In the lead-up to this year’s NFL draft, rumors have swirled about the Green Bay Packers potentially trading up, with much speculation that they may target the Seattle Seahawks as a trade partner.
There is some precedent for a trade scenario between the Packers and Seahawks. In 2018, the teams pulled off a trade during the first round of the draft. Seattle sent the 18th-overall pick and a seventh-rounder to Green Bay in exchange for pick No. 27, a third-round selection, and a sixth-rounder. The Packers took Jaire Alexander 27th overall that year.
The Seahawks have the 16th-overall pick this year, and Green Bay holds the 25th. Navigating the draft board won’t be straightforward for the Packers because four other NFC teams stand between them and potential trade scenarios. The Dallas Cowboys have the 24th-overall pick and could complicate matters by trading up for a player Green Bay covets. The Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles have picks 19 and 22, respectively, and share similar needs with the Packers. The Minnesota Vikings hold the 23rd pick and may shake things up by using that pick in a package deal, possibly targeting a quarterback in a trade-up scenario within the top-five picks.
Even if they trade up, the Packers could still end up with a robust draft class in 2024. Given that they possess 11 selections in this year’s draft, including two second-round picks, Green Bay can trade up without compromising the rest of its draft capital.
Green Bay has traded up in the first round or into it five times this century. The first instance was a 2002 trade with Seattle. The Packers relinquished picks 28 and 60 in exchange for picks 20 and 156. With their newly acquired selection, Green Bay chose wide receiver Javon Walker. That was the last time the Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round.
The Packers traded up in the first round in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to take Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Jordan Love. Green Bay also traded into the first round in 2009 and acquired picks 26 and 162 from the New England Patriots in exchange for picks 40, 73, and 83. With the 26th-overall pick, the Packers selected linebacker Clay Matthews.
Reflecting on Green Bay’s Day 1 draft trade history reveals a clear pattern of prioritizing premium positions when engaging in trade-up scenarios. The Packers have targeted wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and quarterback in these maneuvers.
Therefore, if the Packers trade up with the Seahawks this year, it’s unlikely they would do so to select an offensive lineman. Historically, Green Bay has had considerable success uncovering value in drafting offensive linemen in the later rounds. Instead, they would likely use their trade capital to address positions where immediate impact and talent scarcity are more pronounced.
The Packers could move up for a defensive back in this year’s draft. With a loaded class of talent at the position, Green Bay has a prime opportunity to bolster its secondary, particularly addressing the nickel position. However, their selection isn’t necessarily limited to that role. The Packers could also prioritize acquiring a CB2 capable of starting opposite Jaire Alexander from Day 1, particularly if Eric Stokes faces challenges returning from injury or if Carrington Valentine encounters early struggles in his sophomore season.
Among the cornerback prospects, Quinyon Mitchell stands out as one of the most NFL-ready players. Prospects like Terrion Arnold and Cooper DeJean, who have appeared in many mock drafts this offseason, have garnered attention among fans and draft enthusiasts.
We can never discount the possibility of Green Bay selecting an athletic pass rusher on Day 1, especially given its recent draft history. In three of their last five drafts, the Packers have opted to bolster their pass rush with early selections. If Green Bay moves up, there’s a strong chance they could target a versatile defender like Byron Murphy II. Alternatively, if the Packers want to make a bold move, they could pursue Laiatu Latu, who is widely regarded as the most polished edge rusher in the class. However, it’s worth noting that Latu is an older prospect with a significant injury history.
As the Packers head into the 2024 season with heightened expectations, they will be keenly focused on acquiring prospects who can contribute immediately, particularly at premium positions. If Green Bay identifies a prospect they believe can make an immediate impact and help them contend for a championship, they won’t hesitate to move up in the draft to secure their target.
