I know, it’s too early in the season for articles like this. But, do you really want to read another article on Joe Barry or AJ Dillon or David Bakhtiari? How about we have some fun and discuss Packers trades?
Budda Baker
Budda Baker is the most obvious candidate. He plays the Packers’ biggest position of need, he’s disgruntled with his current team, which is bad and focused on the future, and the right side of his RAS (the non-size metrics) are all elite.
Baker would immediately bring pro-bowl talent covering and blitzing to the defense. NFL secondaries are a weak link system, and he would turn a weak link into an obvious plus.
The problem is probably money. The Packers have basically no cap space and need to extend Rashan Gary and then resign Jon Runyan and potentially others. Are they willing to spend big (like top-3 at the position) type money and part with a 2nd or 3rd round pick? I doubt it.
Austin Hooper
This would be a “what?” type of trade but it sort of makes sense. The Packers have three rookies and a glorified fullback at tight end right now and a good amount of run game failures is due to that room.
Hooper isn’t a world beater or anything, but he might be cheap in a trade, has veteran experience, and would at least know what to do. Not to mention, he was drafted by a Falcons team with LaFleur as QB coach and Gutekunst wanted to sign him in free agency a few years ago.
Mike Evans
The Packers’ off-season decision was to let the WR room grow and avoid signing progress stoppers. But signing progress stoppers like Sammy Watkins is one thing and bringing in actual good players to make it so that you can evaluate Jordan Love is another.
Evans has performed surprisingly well over the first two games and is in the middle of a contract dispute with Tampa Bay. He’s another expensive player and would need a new contract to work with the Packers’ cap. It’s a long shot, but it does make sense to bring him to the team in the right scenario.
Jonathan Taylor
The Colts reported offer of Taylor for multiple picks and Christian Watson is a non-starter but something in between that and the 4th that Green Bay offered would be appealing. Taylor is one of the best backs in the league when healthy and we’ve seen over the past few weeks what having an elite back does for this offense.
In a world where almost every defense wants to play with light boxes and light players, obtaining a heavier RB who can still run would be a coup.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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