The Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst must prioritize adding game-changers at several key positions during the upcoming NFL Draft.
That’s especially true given how poorly the wide receiving corps underachived down the stretch last season, and some of the roster’s biggest needs were exposed in a playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
If there is a prospect who slides down the board within a reasonable range for the Packers to move up to select him, there’s a chance that Gutekunst may look to aggressively trade up.
According to one NFL Draft analyst, cornerback Jahdae Barron and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden may be some of the Packers’ top targets.
Green Bay Packers potential perfect trade partner, top targets revealed
Texas wideout Isaiah Bond (WO05) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas wideout Isaiah Bond (WO05) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
NFL Media NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter suggests that the Packers could look to move up as many as four spots with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who might be an ideal trade partner at No. 19 overall, in a deal that includes the 23rd and 87th overall picks with the Tampa Bay sending back picks No. 19 and 157 overall.
“Although the Packers made the playoffs with an 11-6 record last season,” Reuter writes. “They finished third in the NFC North and were one-and-done in postseason play. Shoring up a couple of roster spots through the draft could help them return to the top of the division and clinch them their first home playoff game since 2021.
“To secure one of this year’s top CBs (Jahdae Barron), WRs (Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden) or edge defenders (Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams) — whomever from their wish list is still available at No. 19 overall — the Pack put in a call to their former NFC Central rival to climb up a few rungs on the first-round ladder.”
The prospects Reuter mentions each play positions the Packers desperately need to upgrade and could walk in and make an immediate impact, which could make a bold move up the board palatable for Green Bay, especially given that there are so few positions of need on a roster that has made two consecutive playoff trips.
Feb 27, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks to media during the 2019 NFL Combine at Indianapolis Convention Center. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks to media during the 2019 NFL Combine at Indianapolis Convention Center. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports