3 dream trade targets for Packers before 2022 deadline

EDGE Brian Burns

The Packers drafted Rashan Gary over Brian Burns in 2019. Both pass rushers have made great starts to their careers. Now imagine both played together in Green Bay.

It wouldn’t be easy to make a deal with the Carolina Panthers for their star pass rusher, but he will become a free agent after the 2023 season after they picked up his fifth-year option.

Add Burns to the Packers’ defense, and they would have the best pass-rush trio in the NFL.

Preston Smith is off to a great start to 2022 with two sacks and five quarterback hits. Gary also has two sacks with three quarterback hits.

Burns has made two sacks and four quarterback hits in two games. In 50 career games, he has made 27.5 sacks and 59 quarterback hits.

A Pro Bowler in 2021, Burns is one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL.

Would the Panthers be willing to trade Burns? Probably not. That’s why it would be a dream move for the Packers.

But who knows? With the Panthers likely to be out of contention before the trade deadline and Burns entering a contract year in 2023, maybe the Packers could make a tempting offer.

A pass-rush trio of Burns, Gary, and Smith will likely never happen, but it would be incredible for the Packers’ defense if it did.