They say fortune favors the bold. With 11 total picks in the upcoming draft and a fair amount of cap space, the Packers have an opportunity to address needs on their roster with high-level players. They can do that by being aggressive in the off-season by making trades and a few key signings. Looking at potential fits for Green Bay, there are three swings that the Packers need to take before the draft.
Three Swings the Packers Need to Take Before the Draft
Sign Saquon Barkley
The Packers offense turned a massive corner midway through the 2023 season. After struggling to put up points early in games, Green Bay’s offense found its rhythm and got hot down the stretch. That late-season surge had a lot to do with their ability to run the football. But their backfield will look different in 2024, with A.J. Dillon likely signing elsewhere in free agency.
Enter, Saquon Barkley. The Packers are not often aggressive in free agency, but given the rapid growth of their young team, they should be looking to find that one missing piece on offense. Barkley will undoubtedly be pursued by several teams. His price tag could easily exceed the Packers budget. Aaron Jones is also still playing at a high level. There are many reasons why a deal might not get done, but there are a few strong reasons why Barkley should be signed by Green Bay. He is the best running back on the open market. Barkley just turned 27. His skillset would fit the offense like a glove. Having Barkley and Jones available would keep them both fresh and, theoretically, healthier. Both have battled injuries, so this pairing would benefit both players. Offering Barkley a three-year contract is one swing the Packers need to take before the draft.
Package Picks
As mentioned above, the Packers will head into the NFL Draft with 11 total picks. Three of those picks are compensatory picks, which is a sign that the organization has a solid formula for drafting and developing players. Having found a future star in Dontayvion Wicks in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, there’s reason to want to keep all their picks and keep taking swings on prospects instead of veterans. But NFL teams are also feeling the effect of the NIL money and transfer portal that has seemingly changed the landscape of college football. Players who might be looking to cash out on an NFL contract after receiving a lesser draft grade are now faced with the decision to stay in school and make NIL money while they boost their draft stock.
This could lead to a more shallow draft pool of premier talent, which is why we are more likely to see teams try to trade up in the upcoming draft instead of moving back or staying put. That can make doing business more difficult for teams. But with a plethora of draft capital, the Packers have an opportunity to be aggressive and package picks to move up for a player they love. Mainly, Green Bay should be aggressive in moving their day-three picks as a way to receive multiple first-round selections. Brian Gutekunst did just that in 2019 when the team selected both Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage Jr. Gutekunst knows that the window for winning the NFC is open, so the time is now for him to be bold again and trade up in the draft.
Trade for L’Jarius Sneed
With too many big contracts to go around in Kansas City, L’Jarius Sneed is likely the odd man out. Sneed received the franchise tag from the Chiefs, but it is more likely he gets traded before the draft. Like Barkley, teams will be calling for Sneed. His price might exceed what the Packers are willing to pay, especially considering he will be likely looking for a big contract with his new team. But there has been uncertainty around Jaire Alexander’s future in Green Bay, and the team has a handful of pending free agents in the secondary. That means trading for Sneed is viable, and one of the swings the Packers should take before the draft.
New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley also noted that he wants physical players, and that summarizes Sneed. A team like Green Bay is best positioned to trade for Sneed since their first-round pick is at the end of the round, which means the price is justifiable. They also own two second-round picks, which they could package as part of the trade. With how deep the class is at cornerback, teams could be looking to hit the draft instead of going after a veteran like Sneed.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
