Acme Packing Company
I know Green Bay Packers fans are desperately searching for a potential trade candidate at either defensive tackle or cornerback to give this team a shot in the arm in the second half of the 2025 regular season. Thankfully, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen talked about the trade deadline this week and named their top 25 trade candidates as it stands today.
They also think there’s a possibility of one outgoing trade. Let’s knock through those candidates, specifically, and talk through their quotes about the players.
NONE. That’s right. NONE.
Almost no one is willing to part ways with quality defensive tackles in today’s NFL. College football seems to be pushing these big bodies on the offensive line more than the defensive line. There just isn’t the talent at the position that there was in the early-to-mid 2010s.
Last year’s free agency class was barren, unless you were in the market for paying one-year starters around $15 million a year. On draft day, defensive tackles went way higher than most expected. It’s a seller’s market, due to the desperation at the position, but no one wants to send off a defensive tackle. There’s no promise that you’ll be able to backfill at the position next offseason, unless you spend a very high draft pick.
Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Multiple league execs have Woolen earmarked as a strong trade candidate leading into the deadline. “They’ve been wanting to move him for a while,” one executive said. “He doesn’t fit what [Mike Macdonald] wants to do.” Woolen would be best served going to a team that can use his man-coverage traits. One potential hurdle to a deal: Seattle’s other starting corner, Devon Witherspoon, has had a difficult time staying healthy this season.
If there’s one knock here, it’s that the Packers don’t really play a lot of man coverage, unless opposing offenses lock into quick game. With that being said, Green Bay has been playing more man coverage as of late because teams are trying to get the ball out of their hands so quickly against this pass rush. This was particularly evident against the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Flacco.
Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints
This would be a surprise but is still one to watch. The Saints don’t want to trade Taylor but would consider it if they receive a strong offer. He is on the radar of a few teams. Taylor is a 2026 free agent who figures to earn a big payday, and it’s worth noting that the Saints have a young core of defensive backs they like in Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley and Jonas Sanker.
I’m not sure what qualifies as a strong offer here, but the Packers are willing to take on comp picks for expiring contracts next free agency cycle. Clearly, the Saints haven’t been able to reach a deal with Taylor on an extension. New Orleans probably isn’t in a position where they’ll want to bow...
