The Green Bay Packers have a massive problem with their rushing attack, one that threatens to ruin their ambitions of making a deep playoff run.
One potential solution is to throw resources at the running back position. According to a report by Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport for ESPN, the Packers are among a handful of teams that have "pondered" or are "expected to consider" making a trade offer for All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor.
It's not the first time the Packers have been connected to a potential trade for Taylor, as they were rumored to be in talks with the Indianapolis Colts about a deal three years ago.
Would Taylor help the Packers' 32nd-ranked rushing attack? Absolutely. How could he not? Taylor has piled up 2,172 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in his past 24 regular-season contests, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt.
The idea of Taylor teaming up with Josh Jacobs is undeniably exciting after the Packers had to rely on a MarShawn Lloyd-Kaleb Johnson backfield in the opening six games.
However, Taylor also plays behind an elite Colts offensive line, something he simply wouldn't get in Green Bay. And it's that line the Packers should try to take a piece of before the trade deadline.
If the Packers are going to make a move for any Colts player before November 10, the conversation must start with All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson.
Packers need Quenton Nelson more than Jonathan Taylor, and it's not close
Elite running backs can overcome poor offensive lines, to an extent. Taylor would give the Packers' rushing game a significant jolt, of that there's little doubt. But Josh Jacobs is still an outstanding running back, and he struggled to consistently break through a wall of Detroit Lions defenders on Sunday.
Green Bay's run blocking is woeful.
Ranking 32nd in rushing yards per game and yards per carry tells us part of the story, but it's those final two statistics that shine such a damning light on the offensive line.
Green Bay ranks 30th in yards before contact. That's how much room the running backs have to work with before the blocking breaks down and they're met by a defender. The Packers are averaging just 1.8 yards before contact per carry. Compare that to the Lions, who average 3.2 yards.
And it's no surprise to see the Packers sit 30th in PFF's run-blocking grade through seven games. The stats and the analytics back up what shows up on tape every week.
That's where Nelson could make a significant impact.
How Quenton Nelson compares to Packers' offensive line in run blocking
The good news is that recent addition Laken Tomlinson has helped this unit. He's offering solid play in both the run and pass games, but that's it. Tomlinson isn't a difference-maker who lifts the entire rushing attack, but he can at least hold up.
Nelson would change the game.
The three-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler is the definition of an elite offensive lineman. He currently ranks fifth among all guards in run-blocking and third in pass protection.
How Packers could reshuffle their offensive line with Quenton Nelson
There would still be plenty of uncertainty, even with Nelson. Why haven't we seen Kevin Zeitler yet? Who steps in while Sean Rhyan is injured?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rhyan is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. But once he's back, the Packers' starting five could look like this:
Assuming Zeitler is healthy and still able to play at a high level, which he did last season for the Tennessee Titans, the Packers would suddenly have an excellent 1-2 punch at guard. Rhyan's eventual return will also give the line a boost – he's been the least of Green Bay's problems and is PFF's 18th-ranked center in run blocking.
That's the kind of interior line that could finally help this Packers run game fight back. Jacobs is good enough to take advantage of that.
It would push Tomlinson into a reserve role, which is a shame because he's been reliable, but at least the Packers would have some much-needed depth.
They'd also have Mekhi Becton able to fill in at multiple positions. And, who knows, perhaps the Packers would consider experimenting with John Williams at tackle if either Jordan Morgan or Anthony Belton continued to struggle? Williams was forced to step in at center after the Packers lost Rhyan and Jacob Monk in Week 7, and considering the circumstances, he held up well.
How realistic is a Packers trade for Quenton Nelson?
It won't be easy. If the Colts open the door, the Packers will likely face tough competition for a deal. And that's assuming Indianapolis even entertains it.
There's a chance, though. In Schefter and Rapoport's report about the Packers' interest in Taylor, they also listed Nelson as a potential trade chip for the Colts. They didn't connect Nelson to any specific teams, but did note that his contract is a reason he could be available.
Nelson is in the final year of his deal, having been unable to negotiate an extension to this point.
The Colts made a blockbuster trade at last year's deadline to acquire Sauce Gardner. They were 7-2 at the time and believed Gardner would help them mount a Super Bowl challenge. However, they have fallen to a 3-12 record since then, and at 2-5 this season, they could be staring at a full rebuild.
Trading away a 30-year-old All-Pro with an expiring contract is one way to recoup some draft capital.
The Packers can't offer a first-round pick, having sent theirs to the Dallas Cowboys, but they could get creative, especially with a projected 11 selections in the 2027 NFL Draft. Given Nelson's contract status, could the Colts even expect first-round compensation? The acquiring team would also have to pay him.
It's fair to assume any conversation would start with at least a second-round pick plus other selections in a package. It won't be cheap, nor should it be when we're talking about an all-world talent.
But the Packers are desperate. Their run game is trending toward historically poor numbers. According to ESPN Research (via ESPN's Rob Demovsky), the Packers' 419 rushing yards are the second-fewest through seven games in the past 35 years.
Nelson can't fix the problem single-handedly, but he could make a far greater impact than adding another running back. Barry Sanders would struggle to run behind this offensive line.
Jacobs is more than capable of maximizing what his line gives him, which is why the Packers must get to the root of the problem and do whatever they can to improve the blocking.
If Nelson becomes available, that should be priority number one at the trade deadline.
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