Anyone can make their own mock draft online, but the reality of what will happen on draft day is almost impossible to guess. (Example: Jordan Love.)
During the NFL annual meetings, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said they need a speedy wideout or two and that they will be aggressively going after receivers. The Packers have a great roster and 11 picks in this year’s draft to add depth. They could use another defensive end next to Kenny Clark. Some young offensive line help would be nice. An additional linebacker or safety wouldn’t hurt.
It appears the Packers might become a running-game heavy, defense-focused team. That is a great plan with the current roster, but they still need receivers for Aaron Rodgers to throw to. They might not even take a wide receiver in their first pick or two, but it will definitely be addressed at some point during draft weekend, either through picks or trading with another team — and not just swapping picks. There is a good chance the Packers will walk away with a veteran or established wide receiver who isn’t drafted that weekend.
Green Bay has several great potential trade partners during this year’s draft. One of them would be the Philadelphia Eagles. They could trade picks on draft day, or make a deal that includes swapping some players. Let’s explore one trade with each scenario.
Packers Trade Pick-for-Pick With Eagles
Going into the 2022 draft, the Eagles have 10 picks and the Packers have 11. The Packers now have two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks thanks to the Davante Adams trade. The $15 million of cap space available doesn’t hurt either. The Eagles have three first-round picks and one in the second round.
The sheer number of picks makes it easier to orchestrate a trade. They have picks 15, 16, and 19. The Eagles will most likely pick a safety or wide receiver with picks No. 15 and 16. It might be harder for the Packers to trade up to these spots. Green Bay has the No. 22 and 28 picks to work with. They might not go for moving up that high, but it’s definitely possible they could trade for No. 19.
The trade: Packers trade pick No. 22 and seventh-round pick No. 249 for pick No. 19.
Ideally, Jameson Williams or Chris Olave drop, and Green Bay is able to grab one of them.
It might be safer to grab an earlier pick, but Green Bay might have to give up more for that. But if they really want one of those top receivers, it could be worth it. Receivers like Drake London and Jahan Dotson should be around the 20s if they wanted to double up. If not, they can do their usual unsexy but solid selection of an offensive lineman or defensive end. A receiver like Olave could make a world of difference for the offense.
Packers Trade Picks for Eagles Receiver
As much as I would love for Green Bay to get DeVonta Smith, it’s not very realistic. The Packers might have to give up the same amount of draft capital as the Las Vegas Raiders did for Adams. Smith was the No. 10-overall selection last year and impressed a lot of people. He did end the year with only five touchdowns and 916 yards, but he also had to play quarterback roulette, and his sophomore year should show how talented he is.
There is also a good chance the Eagles draft another receiver in the first round as well so they have a WR2 behind Smith. They signed Zach Pascal in free agency and also have Greg Ward, Jalen Reagor, and Quez Watkins. The Packers should try to get Reagor.
The trade: The Packers send either pick No. 59 in the second round or pick No. 92 in the third round for Jalen Reagor.
Like Smith, Reagor was also a first-round pick for the Eagles. He was the 21st-overall selected in the 2020 draft. In his rookie season, he had 31 receptions for 396 yards and one touchdown. In 2021, he had 33 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns. But Reagor’s quarterback has also never been Aaron Rodgers. The Eagles had 20 total receiving touchdowns last season. In 2020, they had 22. And that was between two quarterbacks as well, Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts.
In 2020, Rodgers threw 48 touchdown passes. He threw another 37 in 2021. That is 85 touchdowns compared to 42. It would be almost statistically impossible for Reagor to do worse with the Packers. He would be catching passes from the reigning two-time MVP and should get plenty of looks. They would have Reagor, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Juwann Winfree, and whomever the Packers decide to draft or trade for.
They would get Reagor with two seasons remaining on his rookie deal. I’m sure the Eagles would like another year to see what he can do, but if they are ready to move on with another first-round pick at receiver, the Packers could walk away with a sneaky younger pass-catcher who just needs a new team, system, and quarterback.
What Is More Likely
Of the two options, trading up in the draft seems more probable. The Eagles could use all three of those first-round picks, but moving back a little in the draft with one of their first-rounders wouldn’t be bad for them either. They could still grab the players they want, and the Packers could make sure they get the impact receiver they need.
But knowing the Packers, they will probably draft a linebacker and safety along with additional picks that make us scratch our heads at first.
