Predicting trades in the NFL draft isn’t the easiest thing to do — but that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking a swing at it. Green Bay holds the No. 23 pick in Round 1. It’s worth noting that the Packers have moved up twice in the first round under general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Here are two trade-up deals that could make sense.
Trading up with the Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay trades: No. 23, No. 54, and No. 198
Atlanta trades: No. 15 and No. 118
In this scenario, Gutekunst bends the knee to give up three picks for two in a move he’d typically be on the other end of. So what’s the allure here?
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
McMillan was widely regarded as the top wide receiver in the draft class months ago, but some have pivoted toward Texas’ Matthew Golden. Even among those who still hold McMillan as the best at the position, his stock has slipped a bit.
McMillan may go as high as No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots or even No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Many mocks have him falling beyond the top 10, though. If that happens and McMillan is on the board at No. 15, why not take a big swing if you’re Gutekunst?
McMillan held a private workout in March. While many scouts were in attendance, only one general manager was there. Who was it, you ask?
There’s no denying Green Bay could use a jolt at wide receiver, and McMillan’s big frame, coupled with his hands and catch radius, will have many front offices giddy.
Gutekunst was the only general manager who attended the private workout, which tells us he has some interest. It wouldn’t be surprising if McMillan is still on the board at No. 15 when Green Bay could pounce.
According to Drafttek’s NFL trade value chart, this trade is fairly level. The Packers jump up eight spots to snag the guy many regard as the top receiver in the draft.
So why would Atlanta do this?
The Falcons only have five picks in the draft, and two are in the seventh round. It’s not exactly a treasure chest of selections. If you’re Atlanta with multiple needs, why not move back eight spots on Day 1 and scoop up an additional second-rounder along with a sixth? The Falcons would be parting with their fourth-rounder to level things out. Still, having three picks from No. 23 to No. 54 has to be enticing for a team lacking serious draft capital.
Green Bay gets its wide receiver, and the Falcons add another pick to an otherwise slim selection total — and still get a pick in the first round.
Let’s consider another possibility.
The Packers trade up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green Bay trades: No. 23 pick and No. 124
Tampa Bay trades: No. 19
This one is a little easier to follow. Green Bay moves up four slots in Round 1. To do so, they part ways with their fourth-rounder. Again, the trade value chart has this as nearly even.
Why are the Packers moving up this time around?
According to ESPN, a rival scout expects the Packers to take defensive players early in the draft. This wouldn’t be shocking; Green Bay has had nine first-round picks since Gutekunst took over, seven of which have been defensive players.
Let’s run with this narrative and say the Packers focus on an edge rusher, a major area of need. In this scenario, Abdul Carter is long gone, Mike Green is wearing another team’s jersey, and Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Georgia’s Mykel Williams are the top two pass rushers on the board. Let’s say one of those two also goes before pick No. 19. Now the Packers are itching to move up before it’s too late.
Green Bay moves up four slots, gives up their fourth-rounder, and gets either Ezeiruaku or Williams.
On the one hand, you have Ezeiruaku, who defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley recruited at Boston College and played for Hafley before he took the Packers gig.
On the other hand, you have Williams, a Georgia Bulldog. Since Gutekunst took over, the Packers have drafted three defensive players from Georgia in the first round. Add in 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard, and Green Bay has taken four Bulldogs early in the draft since 2018.
Even if the Packers have all the faith in the world that Lukas Van Ness will have a breakout in 2025 and that Rashan Gary will be more consistent, they need to make at least one addition to the room. Ezeiruaku or Williams solve that puzzle, giving the Packers more stability.
Again, this scenario is contingent on the Packers wanting to scratch that particular itch in the first round, seeing one of Ezeiruaku or Williams go before pick No. 19, and feeling they need to move up to get the other. Still, it’s not an unlikely scenario.
Everything is on the table in Round 1 for Green Bay. The team could move up, move back, or stand firm. Trading up for McMillan or a pass rusher certainly wouldn’t be a bad approach.
