Dontayvion Wicks' fate may be decided by Packers' draft day luck

Green Bay Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks might as well adopt "rumored trade target" as his middle name. Most recently, he has been linked to the New York Jets in their hunt for receiver depth. 

The Packers have held onto Wicks through weeks, months, and years of rumblings. The former fifth-round pick has been a capable, if inconsistent contributor since entering the league. It's still possible that he hasn't approached his ceiling. Green Bay can't flip him for a bag of chips and assorted mail coupons. 

That doesn't mean the right deal won't arrive eventually, and with Wicks entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Packers can't afford to thumb their noses at a fair return if they don't expect to retain him. 

In fact, that moment might come about sooner than expected. Depending on how the draft board breaks, Green Bay could have several solid Day 2 receiver prospects in range. Wicks would suddenly become dispensable. Perhaps having a replacement in hand is the nudge that gets a deal finally done.

Packers could encounter a golden opportunity later this month

It's probably unrealistic to expect a second or third-round rookie to replace Wicks entirely in year one. At the same time, the bar isn't dauntingly high. Could a rookie come in and match his 23.7 yards per game last season? Definitely possible.

Wicks himself enjoyed his most success as a rookie out of Virginia in 2023. The 159th overall pick debuted with 581 receiving yards on 14.9 yards per catch, numbers he's been chasing ever since.

Any of Chris Brazzell II, Germie Bernard, or Ted Hurst could account for Wicks' lost 2025 production. Not only that, it would be nice to secure another cheap target in case Jayden Reed prices himself out of the Packers' range a year from now. They also have Christian Watson's next extension to attend to. The receiver situation is deceptively fragile. 

Both Brazzell and Bernard could be available for Green Bay at No. 52 overall in the 2026 NFL draft.  Just maybe, Louisville receiver Chris Bell is still around. Based on big board rankings, Hurst might fall anywhere from late in the third round to the Packers' position at 120th overall next round.

Each prospect produced in college as his team's top option; all have the size and stature to succeed in the NFL. At 6-foot-5, Brazzell in particular has an intriguing physical profile, helping him lead Tennessee with over 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. 

Bell and Bernard, the two highest-ranked prospects, also put up strong numbers at Power 4 programs. Growing in popularity as a potential Packers target, Hurst posted his own 1,000-yard season for Georgia State. If Green Bay doesn't want to spend their first two selections, at No. 52 or 84, on receivers, he offers an alternative path while still providing rookie upside.

Average at best as Wicks has been, he should attract decent money as a free agent. The Packers shouldn't pay up to keep him, but they won't be able to roster another receiver this year without cutting someone. Bo Melton? Compared to getting something back in a trade, letting Melton go for free feels like a waste.

Though feasible in theory, drafting a quality receiver while keeping Wicks might just create a scenario of not enough snaps and too many mouths to feed. 

Of course, the Packers could also wait to play the compensatory pick game again next winter, accepting a back-end six-rounder when Wicks joins a receiver-needy squad on a 3-year, $36 million deal.

Or, they could seek better compensation now in a trade. While the Packers haven't received a persuasive offer yet, what qualifies as such could change three weeks from now if an appealing prospect falls into Green Bay's lap in the draft.