ESPN proposes two genius trades for Packers in 2023 NFL Draft

Few teams enjoy trading on draft day more than the Green Bay Packers under general manager Brian Gutekunst.

In Gutekunst's five draft classes as GM, he has traded up three times and traded down once in the first round alone.

He's willing to make a bold deal to land a prospect he feels is worth it. Gutekunst sent two second-rounders to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings to get Christian Watson last year. Based on Watson's rookie year, it was a smart call.

The Packers currently hold the 15th selection in the first round, but Gutekunst's track record tells us they may not actually make their pick there.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell put together a fascinating article, creating trade proposals for every pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Barnwell has two genius trade proposals for the Packers, including a deal with the New York Jets for Aaron Rodgers. Let's break down the two trades.

ESPN proposes two genius draft-day trades for Packers

Three-team trade that sends Aaron Rodgers to Jets

We created our own three-team Aaron Rodgers trade involving the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers that suits everyone involved. Barnwell's three-team trade is genius.

Barnwell includes the Seattle Seahawks, and their involvement helps get the Rodgers deal done. It's a perfect compromise between the Packers and Jets, and Seattle also benefits.

It's a complicated three-way trade involving a bunch of picks, but here's the important part for the Packers: Green Bay gives up its picks in the second and third rounds this year, but receives the Jets' first-rounder and a conditional pick in 2024 -- a third-rounder that can become a second.

The Packers wouldn't own picks in the second or third rounds, but they would hold the No. 13 and No. 15 selections. Either Green Bay lands two prospects in the top 15, or can trade down for additional value.

Packers trade down with Cowboys

This trade is a straightforward swap between two teams. The Dallas Cowboys move up for Texas running back Bijan Robinson, sending a first, second, and a 2025 fifth to Green Bay.

It would be a dream deal for the Packers. They move down 11 spots, but would still have a chance to select a top prospect at No. 26. In return, they land the No. 58 pick. There is so much Day 2 value in this draft -- Green Bay could use it to select a wide receiver or tight end.

If the Packers miss out on Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy, or one of the top tackles like Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. or Georgia's Broderick Jones, they should consider trading down.

A deal that sees the Packers land a second-rounder like this one would be a genius move by Brian Gutekunst.