With one more game before their bye week, the Green Bay Packers are pretty beat up.
Seven players didn’t practice on Wednesday, including Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Rasheed Walker, Evan Williams, and Jaire Alexander.
Williams and Alexander are noteworthy on the defensive side of the ball. With Williams sidelined against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the entire secondary needed shuffling. While they weren’t awful, the Green Bay secondary probably had its worst second half of the season.
The Packers thankfully avoided a long-term injury with Alexander, who could still play this Sunday. However, Alexander has missed some time already, and the secondary suffers when their best corner can’t play. With that in mind, is it worth the Packers considering a rare move and being buyers before the trade deadline?
Mike McCarthy famously joked about the traditional activity level (or lack thereof) before the trade deadline.
“I thought it was next week, no?” the former head coach told a reporter in 2016.
“No,” the reported replied.
“That’s what it’s like,” McCarthy answered with a grin.
Times have changed, but the Packers are still more likely to be sellers than buyers at the trade deadline.
Last season, Brian Gutekunst surprised everyone by trading Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round pick despite Buffalo’s defense not exactly playing its best. Rumors have also circulated about Preston Smith and Andre Dillard as potential trade options this season.
For the most part, Green Bay’s roster doesn’t have a significant area of need where they need to commit capital. As much help as the pass rush needs, they believe in the guys they have, and stars like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby probably aren’t realistic options.
However, these injuries to the secondary could create a need, especially if the Packers don’t like the long-term viability of their current room.
The best version of the secondary allows Williams to play next to Xavier McKinney while Javon Bullard plays a slot role. With Williams out, Bullard returned to the traditional safety role, and Trevor Lawrence picked on him. That led to a bigger need for Keisean Nixon and Eric Stokes at cornerback, and that tandem hasn’t been overly effective this season, as you can see from the data below.
Amidst these struggles, Carrington Valentine has seemingly dropped down the depth chart despite being healthy.
The Packers have seventh-round rookie Kalen King on the practice squad and could call him up if they feel he’s ready.
Many considered cornerback a major need this offseason, but King was Green Bay’s only significant addition.
The Packers don’t need to make a trade for the sake of it. But despite getting good news on Alexander’s injury, there’s no guarantee he’ll play in every remaining game. Additionally, corner still feels like a roster need beyond this season. Green Bay didn’t pick up Stokes’ fifth-year option, and he might be a long shot to be on the roster next season.
That means it’s worth at least taking a look at who is available via trade.
Of course, trade targets are available for a reason. Either the team is beyond the point of competing for a Super Bowl, or the player is underperforming.
The Packers have just under $14 million in cap space. It’s enough to make a move, but it seems unlikely they’d go for an expensive option like Jalen Ramsey, Marshon Lattimore, or Denzel Ward.
Greg Newsome was a popular draft crush for the Packers in 2021 and could be available. Still, he hasn’t played well this year, and they picked up his fifth-year option, which makes him an expensive option. The vibes in Cleveland haven’t been good this year, so I don’t know if I’d let the performance deter me, but I don’t think the Packers would do it.
The 2021 eighth-overall pick Jaycee Horn is in a similar position: His fifth-year option has been picked up, and he’s playing for a lousy team. But Horn has had a much better season than Newsome and could be the future Eric Stokes “replacement.”
There are also other appealing veteran options like Kendall Fuller.
While I think Gutekunst will do his due diligence, I’d be surprised to see him make a big move. More realistically, the Packers will bet on their young roster and Jeff Hafley’s scheme. If anything, it would be unsurprising if they signed someone from another practice squad, which is their usual M.O.
If something happens to Alexander in the next week, that could change their approach. But barring that, I think the defense has been good enough to persevere. The right addition could be fun and set the Packers up beyond 2024, but it doesn’t feel like a must-have. Every team faces injuries to key positions, and the Packers roster is strong enough to make the playoffs.