The Green Bay Packers head into the 2025 NFL Draft with only eight selections, the fewest during Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager. Green Bay has only 29 players under contract for the 2026 season, tied for the eighth fewest in the league. To make matters worse, the Packers have the lowest projected cap space of any team with fewer than 30 players signed, making the scarcity of draft picks even more problematic.
Gutekunst has never moved down in the first round. In his seven drafts, he has either stayed put or traded up. He chose to stay at his original spot in the last four drafts while moving up in the first three years of his tenure.
The Packers have compelling reasons to consider moving down in the 2025 draft. The talent pool between the back end of the first round and Round 2 is fairly comparable, offering Green Bay an opportunity to gain more assets without sacrificing value.
Moreover, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Devonte Wyatt, and Quay Walker will all become unrestricted free agents next year. With the financial strain of re-signing all these players, trading down to accumulate more assets would be prudent, helping the Packers better position themselves to navigate tough roster decisions ahead.
Green Bay likely places significant value on the fifth-year option that comes with first-round picks, which is why they have never traded out of the first round since Gutekunst took over as GM. However, if the Packers were to devise a strategy to trade down in this year’s draft, the perfect trade partner could be waiting for them.
The Kansas City Chiefs.
In his recent draft preview article, ESPN’s Matt Miller suggested that the Chiefs might look to trade up to land an offensive tackle.
I’ve heard that the Kansas City Chiefs are actively looking to trade up in Round 1. They signed left tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency but were otherwise quiet, opting to re-sign their own versus hitting the open market. A move up in Round 1 would likely be for a long-term offensive tackle solution; I heard the goal would be to move in front of the Houston Texans (No. 25) and Los Angeles Rams (No. 26) if the Chiefs like a specific left tackle still on the board.
The Packers could always use more protection for Jordan Love, but reinforcing the offensive line doesn’t seem as pressing as addressing other positions like the defensive line, cornerback, or wide receiver. Given that, a trade with a team focused on different priorities becomes a viable option.
Per the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart, the 23rd-overall pick is worth 760 points, while Kansas City’s 31st selection is valued at 600 points. The Chiefs would likely need to include late third- and fourth-round choices to make up the difference.
Think about it this way: The Packers could inadvertently harm their NFC North rivals by trading with the Chiefs. Kansas City would pick ahead of the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, and it would be able to pick a prospect who might be high on their radar. It would also put the Chiefs ahead of the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders, two teams expected to be NFC contenders in 2025.
The Packers don’t necessarily have to trade down in Round 1. They could easily do so on Day 2 and still acquire significant value. However, the Chiefs present an intriguing trade partner for Green Bay, and, if Matt Miller’s reports hold true, they should have a real opportunity to strike a deal with Kansas City.
