What players should the Packers trade for?
With the 2024 NFL offseason approaching, the Green Bay Packers are preparing to strengthen their roster for a more successful season ahead. After finishing the 2023 season with a 9-8 record and winning a playoff spot, the Packers are eager to address key areas for growth in order to make a deeper playoff run.
The team’s primary goal is to strengthen its defense, with a special emphasis on the secondary and defensive line. Here, we’ll look at two standout players the Packers should target in the upcoming offseason to boost their roster for the 2024 season.
Packers’ 2023 Season
Entering the season with the league’s youngest team, the Packers’ supporters were filled with excitement. Nonetheless, questions remained regarding Jordan Love’s ability to lead the club as the starting quarterback and handle the expectations that came with the position. Despite exceeding expectations, the season presented its fair share of obstacles. Injuries affected both sides of the ball. A difficult start and a quick four-game losing skid made for a stressful season for Packers supporters. Though the outcome was not perfect, securing the seventh seed in the playoffs provided a ray of hope amidst the disappointments.
Offseason Considerations:
As the offseason approaches, the Packers’ major contributors are set to enter free agency. Notably, guard Jon Runyan emerges as a key figure. Safety Jonathan Owens, too, deserves attention. Given the roster’s youth and contractual responsibilities, retaining the core should be relatively easy. As a result, decisions on future veteran cuts are looming. With a projected cap space of $8.4 million, tough decisions are ahead. This is especially true for guys like offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, who has a high cap charge. General Manager Gutekunst may use releases or contract restructure to free up finances and maintain the team’s youthful foundation. The Packers may express interest in top-tier players with expiring contracts in the trade market.
Here, we’ll look at the two greatest players the Green Bay Packers should trade for during the 2024 NFL offseason.
Trade up to draft. Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OL)
In order to develop around Jordan Love for the long term, the Packers must strengthen their offensive line. While acquiring experienced lineman through trades may provide immediate relief, focusing on players with expiring contracts may be a more cost-effective solution. Furthermore, investigating the idea of trading up in the draft to obtain a promising young offensive line prospect appears to be a worthwhile strategic move.
Imagine the excitement if the Packers were to pull off a draft-day trade. They could even trade the New York Jets’ 2024 second-round pick to them. While this alone may not propel Green Bay into the top 10, combining further picks with Rodgers’ old preferred tackle could help.
The possibility of the Packers making a major jump up the board in Round 1 is exciting. This is especially true given the opportunity to sign an exceptional tackle like Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu.
Nothing would be more beneficial to the Packers than acquiring an offensive-line cornerstone with top potential. Yes, the cost of stepping up would be significant. However, the investment could pay off by protecting Love for the foreseeable future.
Jonathan Allen, DT.
As the Washington Commanders strive to rebuild their lineup, there is a clear need to increase their resources. Shedding veteran contracts to increase salary cap flexibility and acquire additional draft assets is high on their priority list. As a result, Jonathan Allen, the team’s standout defensive tackle, may find himself on the trading block after seven seasons with the franchise.
Allen has significant trading value. In 2021-22, he was selected to the Pro Bowl on consecutive occasions. Despite having his lowest sack total since 2020 (5.5 sacks this year), he performed a great individual performance. This comes as he continues to play at least 15 games per season for the sixth year in a row.