Twelve months ago, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst caught everyone off guard by trading a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Malik Willis. Nobody expected it, but the move saved the Packers' season.
With the preseason in the books, Gutekunst may need to spend some time at the negotiating table again, this time for offensive line depth.
Former first-round pick Evan Neal is a player to watch. Eric Edholm of NFL.com listed Neal as a potential trade candidate before the roster cutdown deadline, and the Packers should consider a move. Neal has played tackle in the NFL but will likely move to guard, which is where he could help Green Bay. Gutekunst, you know what to do.
Packers trade for Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal in final 53-man roster prediction
It would be a low-risk move for the Packers. Neal is a former first-round pick, and while it hasn't worked out for him in New York at the tackle position, a shift to guard could help him. The Packers know how to develop offensive linemen, so it's well worth taking a high-upside swing for only a seventh-round pick.
How would trading for Neal impact the 53-man roster? Let's make one final prediction before Tuesday's cutdown deadline.
Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Malik Willis
Jordan Love made it clear that he will be ready for Week 1. That's the focus between now and then.
Neither Taylor Elgersma nor Sean Clifford did enough to clinch a roster spot, but the Packers will likely bring one of them back on the practice squad. Elgersma is nowhere near ready for regular-season action, but he offers more long-term upside and should be the choice if he clears waivers.
Running backs (3): Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, Emanuel Wilson
Injured reserve: MarShawn Lloyd
With MarShawn Lloyd expected to miss some time, the Packers can run it back with last year's top three at the position. Lloyd is an injured reserve candidate, giving him plenty of time to recover from a hamstring injury.
Chris Brooks is a roster lock and offers more than Emanuel Wilson as a blocker, but Wilson is a more-than-capable backup to Josh Jacobs, as he proved last season.
Wide receivers (5): Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams
PUP: Christian Watson
Only five receivers make the cut, with Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman missing out. Christian Watson will begin on the PUP list, ruling him out for a minimum of four games, although Gutekunst hinted that his return may not come too long after that.
Health is the key. Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams remain sidelined with injuries, although they could all return before Week 1. It's something to watch.
Tight ends (3): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick
Luke Musgrave quietly turned heads this summer, an encouraging sign that he can form a scary 1-2 tight end punch alongside rising star Tucker Kraft. John FitzPatrick has the slight edge over Ben Sims for the TE3 job, although the Packers may find room to keep both.
Offensive line (10): Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Evan Neal, Donovan Jennings, Kadeem Telfort
Injured reserve: Travis Glover; PUP: John Williams
This, of course, factors in our Evan Neal trade. The veteran would replace second-year Jacob Monk, who put in two disastrous preseason performances before missing the finale due to injury. Green Bay may have no choice but to move on from its 2024 fifth-round pick.
Neal has a lot to prove, but a shift to guard could help him. Add in his experience at tackle, and he can provide some solid depth at various positions.
Defensive tackles (6): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse
Undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse is less of a roster lock than it initially seemed, but there's still a lot to like about his potential as an early-down run-stopper. Stackhouse won't regularly wow as a pass-rusher, but he has shown why he was such a valuable run defender for Georgia. His only path to the 53 is if the Packers keep six interior linemen, and they should.
Defensive ends (5): Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr.
PUP: Collin Oliver
Rookie Collin Oliver is destined for the PUP list after sitting out all of training camp due to injury. It's unclear whether Barryn Sorrell will need a stint on injured reserve while he recovers from a knee injury.
Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness will start, with Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. providing solid cover. Sorrell will be an exciting addition to this group once he's healthy. Hopefully, he avoids IR and begins the season on the initial 53.
Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons
Ty'Ron Hopper looked like the real deal in the preseason. Don't be surprised if his role on defense increases as the year goes on. The final spot comes down to Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch.
Simmons tumbled down the depth chart in the opening two exhibition contests but bounced back nicely on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. Importantly, he made some plays on special teams, and that may give him the edge over Welch.
Cornerbacks (6): Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Corey Ballentine, Kalen King
Imagine saying six months ago that wide receiver Bo Melton would enter the season as the Packers' CB4. Yet here we are, and he's earned it. Corey Ballentine is hardly a roster lock after a quiet return to the team, but his experience and special teams value help.
Kalen King is the story of the preseason. He stepped up big across the three games, particularly in the finale on Saturday, to take a giant leap toward the 53-man roster. King recovered a fumble and made an outstanding tackle for no gain on quarterback Jalen Milroe on 2nd-and-goal. King may have punched his ticket to the roster.
Safeties (5): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo
No changes or surprises here. The only question is whether Zayne Anderson can recover in time for Week 1, or whether his injury will force him out for multiple weeks. In that case, a stint on injured reserve may be necessary.
Specialists (3): Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech
It sure feels nice having nothing to say in this section. It's a refreshing change from a year ago when Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph spent months battling for the kicking job (and neither got the job). Brandon McManus capped off an outstanding summer by converting both kicks against the Seahawks, including a 52-yarder.