The Green Bay Packers finished up training camp knowing they had a strong roster. Like most teams in the league they also knew that the team had it’s flaws.
They surprised some when they traded for Malik Willis, cutting ties with not one, but two QB’s they had spent draft capital on over the last two years. That trade has been worth 2.5 wins this season (He gets half the credit for Jacksonville.)
They traded for Brayden Narveson, after the worlds saddest camp battle between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph. That trade you could argue cost the team two games – with missed kicks accounting for more points than the margins of defeat. The team preached patience, but the second a better option came along – Green Bay made another move.
Brandon McManus has been with the team for two weeks. In that time he’s kicked two game winning field goals. Two more wins from an even later addition.
Two players that were not on the team for any of the preseason and camp. One not even present for over half of the season. Four wins that may well have been losses. Green Bay now sits at 6-2. Should they stand pat? This team has a shot at the Super Bowl, now is the time to think about adding one or two more pieces.
Potential Reinforcements
They should make a trade is an easy thing to say about any team pushing for the playoffs. What and who they should trade for is often a little less clear. When it comes to Green Bay there are two options for potential trades – CB and Edge.
I’ll be the first to tell you that I’ve been disappointed in the defensive line this year. A group that ranked 6th in pressure last year by DVOA, with a fully recovered Rashan Gary and the 13th overall pick from the year prior should be better then what they’ve shown to this point.
That being said, the defense is still putting up top half of the league numbers for pressures and sacks.
CB is where my greatest concern lies and where Green Bay should be looking to potentially part with future draft capital for immediate returns.
Who’s selling becomes the next question. It’s generally best to try and grab good players in bad situations. There are plenty of bad situations this year.
There are three options here that appeal to me. Jaycee Horn is the young potential option. He fits most with the youth movement strategy that Green Bay has embraced as of late, but he’s also got some scary injury history.
DJ Reed would be ideal. A little more experienced than Horn, but without the same injury baggage. Unfortunately he plays for the New York Jets. Given how the last two Rodgers years have gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if GM Joe Douglas has Gutekunst’s number blocked.
This leaves my preferred option – Denzel Ward. He’s a proven option on a team that isn’t making the playoffs. Green Bay and Cleveland have traded before and he’s the right age for a team that could use just a little bit more experience in it’s cornerback room.
Even if it doesn’t end up being one of these three, Green Bay needs and should make a move. Alexander has played well, but behind him is pretty scary. Eric Stokes seems to be another first round miss, Carrington Valentine has apparently fell out of favor and Keisean Nixon is divisive to say the least.
Green Bay rebuilt its safety room to an astonishing degree. Edgerrin Cooper and Eric Wilson have begun to help solidify the linebacker position. Corner is the spot that could truly sink this team. If the Lions come into Lambeau next week and continue to put on a show offensively, Green Bay needs to think long and hard about pushing at least a few chips on the table and making the most of what has the makings of a special season.
The post Last Minute Additions Save Green Bay, Team Should Add More first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.