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.