The Green Bay Packers have been one of the quietest teams in the NFL thus far this offseason. With their focus centered on Aaron Rodgers and making a trade with the New York Jets, the Packers have gone very little to upgrade the roster.
Green Bay has a few needs on the team. They were middle of the road on both sides of the ball with an average offense and defense. With Jordan Love taking over as the team’s starting quarterback, it would behoove the front office to upgrade the roster around him.
One of the biggest gripes that Rodgers had in recent years was the lack of weapons being put around him. That is once again an issue this offseason as the Packers lost even more talent offensively.
After Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were lost during the 2022 offseason, Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan departed this year. Veteran Randall Cobb remains a free agent as well, which leaves the Packers dangerously thin on pass catchers.
Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are under immense pressure to step up in Year 2. It would not be shocking if Green Bay used their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on a tight end, as Josiah Deguara is the only one currently under contract.
The team could look into adding a wide receiver as well, but a veteran will have to be added eventually. With the free agent market lacking, the Packers could turn to the trade market to fill their need. One player who would make for a good fit is DeAndre Hopkins.
Green Bay has been mentioned as a potential suitor for the Arizona Cardinals’ star wide receiver and the fit makes sense. Love needs a go-to receiver to target and Hopkins would provide him with that until Watson and Doubs are ready to assume lead roles.
Hopkins’ contract is expensive, which is part of the reason the Cardinals won’t receive as much value in return for him as they were hoping. After missing 15 games the last two seasons, Hopkins is a bit of a risk from an availability standpoint right now as well.
Despite those hurdles, Hopkins would make for an ideal target for the Packers. He still produces as a No. 1 wide receiver when on the field and with Marquise Brown eligible for an extension, the Cardinals have some motivation to move the former All-Pro despite what new head coach Jonathan Gannon has said about Hopkins being in their lineup Week 1.
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