We all know the popular names that have been floated in trade rumors this offseason when it comes to the Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, Romeo Doubs, Malik Willis, and to a lesser extent, Rasheed Walker. But what about some of the lesser-discussed names that could peak the interest of other teams? With training camp and preseason battles likely running until the final days of camp, there are players on the roster who could lose their standing — whether due to poor play or a teammate outshining them. Instead of keeping them around in diminished roles, it might make more sense for the Packers to explore trades, gaining draft capital while also freeing up salary.
Sean Rhyan
As we sit here just before OTAs kick off, Sean Rhyan is penciled in as the Packers’ starting right guard — a role he’s held for the past two seasons, playing nearly every snap. So why would Green Bay consider trading him?
Over the last two offseasons, the team has invested heavily in the interior offensive line. Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, and Aaron Banks have all joined the unit — Morgan and Belton via high draft picks, and Banks on a lucrative four-year, $77 million free-agent deal. All three happen to play guard.
Banks is surely a lock at left guard with that contract, with Elgton Jenkins expected to slide over to center. Morgan missed most of his rookie season in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, but Green Bay will surely want to see a return on their first-round investment soon.
Belton is a massive presence, and if he puts together a strong training camp and preseason, he could be part of the “best five” linemen that Matt LaFleur frequently talks about. If that happens, Rhyan may find himself on the outside looking in. With 2025 being the final year of his rookie contract, Rhyan could have value as a starting-caliber offensive lineman — a rare commodity just before the season begins.
Kingsley Enagbare
One of the biggest disappointments for the Packers in 2024 was the pass rush — plain and simple. It was inconsistent and often invisible, especially in key moments. If Green Bay wants to be a serious NFC contender, disrupting the quarterback must become a priority.
Kingsley Enagbare was a major letdown last year. Despite playing 511 snaps (47% of the defensive total), he ranked just 68th in snaps among 211 qualifying edge defenders — and a poor PFF grade of 56, which placed him 140th out of those same 211.
Toward the end of the season, he was being overtaken by Brenton Cox Jr., who not only started out-snapping him but also appears to have more upside. The Packers also doubled up on pass rushers in the draft, selecting Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver — both of whom they’ll want to get on the field.
With Rashan Gary needing support and this being a make-or-break year for Lukas Van Ness, there will be intense competition for snaps. Like Rhyan, Enagbare is in the final year of his rookie deal, and his modest $3.5 million cap hit could make him an attractive flier for a team looking to revive a pass rusher with a change of scenery.
Emanuel Wilson / Chris Brooks
Okay, I’m cheating a bit by lumping these two together, but it makes sense — they’re neck and neck entering training camp in the battle for the third running back spot behind Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd in my opinion.
While it’s possible the Packers keep four backs, I would lean against that. It’s more likely they’ll prioritize an extra corner, or linebacker for special teams, or keep an extra offensive lineman for depth due to the sheer amount they have drafted over a fourth running back.
Both Wilson and Brooks bring something valuable to the roster. Wilson has flashed as the better runner and pass catcher out of the backfield, while Brooks stands out in pass protection — a skill neither Jacobs nor Lloyd has excelled in. In a pass-heavy league, Brooks’ blocking could be a reason the team opts to keep him.
Instead of cutting the loser of the running back 3 battle and hoping to stash them on the practice squad, it might be wiser to trade one and keep one of the undrafted free agents on the PS. Plenty of teams suffer backfield injuries in camp, and either of these guys could be appealing insurance.
Roster crunch time always leads to some tough decisions, and while marquee trades grab headlines, the shrewd moves often come from dealing solid depth pieces. For the Packers, parting with a few under-the-radar veterans before Week 1 could help them build for the future — without weakening the present.