Packers rumors: Green Bay’s draft plans include another trade

The Green Bay Packers are going into their first NFL Draft in nearly 20 years without Aaron Rodgers and the rumors of their plans are eyebrow-raising.

Things are going to feel quite different in Green Bay when the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers is now a member of the New York Jets and the Packers now have to draft for a young, unproven quarterback in Jordan Love rather than a future Hall of Famer.

Many fans and analysts, some more in jest than others, have talked about the possibility of the Packers taking a not-so-subtle dig at their now-former quarterback by taking a pass-catcher in the first round of the 2023 draft. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been a popular name in that regard, as have the top tight ends in the class, Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid.

And that very well might be the plan in terms of who Green Bay selects in the first round — but not before a trade.

According to SI NFL insider Albert Breer, the Packers are among the teams who are looking to trade down in the first round, this after they moved up two spots in the Rodgers trade, as the belief is that Mayer or Kincaid would be rich for the 13th overall pick.

Packers rumors: Green Bay could trade down for Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid

Either Mayer or Kincaid would represent adding a much-needed weapon for the Packers offense. They have one tight end on the roster of consequence, Josiah Deguara, and only Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs that they have any real confidence in at receiver.

Having said that, Green Bay trading down and acquiring more draft capital would put them in a great position. They would surely be able to move down to the bottom of the Top 20 (or even a bit lower) and get one of either Mayer or Kincaid, then have even more Day 2 picks to target more pass-catchers as several receivers are likely to fall into that range despite being potenital immediate contributors.

Trading down always sounds easier in theory than in practice, so we’ll have to see if the Packers are able to find a dancing partner for this deal. But without question, it makes sense as to why they’re interested in doing so.