NFL draft insider reveals Packers first-round target after Aaron Rodgers trade
The Green Bay Packers fleeced the New York Jets in the Aaron Rodgers trade.
Not only did the Packers land a 2024 conditional pick that has a great chance of ending up a first-rounder, but they also improved their draft position by swapping Day 1 selections.
Green Bay moves up two spots in the first round to No. 13, and that could be significant. The Packers jump ahead of the Jets and New England Patriots, giving them a tremendous opportunity.
The Packers find themselves in an excellent draft position. They are scheduled to pick at No. 13 in the first round, then twice in the top half of the second round with the No. 42 and No. 45 selections.
And the first-round swap with the Jets could help the Packers land a star wide receiver.
Packers Rumors: NFL draft insider reveals potential first-round target
According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Packers hope the move to No. 13 will help them land Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Number of people tell me the move from 15 to 13 for Green Bay is the hopes it will be easier to secure Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 24, 2023
That's significant.
Smith-Njigba is the best wide receiver in the draft class and checks every box for the Packers. He would be a game-changing addition to Matt LaFleur's offense and the perfect complement to Christian Watson.
The Packers hoping the No. 13 pick makes it "easier to secure" Smith-Njigba doesn't necessarily mean him falling to their pick. It could mean that it makes it easier to trade up for the Ohio State star. After all, it's more affordable to trade up from No. 13 than No. 15.
It's an encouraging sign. Smith-Njigba is everything the Packers need at wide receiver. Put him in the same offense as Watson and Romeo Doubs, and Green Bay would have one of the most exciting young receiving trios in football.
And wouldn't it just be ironic that the Packers use the pick they received in the Aaron Rodgers trade to finally draft a first-round wide receiver?
Smith-Njigba to the Packers would be a home run. The Aaron Rodgers trade increases the possibility they will be able to draft him.
Next. Updated Packers mock draft after Aaron Rodgers traded to Jets. dark