On two separate occasions already this offseason, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has mentioned the possibility of using some of his draft capital — which includes five picks in the top 100 selections — to trade for a veteran player.
The Packers’ roster builder first brought up the possibility of a veteran trade in his season-ending press conference. And he said it again during a 1-on-1 interview with Larry McCarren of Packers.com from the NFL Scouting Combine.
“(The team’s draft capital) also gives us a little bit of flexibility, whether it’s moving around within the draft or if there’s players out there, veteran players, that are available, that could be a possibility as well,” Gutekunst said during an answer to a question about how he’ll use his five picks in the top 100.
More than anything, Gutekunst has preached the importance and value of “flexibility” entering the draft. The Packers can stay put, move down, move up, trade for veterans or any combination of the options during the first two days of the draft. But it’s clear trading a pick for a player is on the team’s radar.
Where would the Packers want a veteran or two?
Cornerback and safety are the first positions that come to mind, given the needs at both positions at this point in the offseason. A trade for a veteran safety could immediately stabilize a position in flux, especially given how important the position is expected to be in Jeff Hafley’s new defense. Targeting a cornerback could help the Packers get immediately better at a premium position. An off-ball linebacker might also be a targeted position considering the Packers are about to transition to a 4-3 base.
On offense, Gutekunst’s roster might have roster holes at backup running back and along the interior of the offensive line.
The Packers have picks in the first round (No. 25), second round (No. 41, No. 58) and third round (No. 88, No. 91). And they are expected to acquire three compensatory picks on Day 3, which would bring the final total to 11 picks.
Does Gutekunst want to add 11 more rookie draft picks to his young and ascending roster? Or is he gearing up to trade a pick or two for a veteran player who is ready to immediately help a Super Bowl contender?