The Green Bay Packers are much more active on the trade market under Brian Gutekunst than they were with Ted Thompson at the helm. But that mostly includes selling players to extract the highest possible value of each situation.
Sometimes, Gutekunst trades elite players away — like Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. But he also moves bottom of the roster pieces to get additional draft capital.
It's draft week, so don't expect big time moves. But there are realistic scenarios where Green Bay can end up moving some players that lose relevance within the roster.
Let's discuss three players that might be traded over the next week:
WR Samori Toure
The Packers drafted Toure in the seventh round in 2022, after they also had taken Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. He made the 53-man roster in each of the last two seasons, but an influx of receiver talent made him an afterthought. He played 11 games in each season, and there was some expectation about his development after a beautiful touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills in his rookie season.
However, his performance didn't improve in 2023. In two seasons, he combined only 13 catches for 160 yards.
Last year, he could have been cut, but the Packers were able to place him on injured reserve to promote Bo Melton. If Green Bay adds more pass-catchers in the draft, Toure might need to find a new home. Considering he's still young and has some talent, there can be a team willing to give up a late-round pick.
G Royce Newman
Yes, I know you are wondering if any NFL team would give up a draft asset to acquire Newman. But remember that the Packers traded Cole Van Lanen to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a seventh-round pick and he had played one offensive snap in Green Bay.
Newman is much better and more experienced. He started 24 NFL games and was a decent player in his rookie year. Considering how difficult it is to find decent offensive linemen in the NFL, a team might watch his rookie tape and think they can fix his game.
Right now, Newman is sort of important for the Packers because he is the only backup interior offensive lineman on the 90-man roster. But if they add some pieces in the draft, or maybe are willing to test Andre Dillard as a guard, Newman can become available.
QB Alex McGough
General manager Brian Gutekunst has said that he wants to add developmental quarterbacks. If he does that, it will be hard to justify a roster spot for Alex McGough, who was an USFL MVP in 2023.
McGough spent the entire season on the practice squad as QB3 last year. But if the Packers draft someone, the veteran would have to beat Sean Clifford to stay, which is an unlike scenario.
Alex McGough has some NFL camp experience for the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans, besides his game experience for the Birmingham Stallions. Maybe, a team that runs a similar system might be interested in adding a playable backup, and that absolutely has value around the league.
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