Packers trade deadline: When is it, areas of need, potential targets

The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday. What are the Green Bay Packers’ areas of need, and who could they target in a trade?

The trade deadline often passes without much activity from the Green Bay Packers. That might be the case again this week, but with Brian Gutekunst at general manager, anything is possible.

The Packers have become active participants in the first week of free agency, something we rarely saw in the past. If a deal is there to be made, there’s little doubt in my mind Gutekunst would make a move.

Ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, here’s everything you need to know.

When is it?

The trade deadline is on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. CT.

Should the Packers look to buy or sell?

Buy.

The Packers are a contending team with an MVP quarterback. Not making a trade won’t stop them competing for a Super Bowl, but a deal at a position of need could certainly help them.

Aaron Rodgers is 35 years old and this team is playing some of the best football in the NFL. In a league that changes so much year to year, who’s to say this won’t end up being Rodgers’ best chance at winning a second ring?

Maybe that’s not the case. Perhaps the Packers will be even better a year or two from now. But that’s no guarantee. This isn’t to say the Packers should make a trade for the sake of it or give away too much, but if there’s a player available who can help them this season, Gutekunst should make a move.

I’d like to see a sense of urgency. They have a great chance to win it all this season. If that means giving up a future second-round pick for a player who might be a difference-maker in 2019, do it.

Areas of need

There are a few areas the Packers could look to improve. The most obvious is, perhaps, at wide receiver. While Allen Lazard looks to be a real talent and should be the number three receiver moving forward, the depth behind Davante Adams is a slight concern.

If Gutekunst can add a talented receiver who can make a difference to the offense, he shouldn’t hesitate to make it happen.

Other areas they could look to strengthen include defensive tackle, inside linebacker and tight end.

Potential targets

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted that Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson is a player to watch at the deadline.

The Bengals have said they won’t be trading star receiver A.J. Green, but he’s in the final year of his contract and Cincinnati is 0-8. A trade could make sense for both teams. The Bengals would receive draft picks for a player who could walk next spring anyway, and the Packers would get an elite receiver to help in a season they could compete for a Super Bowl.

Nothing seems to suggest Green will be going anywhere before Tuesday’s deadline, but who knows?

Zach Kruse of Packers Wire wrote about why receivers Tajae Sharpe and Dante Pettis could make sense for the Packers.

Emmanuel Sanders and Mohamed Sanu have already been traded, but Gutekunst could have a couple of options ahead of the trade deadline. As ever, it will come down to value.

Who do you think the Packers should target at the trade deadline?