Packers: Three potential trade targets in 2019 season
By Evan Siegel
Three potential trade targets for the Green Bay Packers before next month’s deadline.
The Packers‘ roster is undeniably better than it was last year, but more improvements are needed to push the team into Super Bowl contention.
Here are three players for the Packers to consider at the deadline.
Parker has completely fallen out of favor in Miami. It’s been a long, back-and-forth run for him after being drafted in the first round by the Dolphins, and a change of scenery is long overdue. Parker has always been teetering on the edge of being a true number one receiver, but seemingly can never quite clear the hurdle.
On an expiring contract, the Packers would not be committing any money into the future upon trading for the former Louisville star. The price tag for such a trade would not be higher than a sixth-round pick either, which is not too bad considering the Packers have three seventh-round picks in next year’s draft. The Packers simply cannot be too confident in their receiving corps at the current moment.
Starting Thursday, defense after defense will pay tons of attention to Davante Adams, and simply take their chances with an otherwise completely unproven group.
Jimmy Graham can still cause problems from the tight end position, but with Equanimeous St. Brown done for the season already, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has an enormous amount of pressure on him. Geronimo Allison is sure-handed if incredibly inconsistent, and Jake Kumerow and Trevor Davis are doing nothing to scare opposing defenses.
Henry will certainly be more expensive a proposition for the Packers than Parker, but he could be a sneaky-good addition in the middle of the season. Aaron Jones is clearly a starting-caliber running back, but his body-type makes him extremely susceptible to injuries.
Quite simply, Jamaal Williams is not talented enough to be trusted at the position. Dexter Williams had a decent fourth preseason game, but he was otherwise awful in the exhibition season.
Henry might just be what transforms the Packers offense into a running football team. For a rookie head coach, a group of unproven receivers and a somewhat aging quarterback does not usually signal a devastating air attack is on the way. Matt LaFleur worked with Henry as the offensive coordinator in Tennessee, when Henry had his best year as a pro.
It is very easy to swat this idea aside considering that the team already has Aaron Jones. Why give up draft compensation for a player at a devalued position when you already have a talented player at that same position making less than a $1 million?
The truth is, Henry is just a really good player. The Packers currently do not have enough players at his level, especially one who can provide the inside power that Jones lacks. If the Packers want to get back to the Super Bowl, they should forget about every last principle and instead pursue players that can get them back to the big game.
Believe it or not, the Packers are still on the hunt for help at inside linebacker. Blake Martinez has always been a tantalizingly solid player, but never a great one. Oren Burks, upon getting healthy last year, played incredibly poorly. He is hurt again to start this season.
Ty Summers, a rookie seventh-round pick out of TCU, had arguably the best preseason out of anyone on the defense. The addition of B.J. Goodson from the Giants might also provide the previously lacking depth.
Bucannon had an up-and-down stint in Arizona, and signed a one-year deal to reunite with Bruce Arians in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers will not be competitive this season, so any draft compensation that comes their way would be welcomed.
The Packers could look to drastically upgrade from Raven Greene, who they are squinting and hoping could develop into a combo safety-linebacker. Bucannon, while not spectacular, is at least polished at playing both positions at once, and can be the player Josh Jones never was. Similarly to B.J. Goodson, this could be an addition to give the Green Bay defense a little extra kick midway through the season.
For far too long, the Green Bay defense has been synonymous with tissue paper. Bucannon is a little lacking in some of the fundamentals, but he is an absolute tank in the middle of the field. Adding another enforcer alongside Adrian Amos could make opposing receivers think twice about sharply cutting in their routes over the middle and give the defensive backs a half-step.
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While overflowing with upside, there is a lot for this defense to prove, and adding Bucannon might give them a little jolt.