Packers defensive player is generating buzz in the trade market, and Green Bay could benefit by acting ahead of the deadline

Super Bowl contenders are seldom sellers at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, the Green Bay Packers may be in a unique position to send a defensive player elsewhere ahead of the trade deadline on Nov. 4.

According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Packers edge defender Kingsley Enagbare is among the players "who have garnered interest" in the trade market over the past few days.

The premise in Green Bay tends to be that you can never have too many pass rushers, but moving on from Enagbare could actually be a smart move for the Packers. He is a decent rotational edge rusher, but there are several reasons to consider a trade.

Why it makes sense for the Packers

First of all, Kingsley Enagbare is in the final year of his rookie deal, which means he is slated to hit free agency next offseason. Because he achieved the proven performance escalator, Enagbare is making a $3.4 million base salary this year. In the case of a trade right at the deadline, Green Bay would open $1.6 million in cap space, the part of the salary that would be absorbed by the acquiring team.

More impactfully, the Packers would recoup a much-needed draft capital. The team is without its next two first-round picks after trading for Micah Parsons, and without the sixth-round pick next year for acquiring offensive lineman Darian Kinnard. That sequence of moves makes it much more important that Green Bay get additional picks.

Sure, the Packers would be in line to get a compensatory pick in 2027 for losing Enagbare in free agency, but that's a year later and brings much more uncertainty (price, snaps, number of departing and signed free agents).

Depth at edge

So far this season, Enagbare has played 25.46% of the defensive snaps, fourth on the Packers behind Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness.

Enagbare has had four pressures in four games this season. While depth at pass rusher is relevant, moving on from Enagbare wouldn't leave the defense unprotected. First, because the top three edge players are on the field the majority of the time anyway. But also because rookie fourth-round pick Barryn Sorrell would jump to the fourth edge spot, and he has shown positive early signs.

Moreover, edge and off-ball linebacker hybridCollin Oliver started the season on the physically unable to perform list, but he's already eligible to return and is expected to enter the rotation at some point during the regular season.

The Packers could use Kingsley Enagbare as a trade asset for draft picks, yes, but even in a player-for-player trade. The roster has obvious needs at defensive tackle (especially after Devonte Wyatt's injury) and cornerback.

General manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't been afraid to be active near the trade deadline, and this market opportunity may be too good to pass up for Green Bay.