What would it cost Packers to trade up in first round of 2022 NFL Draft?
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves to trade up in the first round.
Three times in four years, Gutekunst has traded up on Day 1 of the draft.
In 2018, the Packers traded down from their original pick at No. 14, dropping all the way back to No. 27 and receiving a 2019 first-rounder in exchange. Gutekunst then traded up from No. 27 to No. 18 to select Jaire Alexander.
That bonus pick from the Saints turned out to be No. 30 overall in 2019, which Gutekunst used to trade up to No. 21 for Darnell Savage.
In 2020, Gutekunst moved up from No. 30 to No. 26 to select Jordan Love.
Will the Packers move up on Day 1 again? What would it cost them?
Cost for Packers to trade into top 10
Remember, Green Bay owns two picks in the first round — Nos. 22 and 28 overall.
Even so, trading into the top 10 would be expensive. Gutekunst would have to absolutely love a top prospect like an edge rusher or wide receiver to move up this far.
Realistically, a move inside the top five would be too difficult. Green Bay would have to give up way too much here.
A move to No. 10 could make more sense. That’s where the New York Jets pick. They also have the fourth overall selection so may be willing to move down from No. 10.
Using Drafttek’s trade value chart, the Jets’ No. 10 pick is worth 1,300 points. Green Bay’s two first-rounders are a combined 1,440.
With that in mind, the Packers’ two first-rounders would be enough to get them roughly as high as No. 8 overall, which belongs to the Atlanta Falcons.
If Green Bay moved up for New York’s selection, it’s possible it could also ask for another pick in return, maybe in the fourth round.
Another option would be to swap third-rounders. In that scenario, the Packers’ picks would be worth a combined 1,572 points, the Jets’ selections worth 1,545.
Here’s what that deal could look like:
The Packers get the luxury of picking in the top 10 while also landing a higher third-round pick. The Jets move down but bring back two first-rounders, giving them three swings of the bat on Day 1.
Cost for Packers to trade to No. 15
It would be easier for the Packers to trade to pick No. 15 or later.
Let’s use the Philadelphia Eagles’ No. 15 overall pick as an example. That is worth 1,050 points, per Drafttek’s trade value chart. Green Bay’s No. 22 selection is worth 780 points. That’s a difference of 270 points.
The Packers may have to give up a pick in the second round — No. 59 overall is worth 310 points. The Eagles could offer a late-round pick such as a fifth-rounder to sweeten the deal.
It could look something like this:
I’m not a big fan of this one. That’s a lot to give up.
Cost for Packers to move up from No. 28
Maybe the Packers pick at No. 22, then move up from No. 28.
Jumping up to No. 23 overall, currently owned by the Arizona Cardinals, would create a difference of around 100 points in picks value. Green Bay may have to send its third-rounder or both fourth-rounders in return.
It gets significantly cheaper the later it goes. For example, a trade up two spots to No. 26 might only cost the Packers a Day 3 pick.
Let’s look at an aggressive trade-up that sees Green Bay swap places with Arizona at No. 23. As a result, the Packers would own back-to-back picks.
Here’s what it could look like:
Arizona doesn’t own a pick in either the fourth or fifth rounds this year, which may complicate this slightly. That’s why this trade scenario has the Cardinals sending a future fifth.
Is there a player you would like to see Green Bay trade up for? And if so, how aggressive should Gutekunst be in the first round?