Packers trade up for wide receiver in 2021 mock draft

In all three of GM Brian Gutekunst’s draft classes with the Green Bay Packers, he’s traded up in the first round.

So to say it’s a possibility he trades up again would be an understatement. If there’s a prospect Gutekunst loves (no pun intended), he’s willing to make a trade.

Daniel Spencer’s latest 2021 mock draft for NFL Spin Zone sees Gutekunst once again moving up in the first round, but this time he should expect a better reaction from the fan base compared to last year.

Instead of trading up for Aaron Rodgers’ potential successor, Spencer’s mock has Gutekunst getting Rodgers some help. Green Bay trades up from No. 29 to No. 24, the pick currently owned by the Pittsburgh Steelers. With this selection, the Packers land wide receiver Rondale Moore out of Purdue.

Moore is one of the most exciting receivers in the entire class. He ran an impressive 4.29-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and he could be a game-changing addition to the Packers’ offense.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Moore to Tyler Lockett, writing that he “should become a good starting slot target with punt return potential”.

Whether the Packers would want to use Moore on punt returns is another question, but the fact he has the potential to do so would be a bonus as this is an area Green Bay needs to improve on special teams.

While you can argue that cornerback is a bigger need than wide receiver, Moore could be a difference-maker in Matt LaFleur’s system. Adding another playmaker for Aaron Rodgers to throw to is never a bad idea.

Gutekunst has traded up in the opening round three years in a row, selecting Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Jordan Love with those picks.

Will he trade up again to get Rodgers another receiver to throw to in 2021?