The Green Bay Packers have made their trade for offensive lineman Darian Kinnard official, leading to their first roster cut on the eve of deadline day.
To make room on the soon-to-be 53-man roster for Kinnard, the Packers have released wide receiver Kawaan Baker.
It's not only the first roster cut domino to fall, but also the team's first decision at wide receiver. The Packers had 13 players at the position, a number they will likely reduce to five or six over the next 24 hours. Baker's exit is unsurprising.
Packers make their first roster cut ahead of a busy 24 hours
Green Bay claimed Baker on waivers earlier this month, but he always had a mountain to climb to make the 53-man roster. The former seventh-round pick had previously spent time on the Packers' practice squad.
Technically, releasing Baker doesn't help the Packers move closer to their 53-man roster target, as Kinnard takes his spot.
But it's a necessary move, as the Packers needed to find room for Kinnard, regardless.
It's exactly the kind of last-minute trade Green Bay needed to make, just like they did with a deal for Malik Willis last summer. The Packers understood the need to improve their offensive line depth, and rather than waiting to search for waiver-wire help, they jumped the queue and made a deal on the trade market.
Baker is the first wide receiver to depart, but the Packers have more decisions to make.
There are likely five roster locks at the position: Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams. Christian Watson will begin the season on the PUP list. That likely leaves, at most, one remaining spot.
Malik Heath may have the edge over free-agent addition Mecole Hardman, who seems a long shot to make the 53-man roster.
The Packers have made their first roster cut, but they still need to make 37 more before Tuesday's deadline.