The Packers were thought to be one of the NFC’s best teams to begin the 2022 NFL season. Through four weeks, it looked like they were on be just that.
Green Bay posted a 3-1 record in its first four games of the season. The offense wasn’t exactly humming, but the team’s running game, defense and efficient performance of Aaron Rodgers gave them a 3-1 record and put them in the mix for the top spot in the NFC North.
However, since that fast start, the Packers have lost three consecutive games. They have fallen to 3-4 and their offense has sputtered badly. That has led to some major questions about just how much the team misses Davante Adams and whether Rodgers is fully healthy.
Still, it’s early in the season, and per usual, Rodgers is asking Packers fans to be patient and relax. Even still, the Packers probably have to do something to ensure that they don’t slip too far behind in the playoff race, especially with a tough matchup against the Bills looming.
As such, the Packers may need to add reinforcements, especially on the offensive side of the ball. And they will have to do so before the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline.
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Who could the Packers trade for in 2022, and at which positions do they need help? Below is a breakdown of Green Bay’s top trade targets as the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaches.
Packers’ 2022 NFL trade deadline needs
The Packers have a handful of needs as the 2022 NFL trade deadline arrives. Most come on the offensive side of the ball, so they will likely focus their efforts on acquiring top talent there — if they make any moves.
- Wide receiver: The departure of Davante Adams has caused major regression within Green Bay’s offense. The receiving corps hasn’t seen a true No. 1 receiver emerge while some of its top options have been injured, so Green Bay may look for an outside receiver in what could be a robust market at the position.
- Tight end: Robert Tonyan is a solid tight end, but he is averaging a career-low 8.4 yards per catch and the team doesn’t have much pass-catching talent behind him. Adding a top-tier tight end, or one with upside, may improve Green Bay’s offense just as much as a big addition at wide receiver.
- Offensive tackle: David Bakhtiari is still dealing with the after-effects of a torn ACL in 2020, and he hasn’t been able to stay on the field as a result. The Packers don’t have a lot of proven depth at tackle with Elgton Jenkins moving back to guard, so adding a veteran insurance policy would be a smart move.
- Defensive tackle: The Packers’ defense is in pretty good shape from a personnel standpoint, but they allow the sixth-most rushing yards per game (139.6). Adding a run-stuffer to play alongside Kenny Clark would help them improve in that area.
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Packers trade deadline targets
Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers
The Packers have been tied to Claypool as the 2022 NFL trade deadline approaches. It makes sense, as the team has a need at the receiver position while Claypool seems to have fallen to No. 3 on the Steelers’ receiver depth chart as George Pickens continues his rookie rise.
Claypool’s output has fallen off in 2022 after two, 860-plus-yard seasons to begin his career. He is on pace for 68 catches, 646 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers aren’t bad, but they won’t make the Steelers want to extend the receiver. He isn’t a free agent until 2024, but he is contract extension eligible this offseason.
As such, trading Claypool for an asset now could prove most beneficial to the rebuilding Steelers. Meanwhile, the Packers would get a potential playmaker on the outside who many presumed had been in consideration with the Packers’ first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Green Bay ended up taking Jordan Love instead of someone like Claypool or Tee Higgins. That has looked like a mistake to date.
MORE: What’s wrong with Aaron Rodgers? Packers offense struggles in loss vs. Commanders
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
Jeudy is another 2020 NFL Draft prospect that the Packers could target. He was the 15th overall pick by the Broncos but hasn’t quite lived up to expectations thus far. He has just five career touchdowns in 33 games played and has struggled at times with drops.
That said, Jeudy has averaged 15 yards per reception during his career, meaning he is a more-than-respectable deep threat. That’s something that would open up opportunities in the passing game with Aaron Rodgers.
Also, Jeudy is still young. He’s only 23, so there is plenty of time for him to improve, and he is cost-controlled for two years thanks to the fifth-year option on his contract. So, if the Packers want to swing big, Jeudy could be their guy.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans
If the Packers want a more proven option at the receiver spot, Cooks could fit the bill. 29-year-old has six seasons with at least 1,000 yards during his career, and he has had 1,000-yard seasons with four different teams.
Cooks has produced regardless of who has been his quarterback. As such, it’s logical to expect that the speedster would do the same working with Rodgers.
The only holdup with acquiring Cooks is that he is due a base salary of $18 million next year, per Spotrac.com. That may not be a price that the Packers are willing — or able — to pay.
Elijah Moore, WR, Jets
Getting back to the younger route, Moore would be another high-upside swing that could pan out. Moore was dynamic during the second half of his rookie season with the Jets, but that hasn’t carried over to the 2022 NFL season.
Still, Moore is 22 and profiles as an explosive slot weapon at 5-10, 178 pounds. That’s something that the Jets don’t have, as Randall Cobb is past his prime and banged-up while Amari Rodgers hasn’t yet developed.
The Jets have been reluctant to trade Moore, who asked to be dealt, but maybe their tune will change if the Packers come in with a big offer.
Denzel Mims, WR, Jets
More likely, the Packers would look elsewhere if the Jets are that reluctant to move Moore. His teammate Mims has also requested a trade, and Mims is another 2020 receiver prospect that had a chance to impress the Packers.
Mims ran a 4.38 at the 2020 NFL Combine despite measuring at 6-3, 207 pounds. He has played only sparingly, recording just 32 catches for 494 yards during his career, but he has good body control and the potential to be a starter. Perhaps a change of scenery could do him well, and Green Bay can certainly offer him an opportunity to earn playing time.
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Curtis Samuel, WR, Commanders
Is it clear that the Packers need receiver help by now? Samuel represents a more under-the-radar option for the team, as he has played well this season in Washington. If the Commanders (3-4) drop a game in Week 8, however, they could consider dealing the free-agent-to-be.
Samuel has 39 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns this season. He also has run the ball 13 times for 77 yards. The Packers could use that versatility to get the ball out of Rodgers’ hands quickly and into the hands of a shifty playmaker.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
Maybe the solution to the Packers’ issue won’t be at receiver. The team could stand to add a talented tight end and run more two-man sets with that player and Robert Tonyan, who is a solid player at the position.
Gesicki doesn’t block particularly well, but he has averaged 60 catches, 695 yards and five touchdowns per 17 games played since the start of the 2019 NFL season. He could become a top-tier, middle-of-the-field receiver for Rodgers and would open up some space in which the running backs can operate.
The Packers would have to sign Gesicki to a long-term deal to make this worthwhile, but given that tight ends are cheaper than receivers, they may be willing to do that.
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Broncos
Of course, Green Bay could take a cheaper route with upside to get a tight end. Okwuegbunam entered the season with a lot of buzz, but the third-year tight end has fallen out of favor in Denver. He has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks and may not get another shot to start with rookie Greg Dulcich looking good at the position.
The Packers could take a flier on the man known as “Albert O” and see if they can coax out the potential of the 6-5, 258-pound tight end. He had 33 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns as a rotational player in 2021, so even if he just produces at that clip, that would be a welcome addition for Green Bay’s offense.
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Isaiah Wynn, OT, Patriots
Given Bakhtiari’s injury issues, it makes sense for the Packers to target someone to improve their inexperienced tackle depth. Wynn would qualify, though he comes with health issues that are similar to those of Bakhtiari.
Wynn has started 39 games over the course of his five-year NFL career. The 6-2, 310-pound blocker has been up-and-down at times and in and out of the lineup due to troublesome knee and performance issues, but he has also been a very good starter at times while in the NFL.
If Wynn is healthy, he would be a great swing tackle option for the Packers. He has experience playing both sides of the line but is more comfortable on the left side. Teams have reportedly been calling the Patriots about him, and it would hardly surprise if the Packers were among those doing so.
Mike Purcell, DT, Broncos
The Packers have the personnel needed to field a successful defense. They just haven’t done so consistently throughout the season.
That said, they do have a weakness against the run. They allow the sixth-most rushing yards per game, so it would behoove the team to add another bona fide run stuffer to their line.
Purcell has the second-highest run defense grade among defensive tackles this year, per Pro Football Focus. The 31-year-old has 22 tackles and a career-high 1.5 sacks thus far and should continue to be a solid role player. The Broncos may not need him, so perhaps the Packers can get him on the cheap.
