Are There Any Vets Packers Could Offload For Picks?
Could Packers Be In the Market For Trading Some Vets?
By Dan Saia
The Green Bay Packers are set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a smaller-than-usual haul of draft picks. They, of course, are heading into this draft without a first-round pick for the first time since 1986, thanks to the Micah Parsons trade. They have ended drafts without first-rounders before, but that was due to trade-backs (2008, 2017) to acquire more picks. Not having a first-round pick this year and next year ramps up the pressure to hit on other picks in the draft.
The best way to do that is to give yourself as many bites at the apple as possible. The Packers, as we speak, possess a pick in rounds 2–7, with the possibility of gaining some more compensatory picks once they are announced. They are currently projected to receive a 7th-round pick for both Josh Myers and Eric Wilson signing with the Jets and Vikings, respectively.
What if the Packers wanted to acquire even more picks? Without giving up draft capital to move up, maybe they would entertain trading some players for additional draft picks. It’s twofold as well. These players either have not lived up to heightened expectations, either as a starter or with an increased role on offense or defense, or they might be on an expiring contract with the likelihood that this is going to be their last year in Green Bay anyway.
Carrington Valentine-
Valentine finds himself in both categories mentioned above. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he didn’t quite live up to expectations when thrust into a starting role due to Nate Hobbs’ injury. Now, I find myself in the camp of someone who thinks Valentine receives some unnecessary criticism. This is a former 7th-round pick who has played much more than you could reasonably expect of someone drafted there, and he has played very well at times. Sometimes he looks like a high-end starting corner, like when he lined up against A.J. Brown for the majority of the Eagles matchup this year, and A.J. Brown walked out of that game with a total of 13 receiving yards. Other times, he looks like he’s never attempted a tackle before.
Ultimately, the Packers and Brian Gutekunst have basically stated they are going to be seeking upgrades in the secondary. Seeing how they have one of the best safety duos in football, all signs point to corner. If Nate Hobbs doesn’t get released, he is getting paid like a starter. Taking Javon Bullard out of the slot and off the field, where he played very well last year, doesn’t make a ton of sense, so Hobbs will likely be the starting outside corner opposite of Keisean Nixon. It should be noted that Valentine’s 2026 salary jumps up to $3.699 million, as this is the final year of his deal. Is there a team out there willing to part with a mid-round pick for a young corner with 19 career regular-season starts, plus 3 more in the playoffs, under his belt?
Karl Brooks-
Brooks finds himself in a similar position as Valentine. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his performance on the field has been widely inconsistent. After a rookie and sophomore season playing a backup interior pass-rushing role behind the likes of Kenny Clark and T.J. Slaton, he was asked to take on a bigger role and play more snaps, and he disappointed, as did the majority of the Packers’ defensive line. In 618 snaps, he finished with 28 tackles, a half sack, 1 pass defended, and 25 pressures. 2025 was the lowest-rated season of Brooks’ career, with just a 46.3 PFF grade.
Defensive line is one of, if not the biggest, needs for the Packers this offseason. Last year was marred by underperformance and injury up and down the line. If they spend real dollars to improve the talent at the top of the depth chart, they will need some cheap backups. Brooks making over $3.6 million to play a rotational role after last year’s performance isn’t going to be the solution. He also probably doesn’t figure into their long-term plans, with the long list of players requiring extensions. If they are going to give one to a rotational defensive lineman, it’s probably Colby Wooden, so Green Bay might be better off flipping him for a pick now.
Dontayvion Wicks-
I, for the record, would not trade Wicks. I think the more weapons the better, especially with some injury risks at the postion but if tempted with an offer, it could make some sense for Green Bay. Regardless of the fact they are going to lose Romeo Doubs in free agency, they will still have Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams who will need to see the field. Not to mention a returning Tucker Kraft, who established himself as a top target, and Josh Jacobs. With only one football to go around, Wicks finds himself expendable.
He, like Valentine and Brooks, was also a member of the 2023 draft class and is on an expiring contract. Unlike those two, however, Wicks finds himself in the position of entering a contract year at the same time as fellow wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. It’s unlikely for the Packers to extend all three of Wicks, Watson, and Reed and tie up significant money in a position like receiver, where more and more college players are coming in and contributing on Day 1. Reed is the better overall receiver and a better fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense, so out of the two, I would float Wicks out there and see what you can get in return.
-Dan Saia
Comments (18)
GreenandBold
March 05, 2026 at 04:11 pm
If they’re going to explore trading players “ who have not lived up to heightened expectations “ the roster would be decimated and the HC fired .
Since'75
March 06, 2026 at 06:48 pm
Funny 😲😁
Swisch
March 05, 2026 at 04:48 pm
With Golden and perhaps Watson as the key figures going forward, and wide receiver being a position of strength for the Packers, I think they could trade from that group to get a good cornerback or defensive lineman, which are positions of weakness.
I like what I saw from Savion Williams quite a bit as a rookie, although most of the good from him was other than catching passes. We do have him under contract for awhile, though.
That consideration of how many years is a guy under contract is a big part of the juggling for teams these days. Do they expect Williams to mature into a real wide receiver? Do they expect Wicks to be good enough for a second contract, and can they afford him? Same with Reed. If not, then maybe trade one of them now to get someone good in return, or solid draft picks.
What do the Packers think of their other wide receivers already on board? Can they step up as WR4-6, and fill in for injuries?
This is the challenge for a GM with the salary cap. I like keeping our guys as long as possible, but for the good of the team and all of the other players, as well as the fans, we can't always do that.
Try to keep the best as far as talent and performance and character. Reluctantly part with others, trying to get a good return. Treat everyone fairly, whether they stay or go. Juggle judiciously and justly.
Difficult and delicate, but in a way an intriguing challenge.
I'm truly wondering how other Packers fans rank our wide receivers, and who they might be willing to trade so as to improve other positions for the team.
stockholder
March 05, 2026 at 05:43 pm
I doubt they trade anyone.
They just re-worked Xavier McKinney.
And if there's one thing that Gute won't
do, is admit he was wrong about the OL.
So forget about anyone leaving, who isn't a Free Agent.
Good bye to the Walkers etc.
With that said.
ILB is now the need-
52 Josiah Trotter. ILB Missouri
(Testing and NFL family background)
84. Sam Roush TE Stanford -
(Thinking Ahead- Smart .Atletic)
120 Brian Parker. C. Duke
158 Drew Shelton OT. Penn State
(Most Versatile OL in draft)
200 Devon Eastern DT Minn
236. Latrell McCutchin CB Houston
254 Enrique Cruz JR OT Kansas
257. Marcus Allen jr CB NC
Yes- you should remember his dad.
Cheesey51
March 05, 2026 at 06:50 pm
I’m looking to unite Nakoba Dean with Jonathan gannon
dobber
March 06, 2026 at 07:45 am
My understanding is that Dallas has shown signs of pursuing Dean pretty hard. He's had a history of availability issues and is undersized for a middle.
brenner
March 05, 2026 at 11:35 pm
As for the corner room in general, it needs a triple dip like the safety room did and honestly, in a zone scheme maybe Hobbs is the one you keep... Should get a better offer for keisan than Valentine. After all, he's the "pro bowl" corner lol. I'd like to see Diggs back and thought I saw someone say check in with stokes. 2nd and 4th rds in the draft should have guys available.
Fine with dealing Brooks, might get a 6 for him. Wyatt,Riley,Brinson and Wooden if they don't draft one early in the draft.
I like Wicks, but sooner or later Williams will pass him on the depth chart because Wicks won't get jet sweeps. He's a solid blocker though. Then, in a couple years it will happen to Williams too.
marpag1
March 06, 2026 at 02:58 am
I'm not saying that either is likely, but I think it is more likely that the Packers trade Reed than Wicks. You're not getting much of anything for Wicks anyway so why bother. I don't think any team sees him as a potential legit #2, and even #3 is debatable. Reed may be a different story, and someone might actually decide to give something for him (although his one year remaining under contract makes that unlikely). And as one poster already said, #1 and #2 are going to be Watson and Golden, so how much would the Packers be willing to give Reed in a future contract if he has a ceiling as WR3?
I don't see any way that someone will give "a mid round pick" for Valentine, but honestly, I doubt it even matters. The Packers will keep both Valentine and Nixon regardless, A) because who else do they have, and B) because even though they are not great frontline corners, they are decent values in comparison to their smallish contracts. If the Packers are going to improve at CB, they will have to find a top-line corner who will bump the Nixons and Valentines of the roster down a notch, where they more properly belong.
Again, I don't see anyone giving up anything of appreciable value for Karl Brooks.
Cheezehead72
March 06, 2026 at 06:36 am
Of these three players I would be surprised if we could get anything better than a late 5th round pick. The Packers are an average team. To fix that Gute went out and mortgaged the salary cap and gave up 2 first round picks for one player that ended up getting put on IR.
Now we are talking about trying to get more draft picks. The best thing the Packers can do is unload our underperforming players that cost too much and build the team they can without kicking the salary cap issues down the road. But I see that they already started to make future years worse by restructuring XMs contract.
Sit back and enjoy watching the Packers have an average team.
dobber
March 06, 2026 at 07:48 am
"Now we are talking about trying to get more draft picks. "
Take a look around--there's been a flurry of players for picks moves the last few days trying to get something for players that either will need to be let go for cap space or just don't figure prominently into teams future plans. The three players listed above underwhelmed in '25 and are entering the last years of their deals.
Cheezehead72
March 06, 2026 at 08:05 am
Don't get me wrong it is Gute's job to consider any trade offers even if it is for Parsons or Love.
But the article mentions three players that we would get a mid to late 3rd day draft pick for at the most. Is it better to keep under preforming players that know your system and you know them and try to make them better or draft a long shot player late in the draft.
I'm not even sure we could trade any of these guys for 5 lbs of cheese curds.
WestCoastPackerBacker
March 06, 2026 at 09:46 am
Yeah who is gonna want Brooks or Valentine? There’s a lot better players hitting the market that wouldn’t cost a pick. And they just aren’t that good. Maybe a 7th? If that.
dobber
March 06, 2026 at 10:06 am
Biadasz to San Diego, 3y, $30M. That would've been too rich for the Packers' blood.
WestCoastPackerBacker
March 06, 2026 at 03:36 pm
Agree. They can’t afford that. There witnesses cheaper options without a huge drop off in play.
dobber
March 06, 2026 at 03:48 pm
The Vikes lost their center to retirement today, also, which will drive up bidding on the market.
ricky
March 06, 2026 at 10:42 am
Wicks should be kept as insurance. Reed and Watson have injury histories, especially Watson. Also, moving Hobbs to the outside last season simply didn't work. Which is why the team had Valentine start. If it didn't work last year, why should it work this year?
Meanwhile, this draft is supposed to be heavily stocked with DL and edge rushers. As far as OL, the team has shown the ability to find starters in the fourth round in particular.
GregC
March 06, 2026 at 01:35 pm
There may still be a sliver of hope for Hobbs at outside CB. He seemed to be off to a good start in training camp, then he got hurt and missed the rest of camp. He was in and out of the lineup during the season. Possibly he could play outside CB if he stays healthy. We'll find out soon if the team thinks he's worth keeping.
GregC
March 06, 2026 at 01:26 pm
Two of the three players mentioned here are at positions of high need. Also, none of these players would be likely to get them anything more than a 6th round draft pick in return. I'm saying no to trading any of them.