Packers have a deep roster but are closing down an area to consider at the trade deadline

GREEN BAY – There are more important things at stake leading up to Nov. 5 than whether the Detroit Lions can acquire a pass rusher to replace Aidan Hutchinson.

Or the San Francisco 49ers could work out a trade for a receiver to replace the injured Brandon Aiyuk.

Or the Philadelphia Eagles could make a deal for a pass rusher to add some extra strength to their defense.

The NFL Trade Deadline will be yesterday’s news on Tuesday at 3:01 PM given everything that will happen next, but for the aforementioned teams, as well as a handful of others, deals that have been completed and will be completed could decide how the standings will play out in January .

The Green Bay Packers are not included in the buyers list as they have no notable need due to excellent depth and a largely clean bill of health. There aren’t many places on the roster where you can say the team is in danger of being in trouble.

Hurry, they even have a backup quarterback who is 3-0 in games where he had to replace injured starter Jordan Love.

But the legend of Malik Willis Aside from that, general manager Brian Gutekunst has a few things to think about this week.

Teams around him are making deals to improve their stock and he could do well to consider some options to improve his own roster.

Minnesota acquired Cam Robinson from Jacksonville on Tuesday to replace injured left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Baltimore acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers to bolster its passing attack. Kansas City acquired edge rusher Josh Ushe about a week after acquiring receiver DeAndre Hopkins in an effort to stay ahead of the game.

Before Gutekunst and his staff look for a deal — or take one that’s offered to them — they should consider all possible mechanical glitches now that they’re on a four-game winning streak and on track to sign a player be in the NFC at the end of the regular season.

Packers can improve the selection, but depth is a strong point

Where are there potential problems?

At running back? Not with Josh Jacobs on pace for 1,417 yards, backups Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and third-round draft pick MarShawn Lloyd likely to be back shortly after the bye.

At wide receiver? They can’t find enough balls to go around as it is, so no.

At the tight end? Not really. If something were to happen to Tucker Kraft, they would at least know that 2023 second-round pick Luke Musgrave (ankle) would have a chance to return from injured reserve and contribute down the stretch.

On the offensive line? They have one veteran tackle (Andre Dillard) and two young, promising tackles (Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover) available and some interior depth, with Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan sharing the right guard spot. So they don’t need any help there.

On the homeland defense line? They can always use emergency care, but they can’t get someone there without giving up a high choice. Additionally, Devonte Wyatt’s injury allowed Colby Wooden to remind coaches that he can be disruptive, so the depth there is better than anyone would expect.

On the defensive side? It wouldn’t hurt to get a pass rusher like Hasson Reddick, but the Jets just reworked his contract to get him reported and so that won’t happen. New York Giants end Azeez Ojulari, who has five sacks in his past three games, weighs just 240 pounds and would likely be used primarily on third downs. Moreover, he is in the last year of his contract. Everything they did would essentially be a trade for Preston Smith, who the Packers are trying to keep fresh for the long haul. If Lukas Van Ness were to gain more pass rush, it would close the door on a need. But it is a possibility.

At linebacker? As long as Quay Walker can get and stay healthy, this is not necessary. Edgerrin Cooper will play more and more as the season progresses and Eric Wilson showed he is more than capable when needed. They haven’t even met rookie Ty’Ron Hopper yet.

In safety? The position proved to be a problem when Evan Williams (hamstring) was injured against Jacksonville. But Williams’ injury is not serious and the Packers have two rookies (Williams and Javon Bullard) who deserve to be on the field despite their ups and downs. It’s about getting them ready for the playoffs. Bringing in a veteran wouldn’t help their development. If something were to happen to Xavier McKinney, there would be no one to soften the blow.

At cornerback? This is the one area where Gutekunst would like to think about helping veterans. Jaire Alexander keeps getting injured, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine have been inconsistent and Keisean Nixon is playing outside for the first time. Corey Ballentine is most valuable on special teams, so adding another corner would provide a lot of security on the back end.

There aren’t many options. He could take a chance on Tre’Davious White of the Los Angeles Rams, who was previously a top-five pick but struggled last year with an Achilles tendon rupture. He has been allowed to seek an appeal. The Packers need a Rasul Douglas type asset: a hungry veteran who can flourish playing with the right people around him.

Whether or not White of New England’s Jonathan Jones or anyone else who calls on Gutekunst can be acquired will need to be considered. There may be people available whose contracts are heavy, like Cleveland’s Greg Newsome II, but there are sellers on the market and the Packers should be working the phones.

Sometimes the moves you don’t make are the best moves

So far, the wide receiver trade market has been hot, and it’s not surprising to see contenders like Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo (Amari Cooper) making deals. More will likely happen in the coming week.

Gutekunst hasn’t often been willing to give up second-day draft picks, and when he did a few years ago, he was lucky not to get anything done. None of the deals would have turned out very well.

Last year, when it looked like he might be looking for a receiver or safety, he traded Douglas for a third-round pick, which he used to draft Hopper. The Packers could certainly use Douglas right now, but Gutekunst thought at the time it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

It is possible that he will trade away players again. It wouldn’t be surprising if he listened to offers for Smith, Stokes, Dillard, Telfort or Wilson. But other than Stokes and Smith, there aren’t many guys on contracts he might want to get rid of, so why trade those guys for minimum wages?

More than likely, the trade deadline will come and go without Gutekunst doing anything. He has as much depth as any team in the NFL and his roster is among the healthiest. Trailing the best team in the NFC by 6-2 and a half game, the stakes are high for the Packers.

But only when it comes to football.