Packers should seriously consider trading up in 2020 NFL Draft
The Packers should consider trading up in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Two playoff-less seasons gave the Green Bay Packers a rare luxury of drafting early in the first round. Last year, they had the added benefit of picking twice on the opening day.
However, last season’s trip to the NFC Championship Game means the Packers aren’t scheduled to pick for the first time until No. 30 overall. But general manager Brian Gutekunst should consider trading up a few positions to land one of the top prospects in the draft.
That’s not to say the Packers should be aiming to move up into the top 10. Far from it.
In fact, last year’s draft could set the blueprint. Coincidentally, the Packers owned the No. 30 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, which they received in a trade from the New Orleans Saints. Gutekunst sent that pick, along with two fourth-rounders, to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the No. 21 pick.
A couple of things need to happen in order for a trade to be possible. The Packers would need to have a player in mind who they want to target, likely at a position of need. Last year that was Darnell Savage Jr.
Maybe in this year’s draft, it would be one of the best inside linebackers like Kenneth Murray, a top offensive tackle or even one of the best receivers in the class.
Another thing is a team would need to want to move down. Either because they believe there’s a player they like who will fall down the order, or simply because they don’t have many draft picks.
One candidate would be the Saints, who pick 24th in the first round but only own five total picks. They don’t have a second-round choice. The Packers, meanwhile, have 10 total selections. They have picks in each of the opening five rounds, then three sixth-round selections and two seventh-rounders.
Interestingly, a recent mock draft by Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks has the Packers moving up to No. 23 overall, sending picks in the first, third and fifth rounds to the New England Patriots. With that pick, they select offensive tackle Joshua Jones out of Houston.
With Bryan Bulaga potentially on the way out via free agency, trading up for one of the best tackles in the class could be a smart move. Especially if they address the inside linebacker position in free agency. That would allow them to add a wide receiver on Day 2.
Trading up can be risky and comes with no guarantees. But the Packers have 10 draft picks to work with, and moving up a few spots could help them draft a player they believe can be a difference-maker from Day 1.