Packers Trade Candidates: Draft weekend could bring surprise moves and smart scenarios for the roster in Green Bay

General manager Brian Gutekunst has been an active trader since he took over the Green Bay Packers in 2018. Curiously, he has never traded a player away during the NFL Draft—even though he has moved players like Damarious Randall, Davante Adams, and Aaron Rodgers earlier in the offseason, or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Ty Montgomery, Rasul Douglas, and Cole Van Lanen later in the calendar.

This year brings some intriguing options, though. The most obvious trade candidate is cornerback Jaire Alexander, and moving him during the draft would make perfect sense. If a team doesn’t get a desired first-round cornerback, it could be more willing to give up some type of compensation to acquire the veteran.

So, let’s go through potential scenarios with three Packers players who could be dealt away over the next few days if the right opportunity presents itself.

CB Jaire Alexander

As aforementioned, Alexander is the most likely and obvious trade candidate. NFL executives lie all the time, but they don’t say they are willing to trade a player that they intend to keep.

“We invested a lot in Jaire and want to make sure, if he's not gonna be on our football team helping us win games, that we get something back for that investment,” Gutekunst said. “So we'll see where it goes."

It’s been hard for the Packers to trade Alexander because he’s slated to make $17.5 million and isn't willing to take a paycut—rightfully so, considering that if nobody wants to pay him his current compensation, it’s better for him to hit free agency and choose his next destination.

But if a team doesn’t get an early-round cornerback of its dreams, it’s possible that a glaring need or some type of pressure could lead someone to accept the Packers’ asking price. For Green Bay, any type of compensation seems like a positive outcome at this point, because it would avoid Alexander going to another NFC North team—which may very well happen if he is cut.

WR Romeo Doubs

This one isn’t as likely as it would be if Christian Watson was healthy. But there are plenty of reasons for the Packers to trade Doubs away, and if the Packers get a top prospect over the first two rounds, it becomes more realistic.

The Packers don’t have a depth problem, they have an issue at the top of the room. Doubs is arguably the player with the lowest-ceiling among the Packers top options, behind Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Watson.

Moreover, Doubs is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Spotrac projects that he will get a four-year, $47.74 million contract ($11.9 million per season), which seems perfectly fair for a player of his caliber. But the wide receiver market is increasing year after year, and it wouldn’t be a shock if Doubs were able to get more than $15 million.

With some financial constraints and other priorities, like Jayden Reed himself, it’s hard to imagine Doubs getting an extension in Green Bay. And if the team is moving on from him anyway, it would be smart to get compensation before it’s too late.

QB Malik Willis

We’ve discussed a lot about what a Malik Willis trade package could look like, and potential buyers in the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. The Packers are comfortable with Willis as their backup quarterback after strong appearances in 2024.

General manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur know the value of a good backup, and they had a tough time finding one with failed picks in Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt. Nonetheless, if a team is willing to give up real draft compensation for Willis, like a Day 2 pick, the Packers would be smart to consider it—especially because the quarterback is entering the final year of his rookie contract.