3 dream targets for the Packers at the NFL trade deadline to boost Super Bowl hopes

The Green Bay Packers find themselves in a favorable but rare position. They don’t have desperate needs. Their win over the Houston Texans gives hope that they have solved two of their biggest problems: kicking and rushing the passer.

Brandon McManus hit a game-winning kick in his debut, suggesting the Packers have finally found their replacement for Mason Crosby, while the pass rush made life difficult for Texas quarterback CJ Stroud.

However, it’s still questionable whether the Packers will need to consider a trade for another pass rusher while the cornerback position remains uncertain. They are only one or two injuries away from having real problems on the back end of the defense, as we saw in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings when Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine missed the game.

Green Bay could meet the trade deadline and salvage its projected capital, but if general manager Brian Gutekunst decides to move, he should consider making an offer for one of these three dream targets.

3. Azeez Ojulari, Edge, New York Giants

The Packers’ pass rush showed significant improvement over the Texans in Week 7, but there could still be room for more help on the edge, especially if they trade Preston Smith.

Azeez Ojulari could be the perfect trade target. The New York Giants are quickly exiting playoff contention, which could make them hot sellers at the trade deadline. Ojulari is a former second-round pick but is a backup behind Kayvon Thibodeaux (if healthy) and Brian Burns. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Ojulari will draw interest before the trade deadline.

The Packers should make a move. Only 24 years old, Ojulari has been a productive pass rusher for the Giants. He has four sacks and five quarterback hits this season, including three sacks in his last two games.

With Smith facing an uncertain future, the Packers could find a long-term partner for Rashan Gary on the sidelines. A pass rush of Gary, Ojulari, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Smith (unless he’s traded) would set the Packers up nicely for a deep playoff run.

2. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are in free fall. They are 1-6, just lost their starting quarterback for the year and have already started the fire sale by trading Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills. Cornerback Greg Newsome II is a realistic target for the Packers to consider.

Cleveland has good cornerback depth, limiting Newsome to playing most of his snaps in the slot. While he may Since he plays at a high level there, his best performance should be in defense of Jeff Hafley on the outside. This would allow Keisean Nixon to move back to the court (or the bench if the Packers prefer Javon Bullard there), with Newsome starting alongside Jaire Alexander to form a dream cornerback pairing.

Although Newsome didn’t get off to a great start to the season, he has proven throughout his career that he is a good starter. Last year, he defended 14 passes, intercepted two and returned one for a touchdown. According to Pro Football Reference, he only allowed a passer rating of 74.8 in his coverage.

The former first-round pick, who is only 24 years old, still has many years ahead of him. The Browns picked up his fifth-year option, ensuring Newsome is under contract through 2025. He could help Green Bay’s defense in both the short and long term.

1. Maxx Crosby, Edge, Las Vegas Raiders

Hey, we said Dream Goals for a reason. The chances of the Packers trading for Maxx Crosby are close to zero, but not impossible. The Las Vegas Raiders probably won’t accept any offers, and even if they did, the Packers almost certainly won’t meet their demands.

However, as fans, we can justify why Green Bay is this way should Try to make the blockbuster of all blockbuster trades before the November 5th deadline.

The Packers have a team talented enough to compete for a Super Bowl. Jordan Love can only handle a handful of quarterbacks in the league, and Hafley’s defense is playing at a championship level. As mentioned, the pass rush improved against Houston, but there are still concerns.

Crosby would change that. He would transform the Packers’ defense.

Since the start of the 2022 season, Crosby has recorded 33.5 sacks, 78 quarterback hits and a league-best 55 tackles for loss. He rarely leaves the field, puts in incredible effort on every snap, and makes game-changing plays against the pass and run.

Opponents would have no choice but to double Crosby, creating favorable one-on-one duels for Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark. Add to that the blitzing abilities of Edgerrin Cooper and the defensive backs, and Hafley would have an all-star cast to work with.

More Packers news and analysis