Packers: How realistic is trading up in first round of 2020 NFL Draft?

Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has traded up in the first round the past two years, but how realistic is it that he’d make a similar move again? Or, an even bigger one?

A year ago, the Packers moved up from the No. 30 spot (which they own again), nine positions to No. 21. They sent two fourth-round picks to the Seattle Seahawks in return.

So, let’s look at potential trade-up scenarios for the Packers on Day 1 of the draft, with some help from Drafttek’s trade value chart.

The Packers’ pick at No. 30 is worth 620 points. To move up, they’d need to compensate the other team with enough value to make it worthwhile for them.

For example, if the Packers wanted to trade for the Denver Broncos’ No. 15 pick (worth 1,050 points), they’d need to make up the difference of 430 points. One option would be to send their picks in the second and third, along with a sixth-rounder (a combined 429 points).

Simply put, that would be a very difficult trade for the Packers to pull off. That makes it highly unlikely they’ll make a move into the top-15 of the draft. From No. 30, it would take a lot to move up. And the higher they want to go, the more expensive it would become. A move inside the top-10 would take something similar to the Atlanta Falcons’ trade for Julio Jones in 2011.

The Falcons moved from No. 26 overall to No. 6. They had to give up picks in the first, second and fourth rounds that year, as well as their first- and fourth-round choices the following year.

If the Packers pulled off such a huge trade, it would only make sense for one of the top quarterbacks in the class if they believed he could be the future of the franchise.

But, realistically, a move inside the top-15 is unlikely.

Trading up to a pick between No. 15 and No. 20 would also be expensive, likely costing the Packers their second-round pick at the least. For example, the difference between No. 30 and No. 18 is 280 points. Green Bay’s second-rounder at No. 62 overall is worth 284 points.

If the Packers are to trade up, it’s more likely to be somewhere in the 20s like we saw last year. A trade-up to No. 24, for example, would be a difference of 120 points. Green Bay’s third-round pick is worth 124 points.

That may still be more than Gutekunst is willing to give away, but if there’s a top receiver or inside linebacker available he loves, giving up a third-round pick to move up could be worth it.

The Packers gave up two fourth-rounders to move up nine positions a year ago, but they only have one fourth-rounder to work with this time, making it harder to agree on a similar trade. Also, those two picks were No. 114 and No. 118 overall. This year, Green Bay’s fourth-round pick is No. 136 overall.

Gutekunst has proven that trading up is certainly in play, but it won’t be easy to agree on a deal. Moving into the early 20s won’t be as simple as giving up two fourth-rounders. The Packers would likely need to give away their third-rounder.

But if they wanted to only move up three or four positions, it would be affordable. If the Packers were to agree on a deal with the Seahawks at No. 27, they might only need to give up mid-to-late-round picks. A fourth, fifth, and sixth could potentially get it done based on the trade value chart.

However, all that could go out the window if there’s a player Gutekunst loves and believes would make a huge difference right away. He’s been aggressive in the past, so who knows? If he had to jump up the draft order and give away a second-round pick in return, maybe he’d do it.

Do you think it would make sense to trade up? And who would you target as GM?