GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brian Gutekunst hasn't exactly been apprehensive when it comes to pulling the trigger on a trade this offseason.
The Green Bay Packers' general manager flipped nose tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin and sent defensive end Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
He made a third on Friday, trading wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fifth-round pick in this year's draft and a sixth-round pick in 2027, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Upon completion of the trade, Wicks will sign a one-year extension worth $12.5 million, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season.
The fifth-round pick the Packers are receiving in the deal is the No. 153 overall selection for this year, giving them a total of eight picks: Nos. 52, 84, 120, 160, 201, 236, and 255. With the sixth-round pick for next year now in their pocket, the Packers will have a smorgasbord of draft capital. They'll receive another pair of fourth-round picks for the departures of Malik Willis and Romeo Doubs, a fifth for Quay Walker, and a sixth for either Rasheed Walker or Kingsley Enagbare. Willis' pick is likely to be bumped up to a third, and Walker's could be elevated to a fifth.
The Packers will also add just north of $3.6 million in cap space for trading Wicks.
Dontayvion Wicks played in 46 games for the Packers over three seasons. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Wicks, a former fifth-round pick, has become the odd man out at the position, even after the team allowed Doubs to enter unrestricted free agency this spring. Doubs ultimately signed a lucrative, four-year deal with the New England Patriots while Wicks and Jayden Reed were each entering the final year of their rookie contracts. Matthew Golden and Savion Williams -- last year's first and third-round selections, respectively -- are expected to be elevated into heightened roles in 2025. That's especially true for Golden, who will now become a full-time player.
Wicks' name has been floated in trade conversations since last year's trade deadline, most recently as a potential candidate for the New York Jets to pursue.
There was certainly precedent for the 24-year-old Wicks to be the latest wideout on the move. Just in the last month, D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jaylen Waddle have all been dealt to new teams. If the intent is to provide Golden and Williams with even more playing time -- or to perhaps bolster the position in the draft later this month -- then getting anything they can for Wicks is certainly an ideal route. Another avenue for the Packers could have been to allow Wicks to hit free agency next spring and cash in on what should be a decent compensatory pick in 2028, but that's never a guarantee, and the value of two picks may have been difficult to pass up.
Dontayvion Wicks beats cornerback Stephon Gilmore in the Packers' Wild Card win over the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
All things considered, Wicks has been a stellar contributor for a fifth-round pick who never consistently cracked the starting lineup. He's never played more than 54 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps in his three years with the team; however, that's more of a testament to the style of offense implemented by head coach Matt LaFleur. It's a unit with a number of different mouths to feed, and every now and then, Wicks would see his fair share of opportunities, but never anything extensive.
The Packers also had the luxury of dependability with Wicks. He's appeared in 46 of a possible 51 regular-season games in Green Bay, catching 108 passes for 1,328 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions this past season was arguably his finest hour -- he hauled in six receptions for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a clutch 16-yard reception on 4th-and-3 to secure the victory. For as reliable as Wicks has been in terms of his availability, he sustained a concussion in the team's Dec. 27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, forcing him to sit out of the regular-season finale as well as the ensuing Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 12th season covering theGreen Bay Packers. He is a member of thePro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter@zacobson or contact him via email atitszachariahj@gmail.com