Packers should consider trading down in 2019 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers should consider trading down in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Despite entering the first round of April’s draft with two picks, the Green Bay Packers should consider trading down.

The Packers already own 10 picks, six of which come in the opening four rounds, but they have a real opportunity to strengthen the roster, and adding more picks will help them do just that.

First let’s consider some options with the 12th overall pick. While I’m against the Packers drafting for need, they could absolutely decide to trade to a position to select an edge rusher. It’s a good offseason to need pass rushers, and the Packers don’t necessarily need to use the 12th pick to select one.

It’s possible one of the teams in search of a quarterback will be willing to move up to the Packers’ spot at No. 12 (Washington Redskins at No. 15 would make the most sense). Moving down just a few spots wouldn’t have a negative impact on the Packers’ draft as they’d still be able to add a potential difference-maker, but they’d also receive an additional pick from Washington.

Using Drafttek’s trade value chart, it’s possible the Packers could receive a third-rounder from Washington while sending back a couple of late-round picks. But in this situation we’d have to assume Washington would be moving up for a quarterback, so Green Bay would have the leverage to set a high price.

With the 30th pick, the Packers could trade down into the second round, a move they made as recently as 2017. That year Green Bay moved down from No. 29 to No. 33, selecting Kevin King with the first selection of the second round, while also receiving a fourth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns.

In 2008, the Packers traded down from No. 30 to No. 36, using the pick to select Jordy Nelson. They received a fourth-rounder from the New York Jets.

More picks means more flexibility. And by picking up additional mid-round selections, Green Bay could enter potential trade negotiations in a stronger position.

Trading down doesn’t necessarily mean giving away a top-15 pick for one late in the first round, but just moving down a few spots could be a smart move by general manager Brian Gutekunst.

By adding more selections in the middle rounds, Gutekunst will have flexibility when it comes to potentially trading up later on, trading for a player, or just adding more depth to the roster.