The NFL trade market is heating up as teams sprint toward next Tuesday’s cutdown deadline, with clubs already completing seven trades this month, not counting yesterday’s Broncos-Saints swap. The pace suggests a steady appetite for turning expiring contracts into future assets.
Could the Packers join the rush? It’s plausible, though the prevailing view is that Green Bay may lean more toward selling. Here are three players who could be move candidates before the final 53-man roster is set.
Romeo Doubs, wide receiver
– The Packers added two receivers in the draft, creating depth that could force a more conservative approach at the position, especially if Green Bay leans into a 12-personnel look.
– Doubs is on an expiring contract and is among the team’s more reliable receivers when healthy. Christian Watson is dealing with an ACL recovery, which keeps Doubs in the mix as a top option.
– He carries a cap hit right around $3.5 million this year, and his steady production over the past two seasons makes him an appealing target for teams seeking a dependable, affordable upgrade at wideout.
Kingsley Enagbare, edge rusher
– Enagbare stands out as a movable piece on defense, having contributed as a rotational pass rusher and staying available despite what looked like a serious knee issue at the end of 2023.
– Over three seasons, he’s posted 9.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, with the size to handle blown containments at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds.
– Moving Enagbare would not only provide an on-paper return but would also help the Packers free cap space, thanks to the NFL’s Proven Performance escalator boosting his 2024 cap hit to just over $3.4 million. A deal could wipe nearly all of that off the books, giving Green Bay more room to maneuver either for 2025 plans or a midseason trade push.
Rasheed Walker, offensive tackle
– Walker remains the nominal starter at left tackle, but it looks like Jordan Morgan is climbing toward the long-term role at the position. Morgan’s trajectory, along with the presence of 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton, gives the Packers reasonable depth at tackle for now and the future.
– Walker’s contract expires after this season, putting him in a position where he could be traded for value if Green Bay believes Morgan or Belton is ready to take the reins.
– Like Enagbare, Walker is a beneficiary of the Proven Performance escalator, and moving him could free up roughly $3.4 million in cap space.
Will any of these players move?
– While the fit for a deal makes logical sense, an actual trade would still come with depth and roster considerations. A move would trade short-term depth for future assets or cap relief, and there’s no guarantee Green Bay would want to part with players who could be part of the 53-man roster this season. Still, the incentive to extract value from players who may not have a long-term future in Green Bay could be compelling.
Bottom line
– The Packers are in a position to capitalize if the right opportunity arises, but they’ll weigh immediate depth against longer-term cap and roster implications. The 53-man roster deadline could prompt a few more conversations as teams assess their needs and value of expiring contracts.
Summary takeaways
– The trade market is active, with seven trades this month and more potential on the way.
– Green Bay appears more inclined to consider selling on some players, using the value of expiring contracts and cap relief to shape the roster and future capitalization.
– Potential targets for trade include Romeo Doubs, Kingsley Enagbare, and Rasheed Walker, all of whom offer distinct value propositions for other teams and meaningful cap implications for Green Bay.
Potential angles to watch
– Which teams emerge as buyers for Packers players, and what draft capital or future considerations would Green Bay require?
– How Green Bay balances the push for immediate depth with the opportunity to maximize cap space for 2025 and beyond.
– The ongoing evaluation by Matt LaFleur and staff as they approach the final roster decisions.
Positive outlook
– If Green Bay can thread the needle between keeping core talent and leveraging contract situations for future assets, the Packers could maintain flexibility and keep options open for rebuilding or contending paths in the near term.