The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, and the Green Bay Packers are usually not making huge splashes during the season. Especially this year, where they have a relatively strong depth and not many huge holes, it would be easy to understand general manager Brian Gutekunst if he stood pat.

However, there is one place on the roster where it's plausible to expect movement — and not only out of desperation, but also thinking about long-term success.

The cornerback position.

Jaire Alexander is still playing at a high level. When he is on the field, it's clear for the Packers how important and valuable he is. However, there are two additional points. First, Alexander has handled several injuries through his NFL career. And second, it's hard to get excited about anything beyond Alexander at the position.

Eric Stokes hasn't played well since his rookie season in 2021. It's fair to wonder if the multiple injuries affected his athletic ability. Moreover, Green Bay didn't pick up Stokes' fifth-year option, so he's slated to be a free agent.

Keisean Nixon is a solid defender, but not good enough for the Packers to not look for improvement. Especially when Green Bay has been forced to play him outside for lack of better options. Carrington Valentine had a good rookie season, but the defensive staff doesn't seem to trust him that much.

So if the Packers make a trade to acquire a cornerback at the trade deadline, this won't be only about 2024. It will be about setting it up for the next few years.

Options

We have already discussed the possibility of acquiring Greg Newsome from the Cleveland Browns. He hasn't been good this year, but Cleveland has gone through a difficult situation, and Newsome has already shown how talented he is in the league. Money might be a complicating factor, as he is slated to make $13 million in 2025, but the Packers need someone under contract beyond this season at the position to make it work.

Another option is Marshon Lattimore. New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis doesn't seem like a big fan of selling at the trade deadline, but the team's situation is so bad (and desperate) that he might finally feel compelled to act.

Lattimore will make only $640k for the rest of the season, as most of his earnings were paid in the form of a signing bonus by the Saints. He is 28 and is still under contract for two more seasons, making $18 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026. None of it beyond 2024 is guaranteed, even though Lattimore has $2 million roster bonuses in March of each season to force a quick decision.

The Packers should've probably taken a cornerback early in the draft this year. They didn't, and now the situation at the position is concerning. There is still time to make a real move, and it would have implications beyond the next 10 games.

Packers and Browns can benefit from NFL trade deadline deal that would send former first-round pick to Green Bay

Greg Newsome has been with the Browns since 2021