4 early trade targets to bolster the Packers roster before deadline

The NFL trade deadline typically comes and goes with a lot of big names getting floated out there on the rumor mill and not a lot of actual player movement. You never know what's going to happen in a given year, though, and when teams are motivated to make deals, anything is possible. Could the Green Bay Packers be motivated to make some deals to push them over the top in an extremely competitive NFC North?

The Packers have their franchise quarterback locked in. They have a plethora of young talent all over the roster. It might not be the worst idea if they can find some help for this year's roster at a decent price before the NFL trade deadline, but what players could make sense?

A Davante Adams reunion might be unlikely, but let's take a look at a handful of trade targets that Packers GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur need to keep their eyes on.

Realistic targets for the Packers before the 2024 trade deadline

1. Devin White, LB, Eagles

Former first-round pick Devin White has fallen completely out of favor with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who let him walk in free agency this offseason) and the Philadelphia Eagles (who signed him to a one-year deal worth $4 million in free agency). The situation surrounding White is a very odd one because, at one point, he looked like he was well on his way to being one of the more dominant all-around linebackers in the league.

For whatever reason, White has not been active yet this season and doesn't appear to be in the plans for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. But he could potentially help the Packers, and it wouldn't cost a ton of capital or cap space to acquire him.

If the Packers want to take a shot on a former top-10 NFL Draft pick and see if they can make it work with him, now might be the time.

2. Haason Reddick, EDGE, Jets

Speaking of former first-round picks who are not playing for their new teams, former Eagles pass rusher and current New York Jets holdout Haason Reddick has found a hill to die on this offseason. Reddick wanted a trade away from Philadelphia to get onto a team that would actually pay him, and he obviously thought the Jets were going to do just that.

But that hasn't happened, and Reddick hasn't shown up to play for them. He's drawn a line in the sand, which means that any trade to acquire Reddick may come with the caveat that he needs to be paid. And that may prevent the Packers from having genuine interest, but you can't have too many good pass rushers in today's NFL. The Packers might be willing to shell out the cash for the versatile Reddick, who can play off the edge or off the ball and give you a bunch of QB hits and pressures.

Rashan Gary has been struggling to start this season, and adding someone like Reddick could really jump-start that entire Packers pass rush unit.

3. James Bradberry, CB, Eagles

If the Packers are looking to go after someone in the clearance section at the cornerback position, James Bradberry might be the ticket.

Bradberry is coming off of an atrocious year with the Eagles last season in which he gave up an astounding 11 touchdowns. That's not the greatest advertisement to trade for him, but there are a couple of reasons why you might make this move.

First of all, Bradberry does have a history of top-tier production at the position and it wasn't that long ago. Second of all, you never know when guys are going to get into new situations and thrive, even if it's only for a limited amount of time. He could turn it around with a trade to Green Bay, and the Packers may only need to do a late-round pick swap to get him.

4. Damarri Mathis, CB, Broncos

The idea of acquiring Damarri Mathis from the Denver Broncos might require a little bit more from the Packers in terms of draft compensation, but there is no clear path for Mathis to get playing time in Denver barring injury right now. Pat Surtain II is the best corner in the game, and the Broncos have two other young players emerging in the lineup in Riley Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian.

Mathis is coming off of injured reserve this week for Denver and was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Packers could get a cost-effective, young player for perhaps a later-round draft pick and see if they can develop him under Jeff Hafley.

More Packers news and analysis