Alontae Taylor, Ja'Quan McMillian, and even Rasul Douglas are among the many speculated trade candidates for the Green Bay Packers. But they could go even bigger than that.
The Packers needed to find a cornerback upgrade in the offseason. And the offseason before that. It's nothing new. Nate Hobbs hasn't provided the answers, as proven by his astonishing Week 8 benching.
But it sounds like the Packers understand the problem. None of the aforementioned trade candidates jump off the page, but there's a name we might need to start paying attention to: Denzel Ward.
According to Easton Butler of Packer Report, the Packers have "continued to make calls" at the cornerback position, and Ward is by far the most notable name he mentioned. Butler reports that the Packers have called the Cleveland Browns this week about Ward.
Denzel Ward rumor offers a glimmer of hope at another surprise blockbuster Packers trade
Butler also named the New Orleans Saints' Alontae Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals' Cam Taylor-Britt as targets, but Ward is the player who stands out on that list.
It remains a long shot, and Butler is only reporting that the Packers called the Browns. They likely aren't the only team, and it in no way guarantees a deal. But it does show Green Bay views it as a position of need and is actively looking for reinforcements before the November 4 deadline.
The Browns likely won't part ways with Ward cheaply, and the Packers don't have first-round picks in either of their next two drafts. Would they consider trading a second-rounder and leaving themselves short of two premium selections next April?
Ward is worth it. You're unlikely to find a cornerback as talented as the four-time Pro Bowler in the second round.
From Cleveland's perspective, it is a 2-6 team, still in need of a rebuild, and Ward is 28 years old. Trading him for draft picks would make some sense, even if it means moving on from one of their better players and finding a way to absorb steep dead cap hits.
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Cleveland selected Ward No. 4 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, the same round Green Bay landed Jaire Alexander. He has spent his entire career in Cleveland, making exactly 100 pass defenses and 18 interceptions. Ward recorded double-digit pass defenses in all seven seasons before this one, and last year, he led the league with 19.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ward has allowed only 55 percent of passes in his coverage to be completed in his entire career, along with 24 touchdowns to go with 18 interceptions and a pedestrian 77.8 passer rating. It's what makes him a multi-time Pro Bowler.
Ward could immediately start at outside corner for the Packers, ideally alongside Carrington Valentine, and give the Packers the upgrade they need. He gets his hands on the football and can create turnovers, something this defense desperately needs.
The Browns likely won't want to trade him unless the offer is too good to refuse. Green Bay would also face competition, but the team's rumored interest offers promise, and it's a move they should push for.
Ward could be the missing piece in a championship defense.