Big NFL trade takes 2 options off the market for the Packers, but a Rasul Douglas-style move might be the perfect answer
There are still avenues to improve the secondary.
The Green Bay Packers could certainly use another cornerback, especially after a shaky start to free agent addition Nate Hobbs’ tenure. Well, two of the top trade targets are now off the market because the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a curious move, swapping Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome, in addition to some late-round picks.
Campbell was not perceived as a great option for the Packers because he had just signed a contract extension with the Jaguars. But going to a new team, the Browns will have more financial flexibility if they want to adjust his deal. Meanwhile, Greg Newsome had already been mentioned as a potential trade candidate for quite a while, especially because he’s playing under his fifth-year option and will hit the market next offseason.
Well, now those options are gone. And while the Packers do have some available trade targets at the cornerback position, the most realistic path to add pieces to the room might be elsewhere.
Rasul Douglas-style move
Back in 2021, the Packers considered a trade for veteran Stephon Gilmore, but it didn’t materialize, and he went to the Carolina Panthers. Instead, the Packers signed Rasul Douglas off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.
Yes, those moves rarely pan out as impactfully as that one did for Green Bay. Nonetheless, the Packers’ pro personnel has a significant track record of success. Wide receiver Allen Lazard and converted cornerback Bo Melton were also signed off other teams’ practice squads, for instance.
One obvious name is Kalen King, who’s with the Carolina Panthers’ PS but spent his first two training camps in Green Bay. The former seventh-round pick was on the Packers’ PS last year.
However, there are some veteran options as well. In terms of profile, it’s hard to be closer to Douglas than Ambry Thomas. Both were third-round picks and had significant playing experience. Thomas spent his first four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before moving around since. Now, he’s on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.
Tre Flowers (Detroit Lions), Fabian Moreau (Minnesota Vikings), Shaquill Griffin (Seattle Seahawks), Dane Jackson (Buffalo Bills), and Damon Arnette (Houston Texans) are all on other teams’ practice squads as well, making them eligible to sign with an active roster elsewhere at any point.
Right now, the Packers have Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, and Kamal Hadden on the 53-man roster, plus Micah Robinson on the practice squad. The team looks satisfied with its depth, but a few more bad performances like the group had against the Dallas Cowboys, and general manager Brian Gutekunst could be forced to take a look at what the market presents.
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