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Green Bay Packers: Now is the time to trade down for more picks

By Raymond Rivard

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers player Jordy Nelson leaves the field following the Packers' 38 to 10 victory over Seattle at Lambeau Field. Mandatory credit: William Glasheen/Post-Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers player Jordy Nelson leaves the field following the Packers' 38 to 10 victory over Seattle at Lambeau Field. Mandatory credit: William Glasheen/Post-Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Aug 18, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Green Bay Packers take the field prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Green Bay Packers take the field prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2017 NFL Draft just around the corner, there is a whirlwind of speculation out there, especially when it comes to the Green Bay Packers and whether GM Ted Thompson should skip the first round and find a trading partner for the 29th pick.

A month ago, everyone was shouting about the defense and especially the cornerback position.

Clearly the Packers need help at that position, but is it wise to take a first round pick at #29 when the field at that position if packed with talent.

Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Since all-world guard T.J. Lang spurned the Packers and signed with his hometown Detroit Lions in free agency, the cry to find a replacement has been loud and clear.

Don Barclay is not the answer.

So the Packers have gone from an offensive line that was the strength of the team to one that in less than two seasons, have lost the two bedrock players: Josh Sitton, who was cut right before the draft last spring, and Lang.

Guard is not a position you draft in the first round, unless one of spectacular talent falls to number 29. That’s not going to happen.

When you consider the team’s other important needs – running back and inside linebacker – one would be wise not to expend a late first-rounder on those positions either.

Thompson would be wise to play his cards right, find a trading partner who may be looking for a quarterback that may still be on the board near the end of the first round and pull the trigger.

Thompson has always been for gathering as many picks as possible and this seems to be the scenario where that may occur.

Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson sat behind the Wisconsin Badgers bench during the game with the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center. He received an ovation from the fans when he was introduced to the crowd. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson sat behind the Wisconsin Badgers bench during the game with the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center. He received an ovation from the fans when he was introduced to the crowd. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

The last time Thompson traded back was in 2008 when he pulled the trigger that allowed him to bring in wide receiver Jordy Nelson out of Kansas State.

Is there player out there in the second round – a running back maybe – who Thompson and his staff like who could be nabbed more easily by trading back.

Of course, we won’t know until late Thursday evening as to how this all plays out, but it’s an intriguing question that all Packers fans should be considering when the Packers come up on the board at number 29.

I know it would make Thursday night’s draft show a bust for many Packers fans, but if Thompson does it right, a move back may be a huge bonus for future Packers teams.

Next: Top 30 moments of Green Bay Packers history

The speculation continues …

Stay tuned …

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