NFL Trade Rumors
Projected Cap Space: $46.1 million
Draft Picks: 8
Notable Free Agents:
1 – Cornerback
The Packers don’t have many glaring weaknesses but a position group that stands out as one that needs attention going into 2025 is cornerback. Stokes is set to be a free agent and there’s a good chance the former first-rounder isn’t back. At this point, the Packers also seem likely to move on from CB Jaire Alexander after injuries have limited him to 14 games over the past two seasons. That leaves Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as the two starters outside, with 2024 second-round DB Javon Bullard in the nickel.
Valentine has blown away expectations as a former seventh-round pick and should get credit for that. Nixon has also worked his way into a full-time starting role on defense after being initially signed just for special teams, and last year he made the transition from slot corner to outside corner over the course of the season. That was partially due to injuries, partially to make way for Bullard, who the Packers were converting from college safety to nickel defender with some rocky results.
There’s room for growth here. However, unless two or more of these players take significant leaps forward, the Packers secondary would be a weakness compared to the rest of the league. That’s a tough thing for GM Brian Gutekunst to leave to chance.
2 – Wide Receiver
The Packers talked up the young group of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks heading into the 2024 season, arguing they didn’t need a No. 1 receiver thanks to the collective strength and depth of the receiving corps plus the rest of the skill positions. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out how Green Bay envisioned.
While every one of those players flashed at different points, as a group they were far too inconsistent over the course of the season. The Packers had the second-worst drop percentage in the NFL and were 30th in pass attempts — partially because of the success of the ground game but partially out of a desire to minimize the passing game’s inconsistency. Opponents played man coverage against the Packers at one of the highest rates in the league, showing no fear of the team’s receivers.
With Watson’s torn ACL in January potentially putting him on ice for a significant chunk of the upcoming season, the need for help at receiver is amplified. Reed, Wicks and Doubs are all 25 or younger, so it’s possible they could develop more. But the...
