Packers have ‘made some noise’ about trading up in first round

The Packers are reportedly interested in trading up in the first round.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has traded up in the first round of the past two drafts. He is reportedly considering doing so again.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers are among the teams to have “made some noise” about moving up tonight.

What we don’t know is how far would Gutekunst be willing to move up? Would this be a trade into the 20s if a wide receiver like LSU’s Justin Jefferson falls? Or would it be a blockbuster move even higher than that? Doing so could mean going after one of CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, or Henry Ruggs III if one of them is still available.

In a conference call earlier this week, Gutekunst said the Packers will be “aggressive as we need be”, and we know to take him seriously when he says that. When Gutekunst says he’s willing to be aggressive, he means it.

This doesn’t guarantee the Packers will make a trade in the first round of the draft tonight. They might not even make an offer. If they move up, it’s because they’ve targeted a specific prospect they don’t believe will fall to No. 30. If that player is already gone, any plans to move up can be forgotten.

But the fact the Packers have already shown some interest in moving up suggests they believe a player they like could fall far enough for them to pick up the phone.

Two years ago, Gutekunst traded back up in the first round after initially trading down to select cornerback Jaire Alexander. This turned out to be a great move. Alexander is a rising star, and the move also brought back a future first-round pick.

That bonus selection, which turned out to be the 30th overall choice in 2019, was used once again to trade up, this time for safety Darnell Savage.

Will Gutekunst trade up again in the first round?