How much would it cost Packers to trade up in first round of draft?
The Green Bay Packers have made a habit of trading up in the first round of the draft having done so three years in a row.
What would it cost them to make another move up in the first round this year?
Green Bay enters the 2021 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick, but based on Brian Gutekunst’s history as general manager, we shouldn’t necessarily expect the team to actually pick in that spot.
With the help of DraftTek’s trade value chart, here’s what it could cost Green Bay to trade up to various spots in the first round.
Packers trade up into top 10
Without a doubt the most unlikely of all scenarios for Green Bay. Trading up from No. 29 to inside the top 10 would be incredibly expensive and would be a sign Brian Gutekunst believes there is a player available who can be a major difference-maker right away.
Teams might make a trade this bold if they are in the mix for a quarterback but given Green Bay drafted Jordan Love a year ago and has Aaron Rodgers coming off an MVP season, it would seem unlikely.
But let’s imagine there’s a scenario in which a top cornerback or wide receiver falls and Gutekunst decides to be bold. A move inside the top 10 would likely cost Green Bay at least one future first-round pick depending how high they were moving.
Even to move to No. 10, the Packers would likely need to give up a second- or third-rounder this year in a package with future early picks.
Not going to happen.
Packers trade up into top 20
What if they want to move to somewhere between No. 11 and No. 20?
It’s still very unlikely they would jump up anywhere inside the top 15 as this would cost a lot. For example, trading up to No. 15 could cost them a second-round pick along with a fourth-rounder this year. Possibly even more.
Perhaps the best recent example for the Packers was back in 2018 when they traded the No. 14 pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the No. 27 pick and a future first-rounder from the Saints. That’s a lot to give up.
But to No. 19 or No. 20? Maybe.
It would still be an expensive move. Green Bay could potentially move up that high by sending a second-round pick in return. Gutekunst would need to absolutely love a prospect who he feels could make a big impact early on. Giving away another early-round pick would have to be worth it.
Packers trade up into top 25
The most likely option for Green Bay would see the team jump up somewhere between No. 21 and No. 25. This would be far more affordable.
In 2019, the Packers moved from No. 30 to No. 21, giving the Seattle Seahawks two fourth-round picks in exchange. Last year, the Packers gave up a fourth-rounder to move four spots from No. 30 to No. 26. While they didn’t move into the top 25, going from No. 29 to No. 25 would be similar.
Perhaps if one of the top cornerbacks in the class is still there at No. 25, Gutekunst would be willing to trade away a mid-round pick to move up. Green Bay does own two fourth-round picks this year, something to keep in mind.