Packers should trade Randall Cobb for Jared Cook

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb could have some trade value.

When the Green Bay Packers drafted Ty Montgomery in 2015 he was considered the heir apparent in the slot for Randall Cobb. Then the injury-plagued backfield necessitated him to switch positions.

Now, moving on from Cobb is not as pressing as what the internet in general would have you believe. I actually think the Pack will restructure Jordy Nelson (two years/$15 million) if they can extend him a year and let Cobb play out his contract.

However if the Packers do move on here is a possible solution.

Trade Cobb to the Raiders. They were a leading suitor when it looked like Cobb might hit the open market. They also have some ex-Packer leadership in place with GM Reggie McKenzie. Here is what I would offer. A straight up trade of Randall Cobb for Jared Cook.

Now if Green Bay can re-sign Cobb to a short but slightly reduced extension (2-3 years, $7.5-8 million per) prior to the trade they receive a fifth-round pick (assuming Cook refuses extension).

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Likewise if the Oakland Raiders can get Cook to sign a relatively cheap extension (say two years at $7-7.5 million per) we send them a fifth-round pick. I know it’s a high price but I love “Cookie” in this offense and so does Aaron Rodgers. So if you decide to get rid of Cobb why not bank some good will with #12 and bring back a guy he lobbied for.

Air Raid

In a previous article I pointed out Nelson had 20 touchdowns in the last 21 games he played with Rodgers. Adams is ascending and a great red-zone target for “Air Raid” Aaron Rodgers.

Put Montgomery in the slot and Cook in TE. With Aaron Jones making catches downfield and a revitalized, if thin, running back room it could be quite a dynamic player grouping.

A minor trade with deep impact

The other trade that I would advocate for would be a late-round pick (six or one of the Packers’ sevens) to bring cornerback LaDarius Gunter home from New Orleans.

The guy was ultra reliable, not streaky like the much more talented Randall. He has great size (6-foot-2, 190) and length for a Mike Pettine-led system that likes to jam at the line of scrimmage and play physical. He has better than average hands, a decent break on the ball and his only real flaw is his lack of speed.

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But most of his career in Green Bay he was covering top end to elite receivers. He would be a huge boost to the depth of cornerback room. With his size and youth he could be a quality piece for Pettine to employ in his inaugural season and beyond.