The Green Bay Packers' run game is a problem. A move or two before the trade deadline could help.
Making a deal for All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson would've made all the sense in the world, but that ship has sailed. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Packers were among the interested teams, but he is instead Seattle-bound for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. A bargain.
Unfortunately, the Packers are unlikely to find an available offensive lineman that talented before the deadline, but that doesn't mean they can't make steps toward fixing the NFL's worst-ranked rushing offense.
Four trade targets come to mind.
4. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Buccaneers
Strengthening the offensive line feels like a must, but the Packers could also explore options at running back. After all, Josh Jacobs could still face a suspension from the league, and the team lacks depth behind him.
MarShawn Lloyd is averaging 2.6 yards per carry. Kaleb Johnson has fumbled twice and was a healthy scratch in Week 7. Yeah, it's fair to call running back a need.
That's where Kenneth Gainwell could help. It's unclear whether the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are open for business or if they're clinging to hope of salvaging their season. They sit at 2-5, which typically means you're doomed, but they're somehow still alive in a woeful NFC South.
Still, if the Buccaneers consider offers, Gainwell would be a massive upgrade at the RB2 spot in Green Bay.
Talk about a running back built for Matt LaFleur's offense. Gainwell is an excellent pass-catcher and could thrive in a change-of-pace role behind Jacobs.
Last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gainwell turned 114 carries into 537 yards and five touchdowns at 4.7 yards per attempt, while catching 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns.
Life hasn't been easy for the Buccaneers offense in 2026, but in Baker Mayfield's first game back from injury in Week 7, Gainwell delivered a season-high 88 rushing yards on just 14 attempts, an impressive 6.3-yard-per-carry average.
The Buccaneers may still believe they can make the playoffs, but even so, with Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker giving them a strong 1-2 punch, Gainwell could make sense as a trade chip. And that should be music to the Packers' ears.
3. Landon Dickerson, G, Eagles
There's potentially a rare opportunity to take advantage of a struggling Eagles team at the trade deadline. Howie Roseman is typically a buyer, not a seller, but Philadelphia is 2-5, hit hard by injuries, and potentially looking to recoup draft capital to ensure it bounces back next year.
Landon Dickerson is an interesting name to watch. The 28-year-old has an outstanding track record, with three Pro Bowls on his resume while playing a pivotal role in the Eagles' Super Bowl triumph two seasons ago.
The issue is health.
Dickerson has only recently returned from a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve in September. He suffered ACL tears in both knees in college. In 2025, the veteran required meniscus surgery, and he's also dealt with back issues.
When healthy, though, there's no denying Dickerson's ability. Rewind only two seasons, and he was Pro Football Focus' No. 9-ranked guard – his run-blocking grade ranked eighth, and his pass-blocking grade ranked 15th.
The question is what Dickerson's arrival would mean for Laken Tomlinson, who has made a solid start in Green Bay. Dickerson has played almost exclusively at left guard for the Eagles, though he has some experience at right guard and center, particularly in college. Perhaps he could take over the center duties during Sean Rhyan's absence.
It's not a bad problem to have, though. Dickerson would immediately become the Packers' best offensive lineman. He'd offer a ton of experience and a resume filled with high-level play. The veteran is an excellent run blocker and could help give life to the league's worst rushing attack.
His injury history is concerning, but it's a risk the Packers might need to take.
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, Raiders
Two years ago, Jackson Powers-Johnson made the PFWA All-Rookie Team and looked like a steal as a second-round draft choice. Now, it appears he has fallen out of favor in Las Vegas.
Powers-Johnson has 25 career starts for the Raiders but has been relegated to the bench for the past two weeks. His performances have undoubtedly played a part, but it's fair to wonder whether he's simply being played out of position at right guard.
While Powers-Johnson played all three interior positions at Oregon, he took his play to another level at center in 2023. It's what helped make him a second-round pick. It isn't surprising, then, that his rookie season with the Raiders was his best, when he spent 44 percent of his snaps at center and 53 percent at left guard. He only played 29 snaps at right guard.
The Packers need help at center. Sean Rhyan is likely out for at least a month, while backup Jacob Monk is on injured reserve.
Powers-Johnson's path to the Raiders' center job is blocked, as they handed Tyler Linderbaum $81 million in free agency. It's unclear if he even has a home in the starting five moving forward.
Though it clearly hasn't worked out as the Raiders hoped when they selected Powers-Johnson with the 44th overall pick two years ago, we're still talking about a versatile lineman who has allowed only four sacks on 993 career pass-block snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
"Anyone who has read our work over the years knows that we are big fans of Powers-Johnson," writes Levi Dombro of Just Blog Baby. "He moves incredibly well for his size and plays with a violent, nasty streak that a lot of modern linemen don't have. From a pure talent perspective, he rivals Kolton Miller and Tyler Linderbaum, truly."
And he's arguably spent most of his NFL career not playing at his best position.
If the Raiders' decision to bench Powers-Johnson signals they're open to trade offers, the Packers should pick up the phone. He could start at center immediately while offering the versatility to play either guard spot.
1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
With Quenton Nelson no longer available, Jonathan Taylor moves to the top of the board.
Addressing the offensive line is the best way to fix the run game, but it sure wouldn't hurt to add one of the NFL's most explosive running backs in Jonathan Taylor. I'd argue it wouldn't solve the primary problem, as he'd have to deal with arguably the league's worst run-blocking line, but if anyone can make it work, it's Taylor.
And the interest is real. According to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, the Packers are among the interested teams in Taylor.
The former Wisconsin Badger has turned 140 carries into 587 yards and a league-best eight touchdowns this season, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He's single-handedly outpacing the Packers' entire rushing attack, which has 144 carries for 419 yards and three touchdowns at 2.9 yards per attempt.
In 2025, Taylor led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns, while adding two more as a receiver. He finished the season with 1,963 all-purpose yards.
If the Packers were going to make a big-time move for a Colts player, it should've been Nelson. But you certainly won't hear any complaints if they can somehow bring Taylor back to Wisconsin.
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