3rd, to be Watson, Golden, and Reed - and that means Golden has to deliver. I think he will. Anyway I wouldn't mess with that group. S. Williams has potential, but has to prove it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

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 $$.

Nice summary, and a dose of sanity, about the discussion around Watson's trade value. He played exceptionally well last year when he returned. I love him being non our team and he's worked as hard as anyone can work to 1) overcome chronic hamstring problems and 2) recover from ACL surgery at least one month ahead of schedule, with no drop off.

His presence on the field and on the sideline are just too important to the Packers. Ironic this is still a "prove it" year for him before a second contract, but he does have to show more durability. Everything else - route running, catching, size, speed, blocking - are all top notch.

 

[OldSchool101]

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.

I like that idea. It buys us time at WR.
As it stands we have an estimated 11 draft picks next year. Now that could change but even if we go in with 10 or 11 thats a nice sized class. On a slightly optimistic but very realistic
side we could look like this:
RD2
RD3, RD3 (Malik)
RD4, RD4, RD4, (Gary,Doubs)
RD5, RD5
RD6, RD6
RD7

Let’s just use Watson being locked down and Reed departing. Looking into the future we’d already have
Watson, Golden, Wicks, Savion.

The more I think about it, we will 60% chance draft a WR to keep 1 pipelined. Heck Gute might even surprise us and go WR in Day 2. Especially with Bo Melton being able to play that CB crossover with Teams ability. That would give us a more promising contingency plan if negotiations fall through with Wicks or Watson.

I’m glad somebody has some grasp on reality. I dont think you can find anybody that would give you a 2026 2nd round pick for Watson. Reed your looking at a 4th?

For me I think monetarily. I’m trading an Early draft pick and 4 years cheap $$ for Reed who’s likely going to demand $20Mil annual type $$. If he had a season at $1.6Mil I can extend him for 4yrs but divide by 5 yrs. So a 4yr X $75Mil turns into $15.5Mil average. Pretty reasonable $$

GB would be wise to use Reed all year and try to punch our SB ticket. We’ll likely get a future 4th and I’m good with that. I’m also of the belief that a GM should make every attempt to resign a good player or at least limit trading players unless it’s a last option or overwhelmingly in our favor. Going from a Top #135 to Top #100 isn’t enough to tickle my fancy.

 

[milani]

Watson has flashed a lot of potential, key word is "flashed". He came back blazing last year after ACL rehab, and his soft tissue problem seems solved. Even so, no team is going to trade a 2nd round pick for him right now. And the Packers would be nuts even if it was offered.

I'd much rather have Watson put together a great season and then give him a second contract. He's just too good in too many ways to think about trading him.

Same for Reed, although he's been more reliable, save last season. He could probably get a 3rd round pick. I wouldn't trade him. The WRs are lining up, 1st to 3rd, to be Watson, Golden, and Reed - and that means Golden has to deliver. I think he will. Anyway I wouldn't mess with that group. S. Williams has potential, but has to prove it.

I think we should stand pat and go with who we have: Reed, Golden, Watson, Williams. Same with RB. And build on it. Let us play 2026 before we play 2027.

 

[OldSchool101]

Wel I think we should stand pat and go with who we have: Reed, Golden, Watson, Williams. Same with RB. And build on it. Let us play 2026 before we play 2027.

Really if we just get slightly better OL and DL play over last season I think we’d be hard to beat.

Reddit did a fantasy ranking to assist in helping gauge overall team strength. In OL The Packers ranked poorly in several categories. #30th ranked Pressure rate allowed on OL. Overall we were #26 in Pass protection and #22 in the Run. We dropped -22 spots in pass protect and -7 spots in run support. Only Bucs and LA Chargers lost more total ground year over year. #30 in YTY growth. Teams are either getting better or getting worse, it’s very rare position group stays stagnant. Very rare. The GB OL was highly disappointing last season. Blame it on injuries ok. But not all of that #30 rank was pure injuries and we obviously didn’t have a very good backup plan!

I’m beginning to think if the right guy slips into our loving arms at OL at RD2,3,4 I’m just taking him. Especially if he’s a full draft round drop and imo good enough to start. Such as a RD3 graded Center in RD4 or a RD2 graded OT in RD3 etc.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think we should stand pat and go with who we have: Reed, Golden, Watson, Williams. Same with RB. And build on it. Let us play 2026 before we play 2027.

Good point. I do think a replacement for Wilson has to be found. Jacobs is starting to show the wear and tear. I still don't get letting Wilson go.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Really if we just get slightly better OL and DL play over last season I think we’d be hard to beat.

Reddit did a fantasy ranking to assist in helping gauge overall team strength. In OL The Packers ranked poorly in several categories. #30th ranked Pressure rate allowed on OL. Overall we were #26 in Pass protection and #22 in the Run. We dropped -22 spots in pass protect and -7 spots in run support. Only Bucs and LA Chargers lost more total ground year over year. #30 in YTY growth. Teams are either getting better or getting worse, it’s very rare position group stays stagnant. Very rare. The GB OL was highly disappointing last season. Blame it on injuries ok. But not all of that #30 rank was pure injuries and we obviously didn’t have a very good backup plan!

I’m beginning to think if the right guy slips into our loving arms at OL at RD2,3,4 I’m just taking him. Especially if he’s a full draft round drop and imo good enough to start. Such as a RD3 graded Center in RD4 or a RD2 graded OT in RD3 etc.

The overall talent on the team right now means Gluten doesn't have to take a specific position player at #52. My best guess is that he takes the best available CB. But if there is another position player with greater expected value, like OL, then yeah, grab him.

Unless Juste plays well above expectations, or Gluten finds a starting CB in the draft, (both unlikely) the CB group will continue to be the team's weakest link. Getting Parsons back helps, as would a jump in performance from LVN and/or anyone else at DL, Edge, and LB who can consistently get pressure on a QB.

I'd like to see Cooper take another step up. He certainly can get after a QB. I'm not so sure about LVN, but the opportunity before him is huge. I think he'll step up.

 

[milani]

Good point. I do think a replacement for Wilson has to be found. Jacobs is starting to show the wear and tear. I still don't get letting Wilson go.

The Packers were able to keep backs up until they could not get it done anymore in the past. They take a pounding. Gute takes a different approach. He looks to fix the worst piece of the puzzle first. And he does not seeing RB as the most important..YET. But if Lloyd cannot go this year he will be shopping.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Packers were able to keep backs up until they could not get it done anymore in the past. They take a pounding. Gute takes a different approach. He looks to fix the worst piece of the puzzle first. And he does not seeing RB as the most important..YET. But if Lloyd cannot go this year he will be shopping.

That's a good catch. Gluten fixes the worst problems first. Or put another way, he prioritizes needs and then acts accordingly.

With Wilson gone and Lloyd still an unknown, Gluten will get another RB somewhere. Good article by Tom Silverstein in the JS today noting the Packers are $23 mil under the cap right now, and that will grow to $31 mil after June 1.

One potential problem, a team can't make a trade if it can't honor a player's current contract. The contract can be changed once he's acquired, but there is a possible hurdle to get over in acquiring a player, especially a player with multiple suitors.

 

[OldSchool101]

The Packers were able to keep backs up until they could not get it done anymore in the past. They take a pounding. Gute takes a different approach. He looks to fix the worst piece of the puzzle first. And he does not seeing RB as the most important..YET. But if Lloyd cannot go this year he will be shopping.

Yes. As far as Marshawn, you hate to cut losses on a RD3 expenditure. Yet he’s nothing more than a bonus if he regains some health. As I’m sure you’d agree. we really can’t seriously plan on him to be anything past maybe a depth option at this point. IMO GB really has RB as their top 4 to 5 “needs”.
So in a perfect world you’d spend a RD5-6 pick there imo. We both know It won’t work that way though as each draft has segments of strength or weakness at each position. Then there’s just a luck factor of what positions go on a run and at what draft Round.
In a perfect world I’m going FA at CB as I don’t like the idea of relying on a Rookie CB just imo. That would also allow us to wait until Day 3 at CB or at least take some emphasis off the CB position and spotlight a DT or WR or RB etc.

 

[Pkrjones]

CB & NT are still (2nd year, now) the weakest positions, with Edge & ILB close behind. The offense needs to wait while D holes are filled, imho.

Can't keep adding marginal, back of depth chart CB's, time to invest in a stud to lock down 1/2 of the field & let Valentine, Nixon & St. Juste fight for snaps.

Need a 330+lb NT who will eat double teams and not get blown off the line.

 

[Schultz]

CB & NT are still (2nd year, now) the weakest positions, with Edge & ILB close behind. The offense needs to wait while D holes are filled, imho.

Can't keep adding marginal, back of depth chart CB's, time to invest in a stud to lock down 1/2 of the field & let Valentine, Nixon & St. Juste fight for snaps.

Need a 330+lb NT who will eat double teams and not get blown off the line.

Agree with all of the above but IMO the OL is behind NT & CB and ahead of E & ILB as far as needs go. The OL depth scares me. Heck, the starters other than Tom worry me.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Watson is probably the second-most important skill position player on the team (behind Love). His speed opens up soooo much for the offense. I think Kraft is a better overall player but Watson provides something to the team that no other player does. Golden is really fast in his undies but not nearly as fast on the field as Watson. So no, the packers should NOT trade Watson but should absolutely extend him.

As for the OL, I'll start to believe in Gute's ability to draft decent olinemen when he goes back to drafting undersized ol players like the team did when they were 9 deep of good-great players. Gute's decision to start drafting huge olinemen has come with the caveat that those players are huge and not very good.

 

[OldSchool101]

Agree with all of the above but IMO the OL is behind NT & CB and ahead of E & ILB as far as needs go. The OL depth scares me. Heck, the starters other than Tom worry me.

I still think we should draft a Bonafide Center. I’m talking one from a Power 4 school with at minimum 2-3 years of Center experience. Also needs to be come with multiple 1st or 2nd team Conference type accolades.
I like Connor Lew, but his timeline could set him back as he recovers from an ACL last October. Otherwise he’d be my first choice. I still think there will be a good Center available either RD4 or RD5 area.

 

[tynimiller]

Watson is probably the second-most important skill position player on the team (behind Love). His speed opens up soooo much for the offense. I think Kraft is a better overall player but Watson provides something to the team that no other player does. Golden is really fast in his undies but not nearly as fast on the field as Watson. So no, the packers should NOT trade Watson but should absolutely extend him.

As for the OL, I'll start to believe in Gute's ability to draft decent olinemen when he goes back to drafting undersized ol players like the team did when they were 9 deep of good-great players. Gute's decision to start drafting huge olinemen has come with the caveat that those players are huge and not very good.

All of Gute's lineman draft....you make it seem as if he went away from something for a while but really hasn't. I mean three players over 320 in all the years back the the Jaire draft...and one is Belton who settled in and started playing fairly solid guard play in his rookie season (way too soon to know what is there) and one of the others is a rookie as well just last year and a 7th. The only other guy over 320 is Sean Rhyan who is for sure not an elite guy but is an absolute starter in the NFL level...now he's gonna need to continue to grow or I hope is overcome by someone else, but still...I'm confused by at least how I'm taking your OL comments as not lining up with reality of who we have drafted.

Weights of the guys drafted:
336
322
311
308
317
321
304
313
310
310
312
306
303
313
310
313

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

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.

I think you've overvalued Watson in a trade situation. I say that because of other trades of players of his caliber in their final contract year. More importantly, what Watson has done so far in his 4 years in the NFL wouldn't warrant a high 1st round pick for him.

This is a dilemma all teams face with players that are viewed as "still developing", as well as those that are coming off a contract that was marred by injuries. What exactly is their future value? Us as Packer fans want to view Christian Watson as a future Pro Bowl Hall of Famer and thus want the Packers to do everything possible to hang on to him.

I think a resign or trade of him ultimately depends on the value that he and his agent thinks that he has. Whatever number(s) that is, the Packers probably have been made aware of it and any team that might be interested in trading for Watson, would ultimately become aware of it too. Gute and the Packers will have to decide if those type of numbers are equal to their valuation of Watson, as well as if they can be made to fit within their future cap projections AND.....improve the team. That last one is important to look at in whole. No doubt that Watson's play improves the team, but would his salary? If this was The NBA or MLB, no doubt you resign Watson and move forward. However, with the NFL salary cap being what it is, it is a huge decision for Gute and the Packers. It is also made a lot bigger by the size that such a deal could reach.

My hope, the Packers don't do anything right now, unless that offer of a high first comes along, I don't think it will. Watson is playing on a $11M deal in 2026, ride it out and if he stays healthy and becomes so good that you can't let him walk in Free agency, tag him or pay him.

 

[OldSchool101]

Watson is probably the second-most important skill position player on the team (behind Love). His speed opens up soooo much for the offense. I think Kraft is a better overall player but Watson provides something to the team that no other player does. Golden is really fast in his undies but not nearly as fast on the field as Watson. So no, the packers should NOT trade Watson but should absolutely extend him.

As for the OL, I'll start to believe in Gute's ability to draft decent olinemen when he goes back to drafting undersized ol players like the team did when they were 9 deep of good-great players. Gute's decision to start drafting huge olinemen has come with the caveat that those players are huge and not very good.

I kinda think we’re a little too impatient at OL. Belton was one of the better pure pass protecting Tackles in college. Ironically and surprisingly it was his Run block that was substandard. If you only watch highlights you’d guess opposite because he’d positively pancake opponents. Yet if his initial punch didn’t work he’d struggle to catch up with sluggish footwork. As far as guys adapting to the NFL you always stress Pass blocking over Run because the league really flows in that direction. That said, GB specifically had flipped more recently to a higher volume Running game. I think it was 2024 where we literally ran more than we’ve seen since Ahman Green suited up.

Some of the running was due to newer Receivers and TE’s and protecting a young QB or one that had injured his knee pretty good. Plus we had just bright in Josh who’s a complete Hammer. We are starting to see glimmers of moving back to a more pass centric Offense. Now with Guys in their 4th seasons across our O we should see that open a little more.

Belton also really played LT in college. His projection was RT but experience didn’t aid him flipping to RG in his Rookie season. I think now that he’s had 2 offseason programs and comes back in at RG we’ll see at minimum a more concrete player (think of Sean that first season he had huge ? ?). Belton was actually more a later RD3 grade similar to Sean, but several scouts said his Pass grades put him ahead of many prospects that “graded” better. Some refining on footwork and counter moves and another year of experience should put any argument to rest about questioning his skill. Even I think it was Draft Buzz? That had him clear in RD4 but then said “he’d be a starter early in”.

A more experienced overall OL off 2025 should allow players like Watson or Kraft or even Golden to thrive a little better. Our only real loss was Rasheed and he got what? $4Mil base + incentives. He’s not exactly a Blindside Charmer!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I know this. Given the current Packer roster if I was Gute and I could only resign Watson or Kraft, I would choose Kraft. While I think Watson is a good WR, I don't think the Packers have or have had a TE like Kraft on their roster in quite awhile.

 

[mradtke66]

I know this. Given the current Packer roster if I was Gute and I could only resign Watson or Kraft, I would choose Kraft. While I think Watson is a good WR, I don't think the Packers have or have had a TE like Kraft on their roster in quite awhile.

I don't think those two immediately impact each other. TEs are cheap by comparison, even though Kraft has an argument that he should be paid top 5 for the position.

All that said, if you had to chose, I'm not sure it's as easy as you think. We have those handy stats about how much better Watson is when he is on the field, even when not targeted. I'd need to see those same stats for Kraft before I pick.

 

[tynimiller]

I know this. Given the current Packer roster if I was Gute and I could only resign Watson or Kraft, I would choose Kraft. While I think Watson is a good WR, I don't think the Packers have or have had a TE like Kraft on their roster in quite awhile.

Concur with this from a few angles:

- An elite level TE is more rare than an elite level WR
- Fiscally it is a penny pinching move - which is always nice.
- Tucker just ever so slightly fits the persona of GB but with a touch more edge which is refreshing.

Now, I've always been more than willing to live by the formula to be more than willing to have two of the three skill positions be in big contracts (RB | WR | TE) - signing both Kraft and Watson to extensions means 2026 is Jacobs last year unless arrive at a reduced extension more reasonable but agreeable for both.

THE argument for Watson is how much of a defensive alignment changer he is for us, that Kraft simply isn't.

 

[tynimiller]

I think you've overvalued Watson in a trade situation. I say that because of other trades of players of his caliber in their final contract year. More importantly, what Watson has done so far in his 4 years in the NFL wouldn't warrant a high 1st round pick for him.

This is a dilemma all teams face with players that are viewed as "still developing", as well as those that are coming off a contract that was marred by injuries. What exactly is their future value? Us as Packer fans want to view Christian Watson as a future Pro Bowl Hall of Famer and thus want the Packers to do everything possible to hang on to him.

I think a resign or trade of him ultimately depends on the value that he and his agent thinks that he has. Whatever number(s) that is, the Packers probably have been made aware of it and any team that might be interested in trading for Watson, would ultimately become aware of it too. Gute and the Packers will have to decide if those type of numbers are equal to their valuation of Watson, as well as if they can be made to fit within their future cap projections AND.....improve the team. That last one is important to look at in whole. No doubt that Watson's play improves the team, but would his salary? If this was The NBA or MLB, no doubt you resign Watson and move forward. However, with the NFL salary cap being what it is, it is a huge decision for Gute and the Packers. It is also made a lot bigger by the size that such a deal could reach.

My hope, the Packers don't do anything right now, unless that offer of a high first comes along, I don't think it will. Watson is playing on a $11M deal in 2026, ride it out and if he stays healthy and becomes so good that you can't let him walk in Free agency, tag him or pay him.

Straight clean trade I bet you get a 2nd for him - the league DC's prove every week he is on the field that the league knows what and who he is. You could likely get a first but you'd have to come off a 3rd with him I bet.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

There are some big name TE's that could hit Free Agency in 2027. Not sure if that will drive prices up or down. Depends on how they all do in 2027 and if any other free agent TE's jump into their value range.

- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions​

- Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

- Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I’m glad somebody has some grasp on reality. I dont think you can find anybody that would give you a 2026 2nd round pick for Watson. Reed your looking at a 4th?

So the offense is flat without watson .... But at the same time he is only worth a 3rd in trade???

He is a proven commodity. A #1wr on one of the best offenses in the NFL. 4.3, big tall fast strong..... You don't think a team would give their 1st for a plug in game changer wr like watson?

I mean if we are going to consider paying him $30m/yr, then obviously we value him that high.... Are we the only ones you're saying?

It only takes one team to believe he is worth it.

Miami is a good prospect. Hafley knows Watson is a star. Tyreek Hill turned his knee inside out last year.... They could use a bell cow wr that their new franchise QB is familiar with ... Even if they need that 1st rounder to rebuild. They'd still probably throw their caution to the wind and get willis his #1.

And Watson would be fantasy wr #1 I'd bet. Putting up huge numbers.