Packers' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2023 NFL Draft
In terms of actual moves, the Green Bay Packers have had the quietest offseason in the league.
They've only signed two external free agents and watched several contributors from last season walk away. Outside of a reworked contract for Aaron Jones, the obvious decision to re-sign Yosh Nijman and bringing back return specialist Keisean Nixon, even the internal moves haven't been much to write home about.
That should all change as we approach the NFL draft.
The draft could be the impetus for an Aaron Rodgers trade. That could give the Packers some clarity in regards to their cap situation and open the doors to other deals getting done as well.
Here's a look at three hypotheticals that would make for splashy storylines heading into the draft.
Trade QB Aaron Rodgers to the Jets
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Jets Receive: QB Aaron Rodgers
Packers Receive: No. 42 overall, 2024 second-round pick, conditional 2025 third-round pick (conditional on Rodgers playing a certain percentage of snaps in 2024)
The Aaron Rodgers trade saga could mercifully be coming to an end. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote the deal could happen as early as this week, with the compensation involving, "either the 42nd or 43rd pick, and a conditional pick or picks down the line."
Part of what makes this trade so difficult to flesh out is that Rodgers has been vocal about his intentions to retire in the near future. Just what his definition of that is is hard to figure out.
That's what makes it difficult for the Jets to figure out what is a reasonable price to acquire Rodgers. They already have to absorb his massive contract. Giving up valuable draft assets when Rodgers could turn around and retire next offseason is not something they are going to want to do.
In this hypothetical, Breer's guesswork is correct. The Packers only get a second-round pick for this year's draft but will continue to get picks for the next two offseasons if Rodgers continues to play.
It would give the Packers ammunition to move up if they like a player or just add another good prospect early in the second round.
Trade Up for WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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Titans Receive: No. 15 overall, No. 78 overall (third round)
Packers Receive: No. 11 overall (WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba)
The team that has avoided drafting wide receivers in the first round for over 20 years deciding to trade up for one would qualify as a big splash. The gesture wouldn't be lost on Aaron Rodgers on the way out either.
The Packers had a glaring need at wide receiver last season but traded up to get Christian Watson in the second round rather than addressing it in the first.
In this scenario, the opportunity to add Jaxon Smith-Njigba is too good to pass up or miss out on. JSN has had an incredibly productive career at Ohio State. He also fits in well with Watson and Doubs. While they both do their best work as deep threats on the outside, Smith-Njigba is a nasty route-runner with the ability to be elite in the slot.
The problem is that the Texans at 12 and Patriots at 14 both stand as potential Smith-Njigba teams that make sense. Rather than wait around and miss out on the talented pass-catcher, the Packers could give the Titans a call.
They are in the middle of a teardown after releasing several veterans this offseason. The ability to add an extra Day 2 pick here should be appealing to them as they move back just four spots.
Trade Back into First Round for TE Dalton Kincaid
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Chiefs Receive: No. 45 overall (second round), No. 116 overall (fourth round), 2024 third-round pick
Packers Receive: No. 31 overall (TE Dalton Kincaid)
The Packers let Robert Tonyan depart in free agency, officially opening the door for a rookie to take over as the team's leading tight end. Fortunately for them, this is a strong class.
Michael Mayer should be in play with the 15th pick. But it would also be understandable if general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn't want to spend a first-rounder on a tight end. It isn't a premium position and they could utilize the pick to address a need that's harder to find.
But if Darnell Washington or Dalton Kincaid fall to the Chiefs' pick at No. 31 then the scenario in which they trade back into the first round could come into play. Kincaid is the 26th player on B/R's big board.
The Utah tight end was one of the most productive receiving tight ends in the country. He brought in 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns, showcasing versatility to line up all over the formation and win on multiple route types.
Kincaid is not a dominant blocker by any means, but he shows that he's willing, and that's half the battle. His ability to operate in space and force defenses to keep tabs on him in coverage would help bring together a young core of pass-catching options for Jordan Love.
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