Former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis just lost his presumed top target in Miami.
The Dolphins, who also now employ former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach and former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager, sent wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
The extra first-round pick is always a boon for a rebuilding team, but it leaves Willis without much support.
However, the Packers could help their former quarterback and staff members out. Clearly, there’s a good working relationship between Brian Gutekunst and Sullivan, who was the right-hand man in Green Bay. And the new Miami staff is very familiar with Green Bay’s roster.
Perhaps they can strike a deal, with the Packers offering Miami one of their wide receivers for fair compensation. It’s something that could be done. However, would trading a receiver to the Dolphins be a good move for Green Bay’s current roster?
The Packers have a promising group of receivers on paper. Christian Watson leads the group and came back from a torn ACL in a big way. Matthew Golden was a first-round pick who came alive in the playoffs, and draftmate Savion Williams has intriguing potential. Jayden Reed has been awesome when healthy, and Dontayvion Wicks has had some nice games despite some growing pains.
Gutekunst added Skyy Moore in the early days of the new league year. While he could see some time on offense, it’s mostly a move made for special teams; Moore was an excellent returner last year.
The group just lost Romeo Doubs to free agency, though, leaving them with less depth than last season. Doubs was one of Jordan Love‘s favorite targets, and the Packers will have to adjust to his absence. Tight end Tucker Kraft also factors heavily in the passing game, but he may miss time at the beginning of the 2026 season.
There’s a lot to like about Green Bay’s weapons, but a mix of injuries, inconsistency, and inexperience means we don’t know how the group will perform over a full season. One major injury or a bad year from someone could make this group a weak link.
If Green Bay considers a trade, whether with Miami or another team, the two most likely options would be Jayden Reed or Dontayvion Wicks. These 2023 draft picks are coming to the end of their rookie contracts, and the Packers must decide if either player factors into their long-term designs.
Reed played in just seven games in 2025 and struggled with drops in 2024, but has been an impactful player since he joined the Packers. From 2023 to 2024, he was the closest thing to a WR1 Green Bay had, leading the team in yards both seasons and being second in targets. Reed has been an excellent slot receiver, but he can do damage from anywhere.
Whether or not Reed is in Green Bay beyond this season, he factors heavily into the offense. Presumably, the starting WRs in 11-personnel will be Watson, Golden, and Reed, and the offense likes to spread the ball around.
On the other hand, LaFleur might not like having Golden and Reed, two smaller-bodied receivers, on the field at the same time, since it limits blocking. That could lead to lineup changes, and if Golden does well, it could mean Reed isn’t in the long-term plans.
If Reed leaves in free agency, it should reward the Packers with a 2028 comp pick. If Green Bay would rather get a pick now, especially if they believe they can draft a rookie receiver that can play early, it could be worth the immediate pick.
Wicks hasn’t been as vital to the offense, but he led the Packers in targets in 2024 despite drop issues. He still seems to be growing as a receiver and can carry a game. He did that in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions, when he had 94 yards on six receptions, with two touchdowns.
Green Bay may find it easier to move Wicks than Reed. However, that would leave the Packers thin at receiver and eliminate a relatively bigger body. But, alternatively, a pick now might be higher than what the Packers would get as a comp pick next season.
There’s a case to be made that Green Bay can weather the loss of Reed or Wicks. They’ve had a long history of developing serviceable wide receivers, and Bo Melton showed last season that even as a cornerback, he can still make plays on offense.
If the Packers could get a player at a position of need, rather than just draft capital, that could move the needle. Reed or Wicks and a pick for running back De’Von Achane, for example, would be a fun tradeoff to elevate their run game at the risk of a more shallow receiver room.
There’s a good case for a trade. However, the Packers don’t want to run a valuable player out of town for the chance to gamble on another player just because they might not be on the roster in 2027. It comes down to whether or not Gutekunst thinks Reed and Wicks help the team more in 2026 than an extra draft pick or a potential Miami player would.
